As we wrote in our last Weekly Report the Alabama Supreme Court set an October 21st execution date for Willie B. Smith. We quote:” We are disappointed that the attorney general asked for and the Alabama Supreme Court set a date for Mr. Smith’s execution despite the fact that a lawsuit he filed two years ago is progressing through discovery and is set for trial early next year,” federal defender John Palombi wrote in an email.” Willie B. Smith has an IQ below 75.Talking Points for letter to the Governor: http://www.phadp.org/?q=alerts. Petition at: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/stop-the-execution-of-willie-smith-in-alabama?source=direct_link&

The State addressed the issue which had stayed Smith’s execution earlier this year and will now allow the pastor of his choice to be present in the execution chamber, hold his hand and pray with him. Last week this issue brought about a stay in Texas from the U.S. Supreme Court.

We very much appreciate those who have already written to Governor Ivey on behalf of Willie B. Smith and intend to keep news relating to his date on top of our Weekly Report.

We were delighted to read about the 140 law students at all five law schools in Alabama who signed on to a brief that asks for a new trial for Toforest Johnson. We particularly like the quote from Erica Webb, a law student at the University of Alabama, who along with fellow law student, Katrina Smith, led in the creation of the amici curiae, or “friend of the court” brief, who told APR the brief was a way to show the court that “we are watching this case. We’re paying attention and this is what we hope to see.” Katrina Smith said that the idea behind the brief was that if Johnson’s case wasn’t sufficient for a new trial, no case was. We couldn’t agree more and appreciate the dedication to justice of these future attorneys.

And yes, the latest edition of Wings of Hope has made it to our printer. As we said, we did it one more time!

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 wear a mask!

Esther