WASHINGTON,
D.C. – U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today hailed legislation
introduced by Representatives Ray LaHood (R-IL) and William Delahunt (D-MA)
aimed at saving the lives of innocent people. The Innocence Protection
Act of 2000 is a comprehensive package of criminal justice reforms that
would reduce the risk of innocent people being executed. Schakowsky
is an original cosponsor.
Schakowsky
joined the sponsors of the legislation, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Illinois
Governor George Ryan, Kirk Bloodsworth, a death row inmate who was exonerated
by DNA evidence in 1993 and others at a news conference on Capitol Hill.
“Since
1977, the State of Illinois has taken the life of 12 death row inmates.
During that same period, the state exonerated 13 people on death row, including
4 in the last 15 months. That is a frightening fact which could have
resulted in a mistake that the state could not fix,” Schakowsky said.
“It
is a fact that the nation is split on the death penalty. It is also
a fact that no one wants to see an innocent person executed. We must ensure
that innocent people are not being put to death and that justice, equality,
and due process are the law of the land. The Innocence Protection
Act of 2000 is an important step in helping us reach that goal,” Schakowsky
added.
Schakowsky
applauded Governor Ryan’s decision to halt all executions until a panel
can review the capital conviction process. She also hailed the work
of Northwestern University students that lead to the exoneration of Ronald
Jones.
“Problems
of inadequate representation, lack of access to DNA testing, police misconduct,
racial bias and other errors are causing innocent people to be condemned
to die. That is unacceptable and immoral,” Schakowsky said.
The
legislation would ensure that convicted offenders are afforded an opportunity
to prove their innocence through DNA testing; help states provide competent
legal services at every state of a death penalty prosecution; enable those
who can prove their innocence to recover some measure of compensation for
their unjust incarceration; and limit the Federal government’s authority
to seek the death penalty in States that do not permit the imposition of
such penalty.
In
addition, the bill would give juries in Federal death penalty prosecutions
the option of sentencing defendants to life without possibility of release;
encourage states to give juries in capital cases accurate information on
the available sentencing options; and provide the public with more reliable
and detailed information regarding the administration of the nation’s capital
punishment laws. |