nothin Lethal Innocence | New Haven Independent

Lethal Innocence

In 2004, Cameron Todd Willingham was put to death for allegedly murdering his three young daughters, all of whom died in a house fire in 1991. No matter that the scientists involved used junk science,” old wives tales. No matter that evidence for his innocence abounded, and was dismissed anyway. No matter that there were pleas to Gov. Rick Perry for an execution stay; that he maintained his own innocence until his final breath. On Feb. 17, 2004, lethal injection stopped his life forever. It would not be until a New Yorker essay in 2009, and a formal declaration by the state of Texas this year, that those involved in the case would begin to admit how shoddy the evidence had been to begin with. 

Not compelling enough to turn you against capital punishment entirely? Then consider the case of Troy Davis, convicted of the 1989 murder of Mark MacPhail. On Sept. 21, 2011, Davis too was unlawfully put to death by lethal injection, with the final declaration, For those about to take my life, may God have mercy on all of your souls. God bless you all.”

They are just two of innocent hundreds who have received — and died by — sentences of lethal injection. On WNHH radio’s LoveBabz Lovetalk,” guest Shari Silberstein urged listeners to say their names. To get to know their stories. And to begin working actively in the political community to ensure that no other innocent men — or women — went to their deaths unlawfully.

The executive director of Equal Justice USA, Silberstein is dedicating her life to this issue. Remember: we’re talking about doubt,” she shared with Rawls-Ivy. This If there’s doubt about guilt, is it really OK to go through an irreversible punishment?”

The answer, she and Rawls-Ivy agreed, is always no. To hear their reasoning, including the staggering odds that are up against men with black and brown skin (did you know a white person has not been sentenced to death in Delaware since 2003?), click on the audio above or find the episode in iTunes or any podcast app under WNHH Community Radio.”

This is a lot of work. This is spirit breaking work, and I think it’s hard … I just hope that you get enough nurturing for your spirit so that you can continue to do this work,” said Rawls-Ivy.

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