A Botched Execution

 

On April 29, 2014, Oklahoma executed Clayton Lockett. His execution was a botched execution. At 6:23, an IV was inserted into his vein and the drug Midazolam was pumped through his vein to knock him out. Ten minutes later they claimed Mr. Locket was unconscious. Then the next drugs were started.

 

Mr. Lockett began to twitch, his foot shook and he mumbled. According to witnesses he called out “Oh, man.” This barbaric scene caused the death team to close the curtains.

 

Dr. Robert Patton intervened saying the line had blown, and the drugs were no longer flowing into his veins. His veins had exploded.

 

Mr. Lockett was scheduled to die of lethal injection but died of an atrocious heart attack. Witnesses had to view a cruel gruesome heinous murder because the state of Oklahoma tried a new combination of the drugs on their protocol.

 

Oklahoma’s protocol on the books includes using the drugs Midazolam, which is supposed to cause unconsciousness. Vecuronium bromide stops respiration. Potassium chloride stops the heart.

 

Oklahoma was scheduled to execute another man, Charles Warren. Due to this horrific execution Dr. Patton requested a stay. The Oklahoma governor granted the stay.

 

I know the story has gained worldwide attention by now. My reason in giving you this gruesome information is to show any execution any state tries to perform is no more than an experimental murder. I hope anyone who supports the death penalty will see they are part of the same work in which the death row inmates are considered wrong for doing.

 

Finally there have been botched executions happening consistently lately. We know innocent men been executed and we see the torture in which these humans are being put to death with. Are we seeing justice for those innocent families?

 

NO WE AREN’T!!! Where is their justice?

David Riley
Z738 F22

 

Eye For An Eye 

 

That’s exactly what the death penalty represents. To kill someone for supposedly killing someone else to get justice is just another way for getting revenge.

 

I understand when a loved one is taken away there will be pain and hurt. However, to kill another person will not bring that loved one back. There will never be closure.

 

What I can’t fully understand is, when family and loved ones talk about how great the lost one was a person. Would they really want to get revenge if they were still there?

 

If you kill someone for revenge this loved one still won’t be there. Instead you force another family to endure the same pain when they haven’t done anything.

 

This eye for an eye justice is no more than a vicious cycle of murder that, only wastes tax payers dollars and only causes new innocent victims. 

 

David Riley Z-738 F22

 

 

As we sit in our cells we all deal with different struggles; some of the same, and some different. One of the hardest struggles I face is, knowing the people I care about, and love will possibly one day have to deal with me being murdered by a politically flawed, blood thirsty system.

 

States with the death penalty claim they must kill those on death row to get justice for victims’ family. Does anyone stop to think that by killing us they only cause more innocent people to suffer a loss?

 

The people we love have done nothing wrong. It’s hard enough for them to have to deal with us being locked up. Now the State wants our loved ones to endure the same pain and suffering when they kill us.

 

I’d like to thank (Mrs. Greer) for stepping up and addressing this issue. What is amazing is, she is a victim’s family member, yet she has acknowledged the controversy of killing us and forming more victims.

 

How is it possible for anyone to support the death penalty, when they claim it’s wrong to kill someone? Yet, be so quick to want to kill someone for killing someone, and claim its justice for the victim’s family. When in reality, you’re causing more victims!!

 

David Riley Z-738 F22

 

 

IF THE SHOE WAS ON THE OTHER FOOT 

 

Sometimes I wonder, what if the shoe was on the other foot. I mean, what if some of these people screaming for us to be killed, were in our shoes or our families shoes?

 

Would they still scream for blood? Probably not! They’d be screaming for mercy, and begging for the courts not to issue the death penalty.

 

What about these politicians pushing for quicker executions, and shorter appeals? What if it was you, or your child? Reality is, you’d use your political power to keep it from happening, but let’s just pretend we have a fair, and justice for all system.

 

You’d be pushing the opposite bills. You’d be screaming capital punishment is wrong, let’s abolish it, yesterday!

 

I guess, that’s why they say, if the shoe was on the other foot … what would you do?! 

 

David Riley Z-738

 

 

On Tuesday March 4, 2014, the USA TODAY paper had an article on an issue pertaining to the death penalty.

 

In 2002, the United States Supreme Court mandated it unconstitutional to execute anyone suffering from mental retardation.

 

To be more specific the ruling clearly says, “Executing people with intellectual disabilities violates their 8^th Amendment rights against cruel and unusual punishment.”

 

If you read this article you will clearly see why the death penalty isn’t a tool of justice for anyone.

 

Though the United States Supreme Court has ruled states can’t execute a mentally retarded person, states fail to set guidelines or protocol to determine who is, or isn’t mentally retarded. It’s a case by case determination.

