Category Archives: Capital Punishment

October 12, 2011 · 10:47 pm

Who wants to be humane, anyhow?

A Florida state representative wants to eliminate the use of lethal injections as the means of state-sponsored executions. He doesn’t want to do so because he is opposed to the death penalty. Quite the contrary.

His argument seems to be that lethal injections are too sensitive – too humane. He wants to replace lethal injections with the electric chair. And he proposes providing the option of a firing squad.

He only moves in that direction because his preferred method of execution does not appear feasible: “If it were up to me we would just throw them off the Sunshine Skyway bridge and be done with it,” Drake said in an article posted by the Florida Current.

“I am so tired of being humane to inhumane people,” he is quoted as saying.

By all means! Who wants to be humane, anyhow?

Of course, if we stop acting in a humane fashion, what does that make us?

See you along the Trail.

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October 11, 2011 · 9:51 pm

Four on the death penalty

From the United Nations News Centre:

11 October 2011 – The United Nations human rights office today said it is deeply distressed by the recent execution in Saudi Arabia of 10 men, eight of whom were foreign migrant workers, and called on the country to establish a moratorium on the use of the death penalty.

From the UN Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights:

“The death penalty is carried out in ways that violate international norms, such as the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as well as anti-discrimination standards,” said UN Human Rights chief Navi Pillay in an opinion piece on the question of the death penalty.

From Project Hope to Abolish the Death Penalty (in Alabama):

Alabama has set October 20th 2011 as the execution date for Christopher T. Johnson. Christopher T. Johnson is what might be called a volunteer. At his trial he represented himself and asked the Court to impose the death penalty. The Court complied and in May Mr. Johnson filed a brief on his own behalf requesting that no further appeals should be filed for him.

Johnson has been convicted of killing his six-month old son – Elias Ocean Johnson. Reports are that he has admitted the crime. He has apparently refused to pursue any appeals and has filed court papers saying that he does not want anyone to file appeals on his behalf. My mind reels as I ponder his crime. And yet – his execution will not bring back Elias – his execution will diminish us as does any execution carried out by the state.

From the 190th General Assembly (1978), Presbyterian Church in the United States:

“Capital punishment is an expression of vengeance which contradicts the justice of God on the cross.”

See you along the Trail.

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October 5, 2011 · 12:50 am

Stay in Georgia, scheduled in Alabama

A judge in Georgia has ordered a stay of execution for Marcus Ray Johnson who was scheduled to be executed today. Johnson was found guilty of the murder of  Angela Sizemore. Two factors appear to have played a role in the stay: “police in Albany presented Johnson’s defence team with a new box of evidence that has never before been examined. Johnson’s lawyers argued the box could change the understanding of the case.” In addition, the judge agreed to allow DNA testing to take place.

I pray for the family and friends of Angela Sizemore. I pray for the judges, attorneys, and others involved in the case. I pray for the Marcus Ray Johnson and his friends and family.

Christopher L. Johnson is scheduled for execution by the state of Alabama on October 20. Johnson has been convicted of killing his six-month old son – Elias Ocean Johnson. Reports are that he has admitted the crime. He has apparently refused to pursue any appeals and has filed court papers saying that he does not want anyone to file appeals on his behalf.

My mind reels as I ponder his crime. And yet – his execution will not bring back Elias – his execution will diminish us as does any execution carried out by the state.

I pray for those who loved (and still love) Elias Ocean Johnson. I pray for Christopher L. Johnson and his family and friends. I pray for the judges, attorneys, and others involved in the case.

May God have mercy on us all.

See you along the Trail.

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September 29, 2011 · 9:12 pm

Not the answer in Georgia, not the answer in Iran

I sent a fax tonight to the State Board of Pardons and Paroles in Georgia. I wrote on behalf of Marcus Ray Johnson. The state has scheduled his execution next Wednesday. He was convicted of raping and murdering Angela Sizemore. His advocates indicate there are reasons to doubt his guilt. Even if there are not, I would still have sent a fax. I do not believe that putting someone to death is the answer. It is an act that tears the soul of society. It inflicts further wounds. As much as we may feast on the act, we are feasting on ourselves. I grieve for Ms. Sizemore; I tremble at what was done to her – an unspeakable violation. I grieve for those who love her. Yet, killing the person convicted of this crime is not the answer.

