TCADP

Upcoming action

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 01:31:21 +0000

1. A coalition of a variety of organizations is holding a phone media conference this Friday morning in an attempt to stop Florida’s execution of Martin Grossman, which is scheduled for next Tues. The participants include some public figures, representatives of peace organizations and religious institutions, and our member, Agnes Furey, a survivor of homicide, is also scheduled to be part of this.

2. Despite 10,000 people signing petitions requesting that Martin Grossman not be executed, Gov. Crist says he still plans to execute Grossman Tues. Feb. 16. If it goes as scheduled, at 6 p.m. Tues. please come stand outside the governor’s mansion at 6 p.m. Tues. Feb. 16 as we hold a vigil to reflect our opposition to the death penalty, and come to the memorial service we’ll hold Weds. at noon in the courtyard between the old and new capitols.

3. Sat. Feb. 27 free public workshop to train death penalty opponents about advocating for ending the death penalty. This is the beginning of our campaign to add Florida to the 15 states and D.C. that don’t impose the death penalty. It will be 12:45-4:30 in Program Room B of the Leroy Collins Public Library.

Please come to the workshop and also invite others. We’re particularly interested in involving students in this movement, so please share this information with professors and college and high school students and their organizations.

The workshop will include: experts’ presentations on legal, ethical, religious, racial, and financial problems with the death penalty; presentations by a homicide survivor and by a former journalist who witnessed an execution; instruction from an experienced legislative lobbyist; and it will conclude with a documentary about an innocent man who spent almost 18 years on Florida’s death row.

We will give free TCADP T-shirts to the first 15 attendees.

Thank you for reading this.

Louise Ritchie
Chair, TCADP

admin — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:13:11 +0000

Subject: Important message about pending execution of Martin Grossman

Dear TCADP Members,

This updates the message that I sent last week about how Florida Alternatives to the Death Penalty is requesting our help in attempting to prevent the execution of Martin Grossman, which is scheduled for Feb. 16. The letter that is being organized by Rabbi Zvi Boyarski at the Aleph Institute. Individuals and organizations who can sign on should do so by e-mailing their

Name

Title

Organization

City

State

To zvi@aleph-http://www.facebook.com/l/7bff7;institute.org as soon as possible.

Please also share this info with others who may wish to sign the letter.

Thank you for your help.

Louise Ritchie

Chair, Tallahassee Citizens Against the Death Penalty

Petition:

Jan. 29, 2010 Petition to Support a Grant of Time to Present a Petition for Commutation in the Case of Martin Grossman To: The Honorable Charles Crist, Governor, State of Florida

We write to request a 60-day stay of execution to enable a concerned community to pre¬pare a clemency petition to the Executive Clemency Board of the State of Florida asking for commutation of sentence, from death to life without parole, in the case of Martin Grossman.

We feel conscience-driven to do this because the Grossman case is so differ¬ent from other death sentence cases that we feel you may agree with us that Martin Grossman does not deserve to die for his crime.

Martin was a troubled youth suffering from incipient paranoia, adjustment problems, lack of judgment, drug addiction, and panic attacks when, as a 19-year-old, he was startled and stopped by a park security officer, Margaret Parks, whom he killed in a hand-to-hand struggle.

Although he was mentally disturbed and out of control at the time, his trial went awry because the crime fit the technical definition of “premeditated murder” for the simple reason that Martin was on probation from a youth facility (for burglary) at that time.

His probation violation being a “crime,” he was considered to have killed the officer while committing another crime, and thus, premeditation. This technical definition made Martin eligible for the death penalty.

Martin’s father was a military man who had been disabled and then died. The family was without funds for a vigorous defense.

In addition, this death sentence case is different from others because:

1. Martin shot while in a state of “frenzy and panic,” and he did not plan to kill her (or anyone else) at the time.

2. Martin’s sentence was extremely disproportionate to other criminals who receive the death sentence, and was not worse than many, many other criminals who receive considerably less punishment. His co-defendant got only three years.

3. Martin has an IQ of 77, and at the time of the crime was uneducated, unsocialized, and suffered from a seizure disorder and possible organic brain dysfunction since earliest childhood. He probably misunderstood the nature of his crime and surely was not able to cooperate in his own defense to the degree needed.

4. Martin’s tragic childhood and adolescence was never adequately presented to jury, judge or appeals courts. In the sentencing phase, 30 out of 33 of the witnesses he wanted were not called, and the terrible result was the ultimate penalty.

