Gov. Bush sets executions dates for Rolling and Rutherford

You can read the Tallahassee Democrat’s overview of the Governor’s action by clicking on Execution dates.

Execution dates

A.D. Rutherford Danny Rollin

News Update: Hill/Muhammad Execution

From: Mark Elliott,
Spokesperson, FADP - Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty
c/p (727) 215-9646
Fax (727) 397-6245
mark@fadp.org

Friends,

Important news about the ClarenceHill/Razzaq Muhammad execution.

The vigil at Raiford last night was attended by over 50 concerned Floridians from diverse religious, ethnic and racial backgrounds…united in their opposition to the Death Penalty. A bus from the Orlando Diocese brought several dozen folks, picking them up at cities across mid-Florida. There were local vigils held around the state.

Read More

Sentence carried out ….

Clarence E Hill/Bro. Razzaq Muhammad put to death by the State Of Florida.

No stay in Clarence Hill Case

Sad news. The report has just arrived that the U.S. Supreme Court denied Clarence Hill’s appeal in a 5-4 vote. He will be executed at 6:00 p.m. They voted 5-4 to deny another stay. Justices Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, David Souter and John Paul Stevens would have granted the stay, the court said in a two-sentence order.

TCADP will hold two services.

VIGIL at the Governor’s Mansion tonight, beginning shortly before 6:00.
SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE at the Capitol Rotunda tomorrow (Thursday) at noon.

Clarence E Hill/Bro. Razzaq Muhammad in his own words

Friends,
I just received this letter from Christine McDonald. (Note - What happens in Florida’s execution chamber is hidden from view by curtains, until all is ready. In the chamber are usually two prison guards and a prison official. An FDLE agent is present nearby as an observer, but is not allowed to take notes or make a report. No records are kept and no photos taken. Florida does not allow family members or friends of the condemned prisoner in the execution chamber theater seats - usually, only original victim’s family members and witnesses from the press. A buffet is served.

Mark

Clarence E Hill/Bro. Razzaq Muhammad in his own words:

“Yes, they strapped me down to their cross and they put the killing needles in my
arms and blood had run all down on the floor when they had to take them out nearly
two hours later. They kept me strapped to this cross from 5:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. I
was in so much pain the whole time and they walked all around me, looking at me
strapped down and in pain and they were all dressed in their Sunday best clothes and
they all came to witness a killing. I saw all of them watching me and talking, but no
one were there to help me, only to see me killed. They are not human beings because no human being could stand to kill a man or watch a man being killed in this way.
And one of them was a woman who I have seen and have talked to many times. She
help to strap me to this cross to kill me. But Almighty Allah said No this will not be
done. And freed me from their evil and gave me the needed strength to get up and
walk out of there with my head held high. No human being can do this to another and go home and eat dinner with their family.
I was in great pain the whole time, but I did not cry out for their help. I gave
praise to Allah my creator and my only words for the two long painful hours was:
“Ashhadu Allaa Illaaha Illallaah. Ashhadu Anna Muhammadur Rasoolullah.”
Meaning {I bear witness there is no God but Allah. I bear witness that Muhammad is
the Messenger of Allah.} Those are my only words.”
Clarence E Hill/Bro. Razzaq Muhammad

Death Row appeals support under fire ..

Critics are questioning whether state officials timed the release of a recent critical report about the chief attorneys of the two Florida death penalty appeals offices to undermine the program and ensure that the two men are not reappointed.

The report, by the Florida Department of Financial Services, headed by Republican Tom Gallagher, the state’s chief financial officer, was released late last month.

Read the entire piece here. Business Review

Supreme Court appeal

An article in today’s New York Times indicates the Clarence Hill case is once again working it’s way to the Supreme Court.

New York Times article.

America Bar Association report comes out ….

Dear TCADP & Kindred Spirits,

Below is the link to the “media kit” distributed by the ABA re: the Assessment of the Death Penalty. Once you click on it you will see a map. Click on Florida and follow from there. Assessment of the Death Penalty