IS THIS REALLY OUR COUNTRY? -- VIRGINIA EXECUTES TERESA LEWIS

No sooner do I finish blogging about the death penalty than this Washington Post bulletin arrives in my email:

"Virginia has executed Teresa Lewis, 41, by lethal injection, making her the first woman put to death in the state in nearly a century. Lewis was convicted for her role in arranging for the murder of her husband and stepson in a scheme to collect insurance money. The case drew international attention because Lewis had a low I.Q. and the two triggermen got life sentences, not the death penalty."

Read the full Post story here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/23/AR2010092306827.html

This is Teresa Lewis' website with plenty of information on her case:
http://www.saveteresalewis.org/

We should all hang our heads. But better to raise our voices. I will be adding a link here soon for Governor Bob McDonnell's contact page so you can tell him what you think. Right now access to the page is jammed.

Evidently there are many voices crying out.

[LATE NOTE: HERE IS THE LINK... http://www.governor.virginia.gov/aboutthegovernor/contactgovernor.cfm]

Take care,
Adrian Zupp

THE DEATH PENALTY -- PART 2: I AM TROY DAVIS

The state of Georgia is hell bent on murdering Troy Davis.

In the execution world, Davis' case is the current cause celebre. But really, his is simply one more example of an unjust system and a sick penalty.

BACKGROUND: Davis, who has been on death row since 1991 (that alone has to do something to you!), was convicted of the 1989 slaying of police officer Mark MacPhail. A horrendous crime, as is any murder. Unfortunately, there are many reasons to believe that the wrong man has been convicted and the system doesn't give a damn. Unreliable witnesses (most of whom have now recanted), a lack of physical evidence, claims of police coercion in gaining testimonies (gee, there's a shock), the usual poor public defense system, and ongoing appeals -- a two-decade saga of, literally, tragic proportions. There is a huge international campaign on Davis' behalf and its motto is "I Am Troy Davis." Think about that.

If you want to learn more about Troy Davis, check out these websites (you can even find links to send an email to the responsible/irresponsible authorities on Davis' behalf):

http://www.amnestyusa.org/death-penalty/troy-davis-finality-over-fairness/page.do?id=1011343

http://www.veteranstoday.com/2010/09/10/fed-judge-william-moore-and-georgia-want-innocent-man-killed/

http://www.troyanthonydavis.org/

A closing thought: If you want your day in court, and you really want to have a chance, it'll cost you. Law is a business, first and foremost.

Believe what you will but what is happening to Troy Davis -- and many others -- could actually happen to you or me. And your odds go up if you're a young, black male. Injustice, false incarceration, execution/state-sponsored murder. It's just a twist of fate away for any of us.

I am Troy Davis.

Take care,
Adrian Zupp

IF YOU FOUND THIS POST INTERESTING you might like to read "THE DEATH PENALTY -- PT. 1: SOME BACKGROUND" and "THE DEATH PENALTY -- PT. 3: WHAT NOW?"