Where Do We Go From Here?
By Vicki Mandell-King
President, Coloradans Against the Death Penalty
Coloradans Against the Death Penalty, an organization formed in the last year, held its first conference on February 20th, that addressed the question of "Where do we go from here?" We had a good turn out, and the program explored ideas and actions to abolish the death penalty in Colorado.
Here in Colorado, Gary Davis was executed in October 1997, our first execution in thirty years. We have three others under sentences of death. Twelve death penalty trials are taking place this year, and if the individuals are found guilty, they will face sentencing by a three judge panel, instead of Colorado citizen juries.
Charles Milligan, professor emeritus at Iliff School of Theology, talked about his efforts, together with Rollie Rogers and others, to abolish the death penalty in Colorado in the mid-sixties. Ved Nanda, distinguished professor at University of Denver Law School, spoke about international efforts to abolish the death penalty. While CADP's goal is to abolish the death penalty in Colorado, national events and international efforts may be persuasive. The United States' position on the death penalty separates us from the countries we call our allies, and aligns us with those brutal regimes we otherwise condemn.
Despite the Pope's recent pronouncement, many clergy and their parishioners are in favor of capital punishment. Lucia Guzman, Executive Director of the Council of Churches, spoke movingly about how faith, compassion, and healing offer a better solution than the death penalty.
David Lane presented his practical approach -- how to persuade? David answered these kinds of questions: What if someone you loved were killed? What about the defendant who kills in prison? What about escapes from death row? Even if an execution doesn't deter others, won't it deter the particular defendant? Because we execute in a "humane" way, not using "kitchen and garden implements," are we striking the right balance?
Pat Furman moderated a political action panel consisting of Jim Joy, Senator Dorothy Rupert, J.D. MacFarlane, and Phil Cherner. Do we call for a moratorium now, or do grass roots efforts first to gain support? Should we do both? Another panel consisting of Dianne Tramutola-Lawson, Carrie Clein, and Ray Hawthorne, a teacher at Arapaho High School, talked about ways to educate young people about the death penalty.
Next on the program was a discussion about the client versus the cause. When Dennis Hartley and I sought clemency for Gary Davis, we hoped to persuade Governor Romer that he could be for the death penalty, yet grant Gary Davis clemency. There was a real question among CCDB members though, passionately articulated by David Lane, as to how to stand up for the cause in this situation. If, when, how and may lawyers on death cases use citizen activists? That will depend on the case and on the lawyers involved. As Bob Hicks, Director of the Death Penalty Resource Center, explained, citizens may volunteer at the center as a way to help in specific cases.
The day ended with inspiration. Rebecca Oakes, whose mother was killed by Nathan Dunlap, said she refused to let the death of her mother change her stand against the death penalty. As one participant said, he was touched by Oakes' honesty, courage and grace. He spoke for us all.
Where do we go from here? We form sub-chapters of CADP around the state, such as are beginning to take shape in Grand Junction, Colorado Springs, Durango, and Greeley and Fort Collins, reaching out to those already against the death penalty. We then change others' hearts and minds through education and speeches in churches, schools and community organizations. We begin political action. We start a chapter of Murder Victims Families for Reconciliation. We become a passionate, and well-reasoned voice for a new consensus in Colorado.
See the Web site's News section for more articles and information about the death penalty.