5. Martin has an intact and humane conscience, and has suffered constantly from remorse and contrition for his crime. He is not a manipulative or cagey person with the ability to “fake good” – his intellectual limitations make it clear that his emotional presentation is honest and uncontrived.

6. There were many irregularities both with Martin’s trial and with the appeals and post-conviction actions. Many of the errors were admitted by one court or another but characterized as “harmless errors.”

The cumulative effect of these errors, however, was to make it much harder for the unfortunate genuine fact situation to be clearly seen. That fact situation would not lead a jury, in this time and place, to conclude that Martin Grossman should be put to death.

In the event that Governor Crist will not grant that commutation outright, we the undersigned beseech the Governor to mercifully grant a 60 day stay which will allow for a comprehensive clemency petition to be assembled, presented and considered. We strongly allowing for a consideration of the issues presented are in the interest of the State of Florida in tempering justice with mercy.

Name Address

Signature

——————–

Tallahassee Citizens Against the Death Penalty Update

admin — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:09:00 +0000

Tallahassee Citizens Against the Death Penalty Update

Dear TCADP members: Here’s an update about the pending execution of Martin Grossman, and about a talk by Mayor John Marks that TCADP is cosponsoring Feb. 2.

Florida Alternatives to the Death Penalty has requested our help in doing the following in connection with the execution of Martin Grossman, which is scheduled for Feb. 16.

1. Write letters and call Governor Charlie Crist to ask him to call for a time-out on executions and do a thorough study of Florida’s Death Penalty. Tell him to PLEASE STOP signing Death Warrants. Florida’s governor has the decision-making authority to do this. Letters can be short, even two to three sentences long.

2. Sign up to receive future action alerts and news from Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP) at http://www.facebook.com/l/b107b;www.fadp.org/esubscribe.html.

3. Forward this action to a friend (or five!) and have them contact Governor Crist too.”

For talking points and more information: http://www.facebook.com/l/b107b;www.fadp.org/takeact.html

In other updates about that impending execution. FADP Executive Director Mark Elliott says, “Grossman’s attorneys have filed a brief in the Florida Supreme Court asking to present oral arguments on Feb. 9. Grossman is asking for an evidentiary hearing into his mental health at the time of the crime. This would impact his sentence, not his guilt.

Many in the Jewish community are very interested Martin Grossman’s case and are seeking ways to help. There is a fast-forming network developing to put together tools to utilize.’

I will let you know when I hear updates about more link to on-line networks and petition sites.

Please let Mark Elliott know if you’d like to be included in strategy e-mails on this: melliott3@aol.com

TCADP is co-sponsoring the below free event with Pax Chrisiti and FSU’s Center for the Advancement of Human Rights:

MAYOR JOHN MARKS will speak on Black History Month and the influence of Martin Luther King, Jr. on his life

TUESDAY, FEB. 2, 2010, at 7 p.m.

ST. THOMAS MORE CO-CATHEDRAL

O’BRIEN HALL

(CORNER OF TENNESSEE & WOODWARD)

For more information about this event, contact Shirley Poore - 850-893-6838 - bpoore@earthlink.net

Thank you for reading this message.

Louise Ritchie, Chair, TCADP

admin — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:48:54 +0000

PAX CHRISTI TALLAHASSEE*

INVITES YOU TO HEAR

MAYOR JOHN MARKS

speak on

BLACK HISTORY MONTH & THE INFLUENCE OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. ON HIS LIFE

TUESDAY, FEB. 2, 2010

ST. THOMAS MORE CO-CATHEDRAL

O’BRIEN HALL

(CORNER OF TENNESSEE & WOODWARD)

7:pm

Info: Shirley Poore – 850-893-6838 – bpoore@earthlink.net

*CO-SPONSORS

FSU CENTER FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS

TALLAHASSEE CITIZENS AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY

Equal Justice USA

admin — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:30:23 +0000

EJUSA is a national leader in the movement to halt executions. The Equal Justice Edition is our online news and action tool delivered to your inbox once every other week. (On rare occasions, we may contact you in between for for time-sensitive action alerts).

Sign up for the Equal Justice Edition

Equal Justice USA

This is an excellent source for information nationally. Recommended by Shelia Meehan.

Forum to focus on Florida Death Penalty

admin — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:59:52 +0000

FORUM Weds. Sept. 16 TO FOCUS ON FLORIDA DEATH PENALTY

Three years after the American Bar Association completed one of the most comprehensive studies to date on the fairness and accuracy of the death penalty in Florida, some of the state’s best legal minds will gather at The Florida State University to examine the ABA’s findings and discuss what, if anything, has changed in the administration of capital punishment.

