As already reported the Alabama Supreme Court set an October 21st execution date for Willie B. Smith who 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-i…

Although the Alabama Attorney General’s office was reprimanded for misrepresentation in Willie B. Smith’s death penalty case, which would appear to be good news, a federal court dismissed his lawsuit “on jurisdictional grounds in a ruling issued Friday by Judge Emily Marks. It claimed that Smith’s rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act were violated when prison officials did not provide him with an accommodation that facilitated his understanding of a form asking the death row inmate whether he wished to opt into execution via nitrogen hypoxia.”

Citing COVID concerns, #Alabama will limit press access to one reporter at the execution. To quote Kelly Ann Scott vice president for AL Media Group: “In an execution, the state is using its power in an ultimate act, The role of the press as a witness is to make sure that final act is carried out according to the Constitution and to hold the state accountable in its actions. We are the eyes and ears of the public as witnesses.”

We very much appreciate those who have already written to Governor Ivey on behalf of Willie B. Smith and signed the petition and urge those who haven’t to do so. Some of his brothers on death row, the men who know Willie best are also writing to the Governor on his behalf. We hope she will hear them.

Today at the request of Advisory Board Member Dr. Katie Owens-Murphy we worked on a new piece of writing to close out the volume of PHADP’s 30+ years’ of writings. It took the form of a direct address to our readers outlining the current and future direction of PHADP and how readers can express solidarity with us.

Our thanks to our representatives at the Alabama Arise meeting on September 25 and to all our friends whose vote will help to end the death penalty in Alabama one day.

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