Connecticut is on the verge of repealing the state’s death penalty. The legislation passed in the Senate and will be voted on in the House next week. This action is expected to save Connecticut taxpayers $5 million a year. This will be the 5th state in 5 years to end the use of death penalty. In addition, Oregon’s governor has declared a moratorium. Other states are steadily moving closer to abolition.

In stark contrast, Florida has plans to kill David Gore next week. The following events are scheduled:

Tomorrow is Good Friday, a day when Pax Christi, the Catholic Conference, and TCADP unite in front of the Old Capitol at noon to say the Stations of the Cross. These are not the traditional prayers, but instead they are oriented to the execution of Jesus and how it relates to executions today
One week from today, on Thursday, April 12, the State of Florida will execute David Gore at 6 pm. We will gather in front of the Governor’s mansion at that time for a vigil.
On the following day, Friday, April 13, there will be a Service of Remembrance at 12 noon at the Rotunda of the Capitol to remember Mr. Gore and his victims.

Sheila Meehan
TCADP Board

Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, has advanced Dillon’s cause for the last two years. But the House had refused to consider what’s called a “claims” bill for Dillon last session, despite overwhelming evidence that he hadn’t committed the crime.

This time, with Dillon, his girlfriend and legal team looking on from the House gallery, the outcome was different.

“It’s been a long journey,” Dillon told reporters after the vote as he fought back tears.

Dillon, 52, was convicted in the Aug. 17, 1981, killing of James Dvorak, whose badly beaten body was found along a stretch of Canova Beach. There was eyewitness testimony that he had been seen near the body, and law enforcement determined his alibi was not reliable.

In 2005, the Innocence Project took up Dillon’s case and tested the bloody T-shirt used against him in court. The DNA on it wasn’t his. And in December 2008, prosecutors dropped all charges after Dillon won a new trial, saying they no longer had enough evidence to convict him because many of the original witnesses were dead.

One key witness, a now-deceased dog handler used by Brevard prosecutors in numerous trials, had connected Dillon’s scent to the T-shirt with the victim’s blood on it. But judges in both Arizona and Florida determined the dog handler was a fraud.

A DNA expert determined through trace evidence that at least two other individuals had worn the bloody shirt, but Dillon’s DNA was not on it.

One Titusville jailhouse witness, Roger Dale Chapman, told House and Senate judicial officers examining Dillon’s case in 2009, that he had testified against Dillon only after an investigator threatened him with prison time for an aggravated sexual-assault case.

Another key witness had sex with the lead investigator and was then threatened with prison time if she did not testify against Dillon. She later changed her story multiple times.

Dillon said e considered the bill passage to be the apology he never got from the goverent agencies involved in his conviction.

Dillon’s case has been championed by former Florida State University President Talbot “Sandy” D’Alemberte, and Cocoa lobbyist Guy Spearman, who both worked the case at no charge.

D’Alemberte sat next to Dillon Friday has he cried when the final 107-5 vote was announced.

“When I was released I had grandeurs … that they were going to stop me at the door and say ‘Mr. Dillon, we’re so sorry for what happened to you,’ and that never really happened,” Dillon said. “I realized through the years it wasn’t about the dollar values, it was just about somebody saying ‘We’re sorry for what we did to you.’ That’s really what it was about.”

The bill, (HB 141) was amended to explicitly prohibit Dillon from recovering damages from any other government in his case, and heads back the Senate which passed it at the beginning of the 60-day legislative session.

A handful of House lawmakers argued the process for contemplating claims bills was flawed or pointed out that Dillon had a prior conviction and didn’t qualify under Florida’s law for speeding up such claims. A year before his arrest, Dillon had been stopped while driving drunk and had a marijuana joint in his pocket, a conviction that led to probation and a $175 fine.
They were out-voted.

“There is no dollar amount that will give this man his 27 years back. It will not happen,” House Speaker-designate Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, said on the floor. “But to say that because the process is flawed … we don’t have to right a wrong, is wrong.

“We all live in glass houses,” he said. “I’ve done a lot of things in my life I’m not proud of. But I can be proud of voting for this bill today.”

Please join us.