 

States, including Alabama, will cross the line in determining who is mentally retarded. Until the United States Supreme Court takes initiative and sets a mandated rule of protocol to determine whether a person is mentally retarded or not, states will continue to kill people suffering from intellectual disabilities. If, the states can do this and no repercussions come forth what’s the point in ruling it unconstitutional?

 

As I end this I’d like to state my opinion as to why the state should not have anything to do with determining who is considered mentally retarded. States have had 12 years to do right and set guidelines for this crucial life threatening issue and haven’t.

 

If they haven’t done the right thing in 12 years, why would  they start now? 

 

David Riley Z738 F22

 

 

I’d like to begin this by thanking everyone who has been working nonstop to continue keeping this site, and project moving forward. I thank all, because your work and support encourages me to continue to do what I need to do. Thank you!

 

 

 

I was asked the other day how I was working to help end capital punishment. Right away I answered, “By showing the truth and facts by using statistics to prove the death penalty is nothing but a political tool for revenge.”

 

The man I was talking to said, “that was fine, but why use what anyone can get online, and see for themselves?” What else can you do? Honestly I didn’t know what to say, because I was thinking I was doing the right thing.

 

Then he made me look at it differently. He said, people can find statistics anywhere, but if you show how people on death row are being done wrong because they’re on death row, people my pay more attention to the injustice of the death penalty.

 

At first I got scared, because I didn’t want anyone to feel I was trying to get involved in their case. I had to figure out a way to do this so it wouldn’t confuse anyone and won’t offend anyone at the same time.

 

I hope, I accomplish just that, with what I’m about to write. Here are just a few of the injustices some of the men are facing on death row in Alabama …

 

1. We have quite a few men who should not be on death row, because they are dealing with mental intellectual disabilities.
   In 2002, the United States Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional to execute anyone who suffers from mental intellectual disabilities. Due to there not being a set standard to what makes a person to be considered mentally retarded the states get to abuse this law, and deem who they want and don’t want to be mentally retarded.
   Now men and women, who are facing these real mental issues, are suffering from this injustice of a broken system.

2. There are so many men here who have received new trials due to issues in their case. However a couple men have been sitting here on death row without a death sentence because the state of Alabama doesn’t want to do the right thing because the know quite a few of these men will not come back to death row. This proving their system is beyond flawed. It’s broken, and can’t be fixed!

3. The state of Alabama’s execution protocol has been challenged. Yet, Alabama refuses to reveal a complete copy of how an execution is supposed to be carried out.

4. Alabama is trying to pass a law so they won’t have to reveal where they get the drugs to kill us.

5. Alabama wants to take away our appeals so they can kill us faster, and not fix any of the problems with the system. Instead they continue to take any avenue we have to show we aren’t receiving a fair trial.

 

These are just a few problems we face being on death row in Alabama. 

 

David Riley Z738 F22

 

 

I want everyone to pay attention to this article from “The New Yorker”.

 

Rick Perry lures Washington state residents to Texas with thriving death penalty.

 

Responding to the news that Washington governor Jay Inslee had suspended the death penalty in his state, Texas governor Rick Perry seized on the opportunity to urge Washington residents to “vote with your feet and move to Texas, where the death penalty is thriving.”

 

At a hastily called press conference this afternoon, the Texas governor made an emotional appeal to Washingtonians who might be disappointed by the sudden suspension of executions in their state: “Come to Texas. The death penalty is alive and well here.”

 

Blasting governor Inslee, he reassured Washington residents that if they move to Texas, “as God is my witness, no one will ever take your death penalty away from you.”

 

“That’s just not what we’re made of in Texas,” he said. “We believe in the sanctity of death.”

 

This is why the death penalty has no justice whatsoever. Governor Jay Inslee halted executions in Washington because he seen the system is broken. He didn’t let politics interfere with doing the right thing. He seen it’s a problem and stepped up to fix it.

 

No sooner than he does the right thing, here comes Texas governor Rick Perry urging residents of Washington, who are blood thirsty with revenge, to move to Texas, because Texas will never address the flaws in their system.

 

Truth is, I’m lost for words after reading this article. I think, it says all by itself. 

 

David Riley
Z738 F22

 

 

„I am a Christian.“

 

 

This is widely used statement by many politicians in being elected to an office. Governor Bentley of Alabama says he is a Christian.

 

I am a believer of Jesus Christ. By no means am I saying I’m a perfect believer. I’ll be the first to say I don’t do all what God requires of me.

 

I am not criticizing anyone. I just have a problem with anyone who uses being a Christian to gain political standing. A true believer or Christian shouldn’t have to say “I am a Christian.” People should be able to see it through one’s actions.

 

My reasoning in mentioning Governor Bentley is because of his continuous ignorance to the problems of the death penalty in Alabama.

 

A blind man could see the bias, racial and injustice issues at hand dealing with the death penalty. This same blind man would see the waste of money used in executing one person. He would know even if you shorten the appeals to one day, you wouldn’t save much, if any, money.

