Testimony and Statements

In response to the executions of Troy Davis and Lawrence Brewer on September 21, over 150 Catholic theologians have signed a statement calling for the abolition of the death penalty in United States. The theologians stated: “[W]e oppose the death penalty, whether a person on death row is guilty or innocent, on both theological and practical grounds. While we especially deplore and lament the killing of Troy Davis, we also decry the death sentences of the more than 3,200 inmates on death row and…

In response to the executions of Troy Davis and Lawrence Brewer on September 21, over 150 Catholic theologians have signed a statement calling for the abolition of the death penalty in United States. The theologians stated: “[W]e oppose the death penalty, whether a person on death row is guilty or innocent, on both theological and practical grounds. While we especially deplore and lament the killing of Troy Davis, we also decry the death sentences of the more than 3,200 inmates on death row and…

Statement from the FDA Regarding Oversight of Lethal Injection Drugs and Release of Foreign Shipments to States: Jan. 4, 2011 “FDA releases this shipment, which is being imported by or on behalf of state correctional authorities. In keeping with established practice, FDA does not review or approve products for the purpose of lethal injection. FDA has not reviewed the products in this shipment to determine their identity, safety, effectiveness, purity, or any other characteristics.”

New Hampshire Death Penalty Study Commission — Final Report Individual Statement of Commissioner Renny Cushing Dec. 1, 2010 There were a number of family members of murder victims who appeared before the Commission to share their personal experiences with homicide and the criminal justice system. They expressed their opposition, as victims, to the death penalty. As I listened to their testimony, and as I do when I listen to the experiences of any family member of a murder victim, whether…

There were a number of family members of murder victims who appeared before the Commission to share their personal experiences with homicide and the criminal justice system. They expressed their opposition, as victims, to the death penalty. As I listened to their testimony, and as I do when I listen to the experiences of any family member of a murder victim, whether they support, oppose, or have no opinion on the death penalty, I felt a sense of shared experience, empathy, and solidarity. My…

Statement from Attorneys for Kevin Keith in Response to Today’s Parole Board Recommendation Against Clemency The Governor’s ultimate responsibility is to ensure that no human being is executed in Ohio absent absolute certainty. In Kevin Keith’s case, too many questions remain unanswered, and his execution should not proceed as planned. The Parole Board’s own recitation of facts and brief findings cannot avoid facts pointing to the existence of doubt about Mr. Keith’s guilt. For example, the…

Testimony of Richard C. Dieter, Executive Director, Death Penalty Information Center, before the Pennsylvania Senate Government Management and Cost Study Commission on the costs of the death penalty and its lack of return. (Harrisburg, June 7, 2010)

The Medical Society of New Jersey recently approved a resolution calling upon the American Medical Association (AMA) to advocate for the “abolition of capital punishment by each jurisdiction in the United States of America … and replace it with life in prison without the possibility of parole.” Among the stated rationales for the resolution, the society noted that “Numerous reports document pernicious and recurring errors and other fallibilities associated with the judicial process of capital…

Testimony of Richard C. Dieter, Executive Director, Death Penalty Information Center, before the Commission to Study the Death Penalty in New Hampshire on costs of the death penalty and related issues. (December 4, 2009)