Death Penalty Hearings to Begin in Trenton

I received a call from Abe at New Jerseyans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty.  They are trying to make a good showing at the first hearing of the Death Penalty Study Commission which is scheduled for next Wednesday in Trenton.

The target is to have 200 NJADP members and supporters at the hearing.  Anyone who is available next week is encouraged to go.  If you are planning on attending please contact Abe at the NJADP Trenton Office 800-973-6548.  Here are the rest of the details.

The New Jersey Death Penalty Study Commission has scheduled its first public hearing for Wed., July 19 at 2 PM, in Committee Room 4, on the 1st Floor of the State House Annex in Trenton. 

You are welcome to join fellow NJADP members at the hearing, including murder victims' family members and death row and other exonorees who will send a strong and clear message that we do not want, nor do we need, the death penalty in our beautiful state.

Because the hearings are getting off to such a late start (they were originally scheduled to begin in March) it is unlikely that the panel will conclude its study and submit a report to the legislature by November.  This means that a vote on the abolition bill which will replace the use of the death penalty with life without the possibility of parole will be pushed into 2007.  The problem with that is all of the legislators will be up for re-election.  I think we all know how hard it is to get politicians to commit to anything that will significantly change the status quo during an election year.  The point is NJADP needs all the help it can get.

Right now we are in a position end the use of the death penalty in our state and set an example for the entire nation, but we need to keep up the momentum.  Please consider coming on next Wednesday.

For other ways for you to help end the use of the death penalty in our state you can refer to  www.njadp.org