“The Florida Death Penalty: A Retrospective on the ABA Assessment on Capital Punishment in Florida — What has Changed and What Remains the Same?” will consist of three, one-hour panel discussions featuring judges, lawyers, researchers and a citizen who was exonerated after spending 17 years on Florida’s death row.

Panelists will focus on a range of problems identified in the 2006 ABA report, including ineffective defense counsel, prosecutorial issues, juror confusion, clemency, wrongful conviction and Florida’s unique status as the only death penalty state in the country that allows a jury to decide if sufficient aggravating circumstances exist and allows the jury to recommend a sentence of death by a mere majority vote. They also will discuss the fiscal implications of the death penalty and the propriety of alternatives to capital punishment. The ABA report did not support or oppose capital punishment. To access the full report, visit www.abavideonews.org/ABA340/.

The forum, hosted by the FSU Center for the Advancement of Human Rights and sponsored by the American Bar Association, is free and open to the public. It will be held:

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 16

NOON - 3 P.M.

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW

ROTUNDA

425 W. JEFFERSON ST., TALLAHASSEE

Public parking is available across the street at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center. The forum also will be webcast live at http://campus.fsu.edu/ABA.

Film Screening of Juan Melendez - 6446 August 13 @ 7pm

admin — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 20:58:22 +0000

A Documentary Film Screening Sponsored by the Innocence Project of Florida and
Tallahassee Citizens Against the Death Penalty in opposition to the pending execution of John Marek

“Juan Meléndez - 6446″ tells the incredible, true story of Juan Meléndez, who was sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit. A Puerto Rican migrant farmer raised in New York City, Meléndez was accused of murder in the state of Florida. While claiming his innocence, Juan Meléndez was convicted and put on death row for 17 years, 8 months and 1 day. Told by Meléndez, his mother, lawyers and friends, this personal drama illustrates the legal, political and public policy issues surrounding the application of the death penalty in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

30 minute discussion about the death penalty with Juan Melendez afterward

All Saints Cinema
918 1/2 Railroad Ave., Tallahassee, FL
(located inside the Amtrak Rail Station)

Free Admission, Donations Welcome

Death warrent signed

admin — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 20:51:24 +0000

Dear Friends:

Governor Crist signed a death warrant for John Marek, WEDNESDAY
AUGUST 19TH, 6PM.(Marek received a stay May 13, 2009). Please
join others at the Governor’s Mansion 5:45 for a prayer vigil. August 20th there will be a commemorative service at the Great Seal, Florida Capitol

Pax Christi will continue to meet twice a month:

September 10th, Thursday, 5:15 Peace Liturgy, St. Thomas More followed by a meeting at 6pm in Room 3. There will be a short video:
WHAT IS PAX CHRISTI? & a calendar of events presented.

September 23rd, Wednesday. PC meets at Good Shepherd after the 9am Mass in Room 201. Short Video - What is P.C.? & calendar of events.

Pax Christi Annual Assembly, Sept 19-20- Life Enrichment Center, near Leesburg, Fl. All are welcome. Please contact: Shirley Poore, bpoore@earthlink.net or tel: 893-6838 - to register: Pax Christi Florida
website. For transportation call Shirley

CALL TO ACTION!

admin — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 01:33:34 +0000

Subject: TAKE ACTION: CONTINUE THE TIME-OUT ON EXECUTIONS!
*Please forward and post widely*

Dear friends,
Late last year, executions in Florida were put on hold because of the flawed
process of lethal injection. Now that a government commission has reviewed the lethal injection process (www.fadp.org, Governor’s Commission on the Administrationof Lethal Injection Releases Report), Florida needs to continue the time-out on executions and review the entire death penalty system and all of its flaws.

YOUR involvement is critical to halt executions and study the capital punishment system!
TWO THINGS YOU CAN DO TODAY:
Choose one, or both if you can!

**********************************
1. Write letters, emails, and call Governor Charlie Crist to tell him to
maintain the current time-out on executions and do a thorough study of the death penalty. (See AP article below about the need for communication with Crist)
2. Forward this alert to a friend (or five!) and have them contact Governor
Crist too!
***********************************

COMMUNICATIONS WITH GOVERNOR CRIST

Each one of us can make a difference! This is about quantity. Shortletters
(even 2-3 sentences) are great! See talking points below for ideas.

