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Former Illinois Governor and Exonerated Death Row Inmate Coming to Colorado

This month, Coloradans have the opportunity to hear about the death penalty from two unique and very different perspectives - that of a man whose controversial decision spared the lives of 167 death row inmates, and that of a man who spent 17 years on death row for a crime he didn’t commit.

Governor George Ryan

photoIn January 2003, Illinois Governor George Ryan made history by granting a blanket clemency to all 167 people on death row in that state, commuting their sentences to life in prison without parole. Filmmakers Katy Chevigny and Kirsten Johnson bring us directly into the emotional and legal controversy surrounding Ryan's decision in their documentary film Deadline, which premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival.

The following events will feature a screening of Deadline, introduced by Gov. Ryan and the filmmakers, and followed by a panel discussion:

  • September 22, 2004
    7:00 p.m. -- Muenzinger Auditorium, CU, Boulder
    Deadline, introduced by Governor Ryan and the filmmakers.
    Free and open to the public.
    Sponsored by the CU Athenaeum.
    For more information, e-mail cwaathen@colorado.edu
  • September 22, 2004
    12:00 noon. -- Wolf Law Building, CU, Boulder
    Gov. Ryan lecture: "From Death to Life."
    Free and open to the public.
    Sponsored by the CU Athenaeum.
  • September 21, 2004
    7:00 p.m. -- Starz FilmCenter, Denver
    Deadline, introduced by Governor Ryan and the filmmakers.
    First in a four-part series of death penalty films.
    Seating is limited. For ticket prices or for more
    information, go to www.starzfilmcenter.com

 

Juan Melendez

photoCADP is pleased to be sponsoring the Colorado appearances of Juan Melendez, the 99th innocent person to be freed from death row since 1973.

On January 3, 2002, prosecutors dropped all charges against Mr. Melendez after Judge Barbara Fleischer of the Thirteenth Circuit Court in Florida overturned his conviction. Mr. Melendez had spent more than 17 years on Florida's death row.

Judge Fleischer overturned Mr. Melendez's conviction after determining that prosecutors in his original trial withheld critical evidence, thereby undermining confidence in the verdict. In her 72-page opinion, she noted that no physical evidence linked Mr. Melendez to the crime. The conviction was based on the testimony of two witnesses whose credibility was later challenged. In addition, newly discovered evidence pointed to another man as the real killer. Mr. Melendez will be sharing his story at the following free and open-to-the public events:

  • September 29, 2004
    3:30 to 5:00 p.m. -- Regis Univerity, Denver,
    Science Amphitheater
    Free and open to the public. CADP hosts Juan Melendez,
    who was freed after 17 years on FL's death row.
    For more information, e-mail bplumley@regis.edu
  • September 28, 2004
    7:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. -- DCTV
    " Speaking Out," with Rich Andrews.
    Guests Mike Radelet and Juan Melendez,
    who was freed after 17 years on FL's death row.
  • September 28, 2004
    12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. -- CU Law School, Room 154
    Free and open to the public. CADP hosts Juan Melendez,
    who was freed after 17 years on FL's death row.
    For more information, e-mail furman@colorado.edu
  • September 27, 2004
    6:00 to 8:00 p.m. -- DU Law School, Forum
    Free and open to the public. CADP hosts Juan Melendez,
    who was freed after 17 years on FL's death row.
    For more information, e-mail donbounds@earthlink.net

-- The Abolitionist, Volume 2, Number 2. A publication of Coloradans Against the Death Penalty.

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