MORATORIUM
CAMPAIGN STEERING COMMITTEE
904 West Second
Street, Suite 1
Little Rock,
Arkansas 72201-2102
SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL. We believe it is time for Governor Beebe to appoint a special commission to study the effectiveness of the death penalty as a public policy, to make a review of this state program as we have other programs such as the severance tax and early childhood education. He should also declare an official moratorium on executions while the commission completes its study and the recommendations are considered by the General Assembly.
BACKGROUND. The state of Arkansas reinstated the death penalty in 1976 after the United States Supreme Court declared it constitutional in its Gregg v. Georgia decision. In this modern era, the state has executed 26 men and one woman. There are currently 38 men on Death Row.
In 1991, the General Assembly exempted the mentally retarded from the death penalty. A public opinion poll taken at that time showed that 80 percent of the respondents favored the death penalty. However, more than half preferred a sentence of life without parole and financial payments to the victimÕs family rather than the death penalty.
Americans continue to have serious questions about the use of the death penalty regarding the age and mental state of the condemned, the method of execution, adequacy of counsel, and the possibility of innocence. The United States Supreme Court has been narrowing the application of the death penalty in recent years, exempting the mentally retarded and juveniles.
Repeal campaigns in several states are showing success. New Jersey repealed the death penalty in December 2007. New Mexico passed a repeal bill in its House of Representatives. Montana and Nebraska repeal forces lost by narrow margins. The New York legislature refused to reinstate the death penalty after its Supreme Court found it unconstitutional. The new governor of Maryland has stated his support for repeal of the death penalty. The state of New Hampshire has created a special commission to study the effects of the death penalty.
NEED FOR THE STUDY COMMISSION. Arkansans have expressed concerns about several aspects of the death penalty:
á Is it possible that the state will kill an innocent person? Nationally, 126 persons sentenced to death have subsequently been exonerated. At least one Arkansas death sentence is being appealed on the basis of DNA evidence discovered after the trial and mandatory appeals.
á Is the death penalty administered fairly throughout the state? Will perpetrators of similar murders be treated the same in all 75 counties?
á Are persons in the lower socio-economic classes more likely to receive a death sentence in Arkansas than those who can hire private defense lawyers?
á Are persons of color more likely to receive a death sentence?
á Does an execution truly bring closure to the families of murder victims?
á Are persons in the Department of Correction adversely affected by their responsibilities for executions?
á Is the death penalty truly a deterrence to other violent crime?
á What is the cost of administering the death penalty in Arkansas? Could that money be better spent on education, victim compensation, or investigations of unsolved murder cases?
We know of no definitive answers to these questions based on Arkansas data. That is why a special commission is needed to perform a comprehensive study that will provide answers to these important questions.
WHAT DO WE WANT FROM YOU?
1. Volunteer to
work in the campaign. See attached
form.
2. Prepare a letter of endorsement that we can use when we go public with the initiative in the near future.
3. Make a contribution to assure the success of this effort. Make checks payable to MORATORIUM CAMPAIGN and mail to 29 Westchester Court, Little Rock, AR 72223-4323.
David L. Rickard, Coordinator
March 24, 2008
MORATORIUM CAMPAIGN STEERING COMMITTEE
904 West Second Street, Suite 1
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-2102
I believe that Governor Beebe should declare a moratorium on the death penalty and appoint a commission to study the effects of the death penalty on the residents of Arkansas. I want to help in this effort.
__ Please contact me when it is time to circulate petitions.
__ Please contact me about setting up an educational event in my school/community.
__ Please contact me when it is time to write letters to the editor of my local paper.
__ I am a murder victim family member. Please contact me about signing onto a letter for murder victim family members calling for a moratorium on the death penalty.
__ I am a member of the law enforcement community. Please contact me about signing onto the letter for law enforcement calling for a moratorium on the death penalty.
__ I am willing to help underwrite the costs of this campaign. Make checks payable to the Moratorium Campaign and mail to 29 Westchester Court, Little Rock, AR 72223-4323.
$1,000 __ $750 __ $500 __ $250 __ $200 __ $150 __ $100 __ $50 __ Other ____
______________________________________
Name (PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY)
______________________________________
Address
______________________________________
City/Town and Zip Code
______________________________________
Telephone
______________________________________
Email Address
Thank you for your support.