ADDRESS:
Gov. Charlie Crist
The Capitol
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399

PHONE: 850-488-7146
FAX: 850-487-0801

EMAIL: Charlie.Crist@myflorida.com
**********************************************
TALKING POINTS:
Pick what resonates with you–
Thank you for launching an Open Government study of the method and protocols of lethal injection and the circumstances involving the December 15th execution of Angel Diaz. It is clear that the protocols need to be rewritten, and any process moving forward should ensure that the new protocols are thoughtfully developed and properly vetted through a public process that allows the citizens of Florida to understand clearly this uniquely serious action that the State takes.

Lethal injection involves a medical procedure and should be overseen by
well-trained medical professionals. Florida’s Death penalty lawyers are untrained and under funded. The performance of appointed lawyers in Florida has been criticized on numerous occasions, including by the Florida Supreme Court. Some lawyers have little or no experience in death penalty cases and do not raise the correct issues in trials.

Since 1973, 123 death row inmates have been released after evidence proved they were innocent, including 22 in Florida. We need to figure out what’s gone wrong in these cases so we do not risk executing an innocent person.
The death penalty in Florida costs $51 million a year above and beyond what it would cost to sentence defendants to life without the possibility of parole. Can we really afford such a wasteful system? And aren’t our valuable tax dollars better spent on a measures that would prevent violent crimes?

To be meaningful, justice should be swift and sure. The death penalty is
neither. Capital punishment prolongs pain for victimsâ€™ families, dragging them through an agonizing and lengthy process that holds out the promise of one punishment in the beginning and usually results in a life sentence in the end anyway.

Since 1979, when Florida reinstated the death penalty, none of the 60 executed have been white defendants who killed black victims, and although numerous commissions and task forces have studied and made recommendations to address racial and geographical bias in Floridaâ€™s death penalty law, few of those recommendations have been implemented.

The American Bar Association assessment report found that Floridaâ€™s system is plagued with problems that can lead to wrongful convictions, such as access to DNA testing, the preservation of evidence, and eye witness identification procedures, including lineups and interrogation procedures that increase the likelihood of false confessions.

**AP Article outlining the need for communication to Governor Crist:

February 27, 2007
OHIO - In one of the nation’s busiest death penalty states, letters to Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland are running almost 5-to-1 in favor of ending capital punishment or temporarily stopping it to study the system.
Strickland supports the death penalty, but almost immediately after taking office, he delayed the executions of three condemned killers while he reviewed their cases.

The decision resonated in Ohio, where former Gov. Bob Taft let 24 executions proceed with little hesitation.
An Associated Press review of correspondence Strickland received since his
election and running through Feb. 15 found 125 letters or e-mails from death penalty opponents.
…In FLORIDA, newly elected Gov. Charlie Crist, a Republican and death penalty supporter, has received only 22 letters and e-mails split evenly between capital punishment backers and opponents.

“I wouldn’t say we felt like it was high or low,” Crist spokeswoman Kathy Torian said.
Florida executed 21 inmates under Crist’s predecessor, Republican Jeb Bush. The state has a temporary moratorium on executions while a commission studies whether changes are needed in the way the state carries out the death penalty.

Bush created the commission after December’s botched execution of Angel Nieves Diaz, who survived for more than a half hour after being given two doses of the lethal injection drugs.

*******************************************

Mark Elliott
State Death Penalty Abolitionist
Amnesty Internqational USA

“The time is always right to do what is right.” Martin Luther King

Public Forum: The Death Penalty as Public Policy: Florida Governor Leroy Collins – May 19, 1986

admin — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 17:07:24 +0000

Monday, November 20th, 7:00 p.m.
Community of Faith Church
1533 South Monroe Street
In September 2006 an Assessment Team of the American Bar Association released a report in which
they found numerous flaws in the way the death penalty is administered in Florida.

Our state should have responded to the ABA Assessment by suspending all executions until its findings are addressed. Instead…
Florida responded with 3 executions.

Speakers:
Gail Anderson, Attorney for Prisoners on Death Row
Dale Landry, Tallahassee Chapter of the NAACP
Marty McClain, Attorney for Prisoners on Death Row
Michael Minerva, Florida Death Penalty Assessment Team
Larry Spalding, American Civil Liberties Union of Florida (ACLU)

Moderator:
Sheila Meehan, Tallahassee Citizens Against the Death Penalty

Sponsors:
American Civil Liberties Union of Florida (ACLU)
League of Women Voters of Tallahassee
Tallahassee Chapter of NAACP
Tallahassee Citizens Against the Death Penalty