Weekly Report from the Board Meeting at Holman Prison 1.20.21

As you know, the Alabama Supreme Court set 2.11.21 as the execution date for Willie B. Smith III a developmentally delayed man. The Talking Points are up on our website and on our Facebook page. http://www.phadp.org/?q=alerts. Please contact Governor Ivey! To quote the Governor, “All lives matter!” We would also like to make you aware of the petition hosted by Action Network https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/stop-the-execution-of-willie-smith-in-alabama?source=facebook&&fbclid=IwAR1rPB4IJW0M5lT4402dYSaFMbSvXZ0AdwgNvIceHiaMObPBshVKZe48z4k. It is quick and easy to sign and will be delivered to Governor Ivey at noon of the execution date. You will also find it posted on our Facebook page.

We are pleased to report that the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama has overturned the death sentence imposed on RichardFlowers. The court ruled that Flowers had been provided deficient representation at trial and in the sentencing hearing, but found that he had suffered prejudice only in the penalty phase of trial. “Deficient representation” is an understatement and those responsible as well as those higher up who allowed this to happen should be charged with criminal neglect!

Just how fortunate we are in our Advisory Board Members and our sister organizations can be seen from the email Shelley Douglass of Birmingham sent to JAM following receipt of our Weekly Report. We quote it in full with our thanks: “Alabama is scheduled to kill Willie B Smith III on February 11th (go to the phadp website for information and letter-writing points) so just wanted you to know that we WILL be vigiling, 11:30 am to 1 pm at the usual place, art museum & county courthouse.  More later, but be warned now.”

For years we have treasured our close link with the Alabama State Conference of the NAACP. Esther has the honor of being the Chair of its Death Penalty Moratorium Committee. Last week we received word from Ms Tara Foster, Executive Director of the AL State Conference of the NAACP regarding our Weekly Report and we quote: “I will begin providing a brief summary and point the audience to the website for further details.” We are so very grateful and quote the NAACP when we say “it takes team work to make a dream work!”

We are continuing to devote a good part of our weekly Board meetings once we have taken care of business, which includes discussing the latest death penalty news, focusing on our article for the Mississippi Quarterly.

In closing and as always, we continue to thank all our generous donors who either gave by going to our website and using the “donate” button or who gave directly. Thank you also to all who took the time to read our notes, commented, liked and shared them on Facebook. You encourage us and make all the difference. Stay safe!         Esther