 

Most importantly, the blind man would see that the death penalty is a political tool of revenge. That anyone involved in supporting the death penalty, prosecutor, judge, jury, the one strapping the person to the gurney, the one inserting the needle or even the person pushing the button that pushes the drug into the veins that kills the one on the gurney will all one day face our Lord Jesus. When that time comes the question will be asked, “If you were a Christian, why did you help kill many of my creations?”

 

David Riley

Z738 F22

 

 

Alabama is pushing to shorten death penalty appeals. I want to talk about an issue Alabama refustes to fck; Jury Override.

 

Jury override is when a judge decides not to take the jury’s recommendation of life without parole and sentences a defendant to death.

 

Alabama and Florida are the only two states with the death penalty who allow this to happen. However, Florida’s law requires a judge to give proper reasoning in his/her decision to override the jury.

 

The problem with jury override in Alabama is it’s abused. Judges don’t have to provide adequate reasoning when they decide to override the jury. A judge will override a jury for political reasons.

 

During election times a judge will sentence more defendants to death to appear tough on crime in order to win the election.

 

I can go on and on about the unfairness of this injustice. Instead I’ll end this with a quote from a judge who sentenced one of the men here on death row. Then you can decide if it’s fair.

 

In sentencing a man to death whose jury voted for life without parole, the judge said, “I’ve sentenced two black men to death. Now I have to sentence a white man to death so I don’t look racist.”

 

David Riley Z738 F22

 

 

First, I’d like to take a moment to thank everyone who ha staken the time to help make this all possible for us. Your hard work, support, love and fact you’re willing to listen motivate us to continue moving forward and not give up. Thank you!

 

 

As you follow us, there will be quite a few topics on the death penalty being discussed. It is not our goal to mislead or confuse anyone. Everything we will discuss will be able to be proven with facts and statistics.

 

 

We greatly appreciate this opportunity to be heard. We would also like to hear what you have to say. Please, don’t hesitate to respond to anything you read, wether you agree with or disagree with or just have questions.

 

 

There are so many topics to choose from to discuss about the death penalty. Richt now, here in Alabama, there is a topic that needs immediate attention. I’m speaking of House Bill 216/Senate Bill 194, better known as the “Fair Justice Act”.

 

 

Before I get into detail of this act, I’d like to give you a quick summary of our State’s post conviction appeals. The first stage is called Direct Appeals. The state appoints an attorney to review the trial record and file a brief that points out the courts mistakes.

 

 

Very rarely will the courts admit the trial courts made a mistake. After a Certificate of Judgement has been given the second stage known as Rule 32 begins.

 

 

This stage gets complicated. The courts do not have to and will not appoint you an attorney to work your case. You have one year from the date on the Certificate of Judgement to file your brief.

 

 

A person on Alabama’s death row is now forced to spend valuable time on searching for an attorney who will work their case for free. This time is valuable because the time can be used to interview key witnesses to prove a claim. It would allow an attorney who went to law school to do the proper research instead of the person sitting on death row who majority of the time struggled in high school and more than likely dropped out.

 

 

Hopefully I made sense with all that. Now here’s what the “Fair Justice Act” is going to force.

 

 

This Act would require a death row inmate’s direct appeals and Rule 32 to be file 180 days after he or she is sentenced to death. In those 180 days, any investigations and only one proper brief for each stage must be complete. What could be seen as a good thing, attorneys are appointed then a judge must rule on the filed claims within six months.

 

 

This is why this can’t work:

 

1. 180 days will never be enough time to properly investigate or research any death penalty case. It sure isn’t ever going to be enough time to ensure someone of death row can complete two stages of appeals at the same time. It also violates the law that two courts can’t have jurisdiction over a case at the same time.

2. To mandate or force a judge to make a ruling on any case let alone a death penalty case only means that a judge who has sworn to uphold the law to rush a decision. For a judge to rush a decision would mean that judge could overlook something to save someone’s life.

3. I think it’s great this Act would allow attorneys to be appointed to represent a death row inmate for his or her appeals.

 

However, back in August, Alabama cut funds for public defenders. This will become a problem not all attorneys are willing to work for free; the legal representation isn’ going to be very helpful.

 

 

My final point for the “Fair Justice Act” is this. Virginia, Texas and Colorado have the same law in effect.

 

Texas – All I have to say is, it’s been proven Texas has executed at least two innocent men. Carlos Deluna and Todd Willingham

 

Colorado – there are numerous lawsuits because of this law. Even the prosecutors disagree with this law.

 

That’s two out of three states that have major problems due to this one law.

 

 

Alabama is pushing the “Fair Justice Act” to become law, claiming it’s to carry out justice faster. There is no fair justice in this Act. Alabama doesn’t want to admit they have a broken system. Their solution is only to kill faster because once they kill us all the investigating and legal claims of our case dies as well.

 

 

David Riley
Z738 F22