Agenda - 11-03-1999 - 8c - Laserfiche WebLink

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FROM : PFADP FAX NO. : 919 933 5611 Sep. 28 1999 02:26PM P1 2 People of faith Against the Death Penalty September 28, 1999 Orange County Board of Commissioners P.O. Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Dear Commissioners, A growing international movement is now calling on local governments to support a moratorium on executions. Recently,. the city councils of Carrboro (unanimously), Chapel Hill (unanimously), and Durham (8 -3) passed resolutions- supporting. a moratorium on executions. We would like to ask the. Orange County Board of Comiissioners to do the same at its meeting on Tuesday, .October 5, 1999. We ask that the enclosed resolution be included at or new the top of the agenda for that meeting. A moratorium is akin to a temporary cease fire in time of war: It is. an opportunity to examine how the death penalty is unfairly practiced. One of the most compelling reasons that death penalty .advocates and opponents are joining in support of a moratorium is the fact that so far at least. 80 people'in America have been released from death .row since 1970 because they were proven to be innocent, in many cases-by investigators outside the judicial system. More and more death row inmates are being proven innocent. In Wilktsbo ro, N.C., on May 14, 1999, a superior court judge overturned Charles Munsey's death sentence because he recognizes that Munsey, was falsely convicted, that prosecutors knowingly withheld exculpatory evidence, and that there is overwhelming evidence that Munsey is innocent. (Tragically, Mr. Munsey.died of pneumonia in prison this month while awaiting a new trial.) A number of political leaders who favor the death penalty in principle, as well as the American Bar Association, have begun advocating for a moratorium: Recently, the Nebraska, state legislature approved a two - year moratorium that was co- sponsored by a Republican advocate of the death penalty. The.introduction of Carrboro" s moratorium resolution was facilitated by a pro -death penalty member of the Board of Aldermen. Durhaxn's. resolution was, introduced by a Republican. Orange County congregations that have. passed moratorium resolutions include Chapel Hill Friends Meeting, Holy Family Catholic Church (Hillsborough), and University Presbyterian Church (Chapel Hill); several others are. expected in upcoming weeks. So-far, scores of Orange County residents have signed a petition calling on the UnitedNations to pass a moratorium resolution next year. People of Faith Against the Death Penalty and North Carolinians Against the Death Penalty ask- you to . . join your constituents'who are calling for a moratorium. Thank you for your consideration. Should you have any questions please call me at 933 -7567: Sisperely, gt en I?ear Executive. Director -I' 7' /A East Fmuk- in St. Chgvi Hill, North Canrlirm 21514 Phone /fax 919.93.,•7367 A Runr.n.AM of 'rtis NGu•.rn t.ARoLtNA COV14C1S. AP C lIYACHAS