Death Warrant — Vigil and Service of Remembrance

Governor Rick Scott signed a death warrant for Oba Chandler.
We will hold a vigil in front of the Governor’s mansion on the day and time of the execution — Tuesday, November 15th at 4 p.m.
On the next day, Wednesday, November 16, at 12 noon there will be a Service of Remembrance for Mr. Chandler and the victims at the Rotunda of the Capitol.

Please join us.

The Death Penalty: Evolving Issues in Florida

The Florida State University Center for the Advancement of Human Rights & the American Bar Association present:The Death Penalty: Evolving Issues in Florida

A two-hour forum that will include perspective and commentary from FSU President Emeritus, former Dean of the College of Law and former American Bar Association President Talbot “Sandy” D’Alemberte; former Florida Supreme Court Justice Raoul Cantero; 2nd Judicial Circuit Judge Janet Ferris (retired); 18th Judicial Circuit Judge O.H. Eaton (retired) and former member of the ABA Florida Death Penalty Assessment Team; Harry Shorstein, former Fourth Read More

This weekend and more …

THIS Saturday and Sunday we will be signing holiday cards for prisoners. Every year we sign holiday cards for the prisoners on Florida’s Death Row. The cards and a calendar purchased by Kindred Spirits are sent to every person on Death Row in December. As in previous years, Robert and Nancy Smith Fichter are graciously opening their home for the card signing. Please come by and sign as many cards as you can. All are invited.

· Saturday, November 12 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
· Sunday, November 13 – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
· Location: 710 Waverly Road, Tallahassee 32312

Death Warrant
Governor Rick Scott signed a Death Warrant and has scheduled the killing of Oba Chandler for Tuesday, November 15th at 4 p.m. We will hold a vigil on that day and time in front of the Governor’s mansion. On the following day, Wednesday, November 16, at 12 noon there will be a Service of Remembrance for Mr. Chandler and the victims at the Rotunda of the Capitol. Please join us.

Sheila Meehan
Tallahassee Citizens Against the Death Penalty

Florida lawmaker proposes firing squads for death row inmates

By Toluse Olorunnipa, Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau
In Print: TALLAHASSEE — At least one Florida lawmaker wants to test the limits of cruel and unusual punishment with what he calls a “lead cocktail.”
Rep. Brad Drake, a Republican from the Panhandle town of Eucheeanna, has filed legislation to introduce firing squads to Florida’s death row.
The idea, Drake said, grew out of a recent controversy surrounding the state’s new lethal injection practice. Last month, Manuel Valle was executed with a cocktail of drugs never before used in a Florida execution. The drug pentobarbital knocks inmates unconscious before a second drug paralyzes them and a third stops the heart. Read More

Valle Executed

Important — from Mark Elliott of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty:
Valle Executed

“The struggle for justice doesn’t end with me. This struggle is for all the Troy Davises who came before me and all the ones who will come after me.” — Troy Davis

Friends,

After an afternoon of misinformation from the some media reports, it has been confirmed by the Governor’s office and the DOC that Manuel Valle was pronounced dead at 7:14 pm Eastern Time.

The 4:00 pm execution had been put on hold for almost 3 hours to await a U.S. Supreme Court decision on a stay. The stay was denied and the execution commenced. It is not yet confirmed that Manuel Valle was on the gurney with IV’s started during the entire wait.

There were a dozen execution vigils and protests around our state today. Thanks to every one of you who are working to end this madness in whatever way you can. Writing Letters to the Editor, calls, emails, letters and visits to your representatives, supporting FADP…are all needed. Working together we will see an end to executions in our time…for all time.

“Never Stop Fighting for Justice and We will Win!”

—Troy Anthony Davis, Oct. 9, 1968 – Sept. 21, 2011

Shine the light,

—Mark

Reminder

Please join us at 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, September 28th in front of Rick Scott’s mansion in Tallahassee. Join us again on Thursday at 12 noon at the Rotunda in the Capitol for a Service of Remembrance for Manuel Valle and victim, Louis Pena.

Thank you.

Sheila Meehan
TCADP

Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, files a bill to abolish the death penalty in Florida.

Less than a week before the state is scheduled to execute Manuel Valle, a Democratic House member has filed a bill to abolish the death penalty in Florida.

The measure (HB 4051), filed Thursday, would do away with the death penalty and instead sentence the state’s worst offenders to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Read More

Up date on TCADP upcoming actions

Dear Friends,

The killing of Troy Davis in Georgia last night after 7 so-called eye witnesses recanted their testimony is further evidence that the U.S. death penalty “system” is terribly broken. Thank you to everyone who helped to bring attention to his case and signed petitions on his behalf.

We want to correct an error in the email earlier in the week concerning Manuel Valle who is scheduled to be killed in Florida at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, September 28th. Rosh Hashana begins at sundown on September 28 and we were told that Mr. Valle is Jewish. However, it turns out that Manuel Valle is, in fact, Catholic with a devoted Catholic family in Cuba. We apologize for the mistake, but it certainly doesn’t change the fact that his execution will occur on a day that is important and a high holiday for many.

Please join us at 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, September 28th in front of Rick Scott’s mansion in Tallahassee. Join us again on Thursday at 12 noon at the Rotunda in the Capitol for a Service of Remembrance for Manuel Valle and victim, Louis Pena.

Thank you.

Sheila Meehan
TCADP

Manuel Valle’s petition -Broward Palm Beach New Times Blog

South Florida-  Manuel Valle’s petition asking for a stay of execution was denied today by the Florida Supreme Court.

His scheduled date with death remains September 28, 2011, at 4 p.m. Read More

Davis executed

The New York Times sums it up.

Troy Davis Is Executed in Georgia for Murder of Police Officer

Troy Davis was put to death by lethal injection late Wednesday night at the state prison here, two decades after his conviction for the murder of a Savannah police officer.

The execution of Mr. Davis, 42, by lethal injection, came after the United States Supreme Court refused to step in, issuing a one-sentence decision four hours after the execution was scheduled to begin.
Mr. Davis’s lawyers had asked the court to examine what they said were “substantial constitutional errors” in the murder trial.