|
WASHINGTON
- August 27 - The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty
today called for a commutation for Paul Hill of Florida, who faces
a Sept. 3 execution date.
Hill, an anti-abortion activist, was convicted and sentenced to death
for the murders of Dr. John Britton and James Barrett outside a women's
center in Pensacola. Hill dropped his appeals and has said he
believes his execution will encourage more people to kill abortion
providers and therefore save lives in the long run.
"Executing Paul Hill will only continue a cycle of violence," said
Steven W. Hawkins, NCADP executive director. "Hill thinks, and apparently
some of his most ardent supporters agree, that his execution will turn him
into a martyr. His execution would make us less safe and a more appropriate
alternative would be a sentence of life in prison."
Abe Bonowitz, executive director of Floridians for Alternatives to the
Death Penalty, also called for a life sentence for Hill. "Governor Bush
has refused to commute Hill's sentence, maintaining that he has a
duty to carry out the law," Bonowitz said. "But Governor Bush also has
a duty to protect the innocent citizens of Florida who could be harmed
by violence inspired by the deliberate killing of Paul Hill. The
fact of the matter is that Governor Bush has an option that would serve
the dual purpose of punishing Mr. Hill and protecting the citizens of
Florida: He can commute the sentence of death to life in prison
without the possibility of parole."
To take action in the Hill case, please visit NCADP's new Legislative
Action Center at www.ncadp.org For more information on the case,
please visit Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty at
www.fadp.org
The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty was founded
in 1976 and is the only fully-staffed national organization
devoted specifically to abolishing the death penalty. NCADP is
comprised of more than 100 local, state, national and international
affiliates.
###
|