I sent an email tonight to the Iranian Embassy. I wrote on behalf of Youcef (or Yousef) Nadarkhani. Pastor Nadarkhani stands convicted of apostasy. CNN reports that he heads “a network of Christian house churches in Iran” and “could be executed as soon as midnight Wednesday in Tehran for refusing to recant his religious beliefs and convert to Islam.” Iran has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Article 18 of the covenant includes a provision that the “freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief.” On this basis, Iran should halt the execution. But even without the Covenant, capital punishment remains an unacceptable response in this or any situation.

The taking of a life by a state – for whatever reason – is not the answer in Georgia. It is not the answer in Iran. It is simply not the answer.

I faxed. I emailed. Will you join me?

See you along the Trail.

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September 23, 2011 · 3:20 am

My heart aches again

The third execution this week in the United States took place today.

Prayers for the family and friends of Derrick O’Neal Mason, executed today by the state of Alabama. 

Prayers for the family and friends of Angela Cagle of whose murder he was convicted. 

I made a contribution to the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. You can too. 


See you along the Trail.

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September 22, 2011 · 3:04 am

Not only Southern trees

As I type, I understand that the execution of Troy Anthony Davis is proceeding. If it is not, it will soon. He was convicted for the murder of Mark MacPhail.

Earlier today, Lawrence Russell Brewer was executed for the brutal murder of James Byrd, Jr. He remained unrepentant; some of James Byrd Jr.’s family has expressed forgiveness.

Human Rights Watch reports that half a world away, 17-year old Alireza Mollasoltani was publicly executed in Iran. He was convicted for the murder of Ruholla Dadashi.

My heart aches for the family and all who love Mark MacPhail.

My heart aches for the family and all who love James Byrd, Jr.

My heart aches for the family and all who love Ruhollah Dadashi.

My heart aches for those who made these decisions and for those who had to carry them out.

My heart aches for the family and all who love Troy Anthony Davis.

My heart aches for the family and all who love Lawrence Russell Brewer.

My heart aches for the family and all who love Alireza Mollasoltani.

My heart aches.

In the midst of the sorrow, I give thanks for the glimpses of grace shown by family members, friends, and advocates.

Democracy Now played a clip of Strange Fruit sung by Billie Holiday, written by Abel Meeropol. “Southern trees bear a strange fruit,” it begins.

Not only Southern trees.

The struggle continues.

See you along the Trail.

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September 21, 2011 · 3:38 am

Is this how we want to mark the International Day of Peace?

Without an intervention of some sort, Troy Davis will be executed by the State of Georgia tomorrow – September 21 on the International Day of Peace at 7:00 p.m.

I do not believe in the death penalty. I do not think it makes us safer. It does not bring anyone back. It rips the fabric of society – causing more wounds rather than working healing and restoration. It is rooted in vengeance – a lethal concoction of drugs injected into one’s veins in exchange for murder or rape or other capital crime. Such crimes are heinous. Monstrous. Evil. Unspeakably so. But there has to be another way, other ways, to respond than execution. As my friend Shannon points out, are the countries that use the death penalty really the company I want my country to keep?

All that aside, there is also the question of doubt in the case of Troy Davis. He was convicted, but since then: seven of the nine original witnesses have recanted or changed their testimony; many of these witnesses have stated in sworn affidavits that they were pressured or coerced by police into testifying or signing statements. Courts have ruled that Troy Davis’ innocence cannot be proved. But when does doubt reach the level of being “reasonable?” Does that level change after a person is convicted? Should the fact that the punishment is death affect what constitutes “reasonable doubt?” Does proving innocence trump reasonable doubt after conviction?

The NAACP provides a petition to ask Chatham County District Attorney Larry Chisolm, who requested the death warrant against Troy Davis, to petition the judge to withdraw the death warrant against Troy Davis.

Amnesty International also provides an opportunity to contact the Georgia State Board of Pardon and Paroles.

I have taken both of those actions. In addition, I plan to fast tomorrow evening. And I will pray.

I will pray for Troy Davis and his family and friends.

I will pray for the family and friends of Savannah Police Officer Mark Allen MacPhail. Officer MacPhail’s brutal murder was the crime of which Troy Davis was convicted.

I will pray for those who are in a position to stop this execution.

I will pray for those who are in the position of having to carry out this execution should it come to that.

I will pray for all people who have had a loved one murdered.

I will pray for all people who have had a loved one executed.

I will pray.

May God have mercy on us all.

See you along the Trail.

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