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 Judicial Circuit State Attorney and former member of the ABA Florida Death Penalty Assessment Team; Mike Minerva, CEO, Innocence Project of Florida, former 2nd Judicial Circuit Public Defender and former member of the ABA Florida Death Penalty Assessment Team; Stephen Hanlon, Chairman, The Constitution Project, and former Chairman of the ABA Steering Committee; Mark Olive, renowned capital case litigator; Chris Slobogin, law professor at Vanderbilt University and former chair of the ABA Florida Death Penalty Assessment Team, Les Garringer, executive director of the Florida Innocence Commission and former Monroe County Judge, and Frank Patterson, Dean, FSU College of Motion Picture Arts.

When: Monday, November 14th from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Where: FSU College of Law Rotunda, 425 W. Jefferson St. (across from the Leon County Civic Center)
*sponsored in cooperation with The Constitution Project
This special event is free and open to the public.

“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

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.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, said the state can save a lot of money without sacrificing public safety by doing away with the lengthy appellate process that is required in all death row cases.
The average death row inmate spends more than 12 years on death row. “If the issue is public safety, we can save money and put more law enforcement on the streets,” Vasilinda said Thursday. “it just seems that the money could be better spent.”
Last year, Vasilinda filed an identical bill, which died without being heard.

From the Florida Courier

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

Valle’s lawyers filed the petition late last week, claiming a Florida law prevented Valle’s attorneys from representing him in a civil action related to a denied clemency hearing.

Faced with claims that the Florida law was unconstitutional, the Supreme Court ruled that the petition “points to no persuasive authority” that shows the section of the law violates the state constitution.

As you may remember, Valle, 61, has been given a date to die three times now since Gov. Rick Scott first signed a death warrant for Valle’s lethal injection to take place on August 2.

A federal court in Atlanta already put a stay on the execution — which was scheduled for September 6 — to listen to a claim about a possible clemency hearing, and that was denied, although Valle’s lawyers filed a petition on that ruling with the U.S. Supreme Court.

Before that, Valle was to be executed on August 2, but the Florida Supreme Court stayed his execution and remanded the case to Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Jacqueline Hogan Scola, who oversaw a hearing on the use of the state’s new lethal-injection drug, pentobarbital.

Valle, convicted of killing a Coral Gables cop in 1978, has been locked up at the Florida State Prison in Raiford since May 16, 1978, and on death row for just over 30 years now since being sentenced to death on August 4, 1981.

The last execution in Florida was on February 16, 2010, for Martin Grossman, who was convicted in 1984 at age 19 of killing a state wildlife officer, and each of the three inmates executed by the state before Valle spent more than 23 years on death row, according to South Florida cop killer 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.

Valle’s lawyers filed the petition late last week, claiming a Florida law prevented Valle’s attorneys from representing him in a civil action related to a denied clemency hearing.

Faced with claims that the Florida law was unconstitutional, the Supreme Court ruled that the petition “points to no persuasive authority” that shows the section of the law violates the state constitution.

As you may remember, Valle, 61, has been given a date to die three times now since Gov. Rick Scott first signed a death warrant for Valle’s lethal injection to take place on August 2.

A federal court in Atlanta already put a stay on the execution — which was scheduled for September 6 — to listen to a claim about a possible clemency hearing, and that was denied, although Valle’s lawyers filed a petition on that ruling with the U.S. Supreme Court.

Before that, Valle was to be executed on August 2, but the Florida Supreme Court stayed his execution and remanded the case to Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Jacqueline Hogan Scola, who oversaw a hearing on the use of the state’s new lethal-injection drug, pentobarbital.

Valle, convicted of killing a Coral Gables cop in 1978, has been locked up at the Florida State Prison in Raiford since May 16, 1978, and on death row for just over 30 years now since being sentenced to death on August 4, 1981.

The last execution in Florida was on February 16, 2010, for Martin Grossman, who was convicted in 1984 at age 19 of killing a state wildlife officer, and each of the three inmates executed by the state before Valle spent more than 23 years on death row, according to Florida Department of Corrections records.

Valle’s appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court is still pending.

Valle’s appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court is still pending.

On behalf of the board of Tallahassee Citizens Against the Death Penalty, I have some bad news and some good announcements – all for early September – 6, 7, and 11.

The Governor has set a new date for the killing of Manuel Valle. It is now scheduled for Tuesday, September 6 at 6 p.m.

Please attend the Vigil in front of the Governor’s mansion on September 6th at 6 p.m. This will be the first in the Scott administration.

