Law Students At Chris Coons' Alma Mater Slam His Vote Against DOJ Civil Rights Nominee

[cal04]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/17/chris-coons-civil-rights_n_4980825.html?&ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000016

Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) should know better.

That's the argument of a group of over 200 students, faculty and alumni of Yale Law School and Yale Divinity School, who wrote a letter to Coons on Monday asking him to change his surprising vote against Debo Adegbile, President Barack Obama's nominee to head the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department. Coons got his J.D. from Yale Law and an M.A.R. from Yale Divinity School in 1992.

Coons voted against Adegbile because Adegbile's former organization helped with an appellate case involving Mumia Abu-Jamal, who was convicted of killing a Philadelphia police officer over 30 years ago. Because of constitutional issues with jury instructions, Abu-Jamal's death sentence was downgraded to life in prison.

"As students, professors and practitioners, your vote alarmed us," the group wrote to Coons. "It signaled a lack of respect for the fundamental American legal principle that all parties have a right to zealous representation, and sent a message that young people considering public service careers should avoid work on behalf of unpopular or marginalized communities and clients."

[elleng]

1. Good. Thanks.

I have the same complaint against him.

[freshwest]

2. Good statement by them... And I hope he can change his vote. Is that even possible? nt