Ill. suspension gives hope to ND activists
By TIM LOGAN
News Editor
Illinois Governor George Ryan's decision Monday to suspend executions in his state has anti-death penalty activists at Notre Dame more optimistic for a similar statute to be introduced in Indiana.
With the move, which Ryan made to prevent the execution of innocent prisoners, Illinois became the first state that uses capital punishment to suspend the practice. The state has overturned 13 of its 25 death penalty convictions since it reinstated executions in 1977.
Campus activists were pleased with the Illinois decision and optimistic that it may encourage Indiana to follow suit.
"I'm hopeful that there will be something of a ripple effect," said Maureen Kramlich, president of Jus Vitae — Law School Right to Life. "Maybe something will spread."
Matt Monberg, president of Notre Dame's chapter of Amnesty International, noted that death penalty statutes are often grouped by region. The lack of capital punishment in Michigan, Wisconsin and now Illinois could bode well for efforts to end the practice in Indiana.
"This decision gives a boost to the abolition movement in Indiana," he said. "Indiana should at least investigate their death penalty cases more closely."
There are currently two bills in the Indiana state legislature that would suspend executions in the state, according to Kramlich. One abolishes the practice altogether and the other would place a moratorium until the procedure can be studied further, as it will be in Illinois. A bill to ban the practice was filed last session, but did not advance beyond committee.
Death penalty critics expressed hope the Illinois decision might push the legislature of this state to go further in investigating capital punishment.
"Hopefully they'll have some impact on discussions in the Indiana state legislature," said John Linn, president of ND/SMC Right to Life.
Indiana has executed seven people since 1976, including D.H. Fleenor, a mentally retarded man, in December. The state has never commuted a decision, according to the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. Although some say it should have.
"I'm certain there are a number of men on death row in Indiana who are innocent," Kramlich said.
Monberg noted that anti-death penalty activism is one of the Notre Dame chapter of Amnesty International's top priorities, and that students can make a difference on this issue.
"I would encourage students to get involved as much as they can," he said. "It's easy to get involved, and every voice counts."
One of Illinois' overturned convictions resulted directly from investigations done by a class of journalism students at Northwestern University. Anthony Porter was pardoned last year, two days before his scheduled execution after the student journalists uncovered the truth behind his case and notified authorities.
All News Stories for Thursday, February 3, 2000
