Today at our Board meeting it was time for our traditional Christmas party but not before we had discussed some of the events of the past week.

First and foremost was our dismay that Toforest Johnson was denied a new trial by the Alabama Supreme Court even though several former judges, activists and the district attorney of the county he was convicted in had called for a re-examination of Johnson’s death sentence. It is Christmas and we would like not to have to feel angry and disgusted but we definitely are!

Another piece of disappointing news was that although the The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution to establish a worldwide "moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty." with a majority of the nations of the world supporting the effort, there was once more a noticeable holdout: the United States. The U.S. vote "put us in the same league, with Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, China, North Korea and Vietnam," @RDunhamDPIC We understand that this country had to vote that way because certain backward states love their death penalty, Alabama being one of them. We did our little part by contacting the President asking for a positive vote by this country.

On a more positive note we were honored to be able to send a thank you email to Governor Brown of Oregon. The death penalty is indeed “dysfunctional and immoral” to quote Governor Brown.

Thank you to the many supporters and friends who sent us Christmas cards. You brought a lot of joy to death row or as we like to call it life row!

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 and have a wonderful Christmas or holiday. We will see you in the new year!