On the following day, Wednesday, September 7th, we will gather at the Capitol Rotunda at 12 noon for a Memorial Service for Mr. Valle and for victim, Louis Pena.

———————
BILL DILLON – Exonerated through DNA in 2008

On Wednesday evening, September 7th you will have the opportunity to hear Bill Dillon perform at The Moon in Tallahassee.  Dillon was exonerated through DNA evidence after spending 27 ½ years in prison for a crime he did not commit.  He is a songwriter and recording artist and will be performing songs from his new CD, Black Robes & Lawyers, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.  Donations accepted. For more information: www.FloridaInnocence.org

—————————-

DALE S. RECINELLA

Sunday, September 11 at 2:00 pm – O’Brien Hall – St. Thomas More Co-Cathedral

Dale will share his amazing story from high-powered lawyer to Catholic Correctional Chaplain on Florida’s Death Row. Dale’s latest book describes his journey from growing up in the slums of Detroit to racing through “the good life” on Wall Street to finally walking the path of ministry on Death Row.  Dale is an outstanding and inspiring speaker and someone who has much to offer to the movement.

His most recent book, Now I Walk on Death Row will be available for purchase.

Co-sponsored by Pax Christi and TCADP

Note: St. Thomas More Co-Cathedral is on Tennessee & Woodward Avenue in Tallahassee.

Sheila Meehan
TCADP Board

Valle was convicted of the 1978 killing of a Coral Gables police officer, and first sentenced in 1981. He then waged a decades-long series of appeals, including most recently a challenge to Florida’s lethal injection drug mixture and procedures, which allowed him to delay his scheduled execution.

The Florida Supreme Court issued a ruling Thursday allowing the execution to proceed. It is scheduled for Sept. 1.

The bishops argue that a sentence of life without parole would be enough to ensure public safety, and that “human dignity – that of the convicted as well as our own – is best served by not resorting to this extreme and unnecessary punishment.” Their full announcement is below:

Tallahassee, FL – In an August 3, 2011 letter to Governor Rick Scott, the bishops of Florida urged the governor to stay the execution of Manuel Valle scheduled for September 1, 2011. Non-lethal means of punishment protect society and respect the life of all persons, even those who have done great harm. Text of the letter follows: #

Dear Governor Scott,

We renew our appeal to you to end the use of the death penalty in our state. We urge you to stay the execution of Manuel Valle scheduled for September 1, 2011.

We concede the right of the State to impose the death penalty when absolutely necessary, that is when it is otherwise impossible to defend society.  However, given the ability of Florida to protect its residents by incarcerating inmates for life without possibility of parole, we pray you will exercise that option.

Willful murder is a heinous crime; it cries to God for justice.  Yet, God did not require Cain’s life for having spilt Abel’s blood.  While God certainly punished history’s first murderer, he nevertheless put a mark on him to protect Cain from those wishing to kill him to avenge Abel’s murder (cf. Genesis 4:15).  Like Cain, the condemned prisoner on death row – for all the evil of his crimes – remains a person.  Human dignity – that of the convicted as well as our own – is best served by not resorting to this extreme and unnecessary punishment.  Modern society has the means to protect itself without the death penalty.

The killing of Officer Louis Pena caused great suffering and pain for his family and friends, and we pray they were consoled as they mourned the loss of their loved one. We are hopeful that Officer Gary Spell and his family are healed from his traumatic experience as he came to the aid of his fellow officer. An execution re-opens the emotional wounds of victim’s families and does not bring back or honor their loved one. True peace can only be achieved by forgiveness.

Killing someone because they killed diminishes respect for life and promotes a culture of violence and vengeance. We affirm the right and duty of the State to assure public safety and punish the guilty by incarceration, which allows the inmate an opportunity for reflection on their offenses and sorrow for the pain they have caused others.

Governor, we ask you to stop state sanctioned killing by sparing the life of Manuel Valle, allowing him to serve out his sentence in prison for the rest of his natural life.

Respectfully in the Lord,

Most Reverend Thomas G. Wenski
Archdiocese of Miami

Most Revered Gerald M. Barbarito
Diocese of Palm Beach

Most Reverend Robert N. Lynch
Diocese of St. Petersburg

Most Reverend Frank J. Dewane
Diocese of Venice

Most Reverend John G. Noonan
Diocese of Orlando

Most Reverend Felipe J. Estévez
Diocese of St. Augustine