ON THE INSIDE 12.8.16

 I saw the news report at 5:00 p.m. announcing that there had not been any news on Ron. The USSC had not made a decision on his appeal. A lot of speculation was going around about the strategic move that his lawyers had made, and we also had faith in the same system that a month ago had given a stay to Thomas Arthur on similar issues.

Weekly Report from the Board Meeting at Holman Prison 1.4.17

Great news from Washington State where the Governor not only issued a reprieve for a man scheduled to be executed 1.19.17 but also called for abolition of the death penalty. Not quite in the same category of positive news is that Arizona will no longer use midazolam even though it is not prepared to give up the death penalty. However in VA an execution is scheduled for 1.18.17 using midazolam from a compounding pharmacy risking another botched execution. Will the U.S. Supreme Court care?

Weekly Report from the Board Meeting at Holman Prison 12.28.16

Weekly Report from the Board Meeting at Holman Prison 12.21.16

Earlier today we forwarded the year end report from DPIC (released at 12:01am today) and related articles. The death penalty is at historic lows by way of new sentences, executions, and public support but Alabama continues to have the largest per capita death row in the country and last year ranked number four behind such states as CA, OH and TX for number of death sentences and number one per capita. What does that say about Alabama?

Weekly Report from the Board Meeting at Holman Prison 12.14.16

We dedicated this meeting to Ron sharing memories and our feelings of grief and anger. Grief over the loss of our friend and anger at the barbarity of our State so in love with killing and quite honestly also at the U.S. Supreme Court that showed so little respect in how it handled last Thursday highlighted in the Adam Liptak article “The Lethal Gap How the Supreme Court Handles the Death Penalty.”

Friends,
We are very sad to announce that the State of Alabama took the life of Ronald B. Smith, our Chairman tonight at Holman Prison. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family members, friends and his valiant attorneys.

Weekly Report from the Board Meeting at Holman Prison 11.30.16

The Alabama Supreme Court has has denied Ronald Smith's petition challenging the constitutionality of the state's death penalty statute under Hurst v. Florida. A trial judge sentence Smith to death despite the 7-5 recommendation by the jury that he receive a life sentence. Smith, who is scheduled to be executed December 8, is seeking review in the United States Supreme Court.

 SCOTUS will hold the conference regarding Thomas Arthur on the 9th. They will address the protocol issue.

 Lanett AL 36863


November 25, 2016

 

Governor Robert Bentley

State Capitol

600 Dexter Avenue

Montgomery, Alabama 36130-2751

 

Dear Governor Bentley,

November 23, 2016

The Honorable Governor Robert Bentley

 State Capitol N 104

600 Dexter Ave

Montgomery, AL 36130-2751 

Dear Sir,