Zubik adds support to anti-death penalty campaign

[NVMojo]

Tell that to the father of that little 9 year old girl who was just found dead ...

March 22, 2005
Green Bay Bishop David Zubik joined in supporting a renewed campaign against the death penalty announced Monday by U.S. Roman Catholic bishops in Washington.

The bishops announced the campaign to end the use of the death penalty in this country, saying they will step up lobbying and educational efforts. They backed up their arguments with polls they commissioned that find support for executions has weakened among American Catholics.

“We cannot teach that killing is wrong by killing. We cannot defend life by taking life,” Cardinal Theodore McCarrick told the news conference, which was held live in Washington and by phone with others around the country.

“I welcome and support the renewed campaign by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to work toward ending the use of the death penalty in our country, said Zubik, who heads the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay.

“At the same time, the church must remain committed to reaching out to victims of violence and their families,” said Zubik.

more...

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_20323053.shtml

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Have they found the killer of the little girl?

I don't know details about that case. A lot of times, the killer is not found. If they have found a suspect, do they know beyond a reasonable doubt that that person is the killer (ie DNA evidence, eyewitnesses, a confession)?

It is horrible when someone you love is murdered. It is something the family doesn't get over (I had a cousin who was murdered, so I have some idea about this).

But to my mind, putting someone to death for their crimes doesn't work, and here's why: 1. There have been many people executed who were innocent. 2. I see death as a quick and relatively peaceful end to a murderer-to my mind, life in prison without possibility of parole is far more punishing.

That is my opinion-you are, of course, entitled to yours.

[NorthernSpy]

2. Kirk Bloodsworth

Tell that to the father of that little 9 year old girl who was just found dead ...

Yeah... and YOU tell THAT to Kirk Bloodsworth:

Kirk Bloodsworth was convicted in March of 1985 for the brutal killing and sexual assault of a nine year old girl. The victim was found dead in July of 1984. She had been strangled, raped, and beaten with a rock. Bloodsworth was arrested based on an anonymous call telling police that he was seen with the victim that day and an identification made by a witness from a police sketch that was based on the recollections of five eyewitnesses. At trial, all five witnesses testified that they had seen Bloodsworth with the victim. Also presented at trial was testimony that Bloodsworth had said that he had done something terrible that day that would affect his relationship with his wife. Additionally, he mentioned a bloody rock during the investigation. A shoe impression found near the victim matched his size.

(...)

In 1992, the prosecution agreed to DNA testing to be performed by Forensic Science Associates. The victim's shorts and underwear, a stick found at the scene, and an autopsy slide were compared against the blood standards of the victim and Bloodsworth. Using PCR based DNA testing, FSA determined that the amount of spermatozoa on the slide was insufficient for testing. Testing on the panties excluded Bloodsworth. Replicate testing performed by the FBI yielded the same results.

Bloodsworth was released from prison in June 1993 and pardoned in December 1993. He had spent over eight years in prison, two of those years facing execution.

Bloodsworth also became the first person to be exonerated from death row through postconviction DNA testing.

The real perpetrator in the case has since been identified.

[JerseygirlCT]

3. I'm glad to hear this, however

I still find it a bit suspect that we hear this NOW, while before the election it was all about the horrors of gay marriage and abortion...

That said, I welcome anyone who will speak against the death penalty.

[Bridget Burke]

4. So--you're for the Death Penalty!

I guess you're behind the War in Iraq as well.