P R E S S   R E L E A S E
from
F L O R I D I A N S   FOR   A L T E R N A T I V E S
                                   TO THE DEATH PENALTY   (FADP)



JUNE 30, 2008

FADP CONTACTS:
Mark Elliott: 727-215-9646



AT WHAT COST?


Tuesday, July first, the State of Florida is set to execute Mark Schwab.
"While Floridians spend an estimated $51 million a year on our mistake-ridden
Death Penalty system (that's over and above the cost of permanent imprisonment),
victim's services are being cut-back, crime prevention programs are being
disbanded and thousands of murders and violent crimes remain unsolved," states
Mark Elliott, Director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. "For
a growing number of Floridians, ending executions is not about being 'pro' or
'con', it is about priorities."
Florida has executed 64 prisoners since executions began again in 1979. "All
that time and money wasted each year to kill a couple of already-locked-up
prisoners," says Elliott, "Let's use these resources to keep these crimes from
happening in the first place and provide real help for the victims of violent
crime and their families - let's get both tough AND smart on crime."


Justice delayed is justice denied.

Says Elliott, "Our deepest sympathy is for the family of Junny Rios-Martinez.
There are some crimes so heinous that there is no earthly punishment that fits
the crime. A sentence of life without the possibility for parole is carried out
immediately, with no wait for justice."


Execution Vigils Across Florida

Execution vigils and protests will take place in Bradenton, Ft. Lauderdale,
Gainesville, Jacksonville, Orlando Catholic Diocese, Palm Beach Gardens,
Pensacola, Pinellas County, Sarasota, Starke (Florida State Prison),
Tallahassee, Tampa and other locations across Florida.
For an address list and local contact info see:
https://fadp.ejusadb.org/sites/fadp.ejusadb.org/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=27&qid=2689

For more on Florida's Death Penalty and sources for data above, see:
https://fadp.ejusadb.org/sites/fadp.ejusadb.org/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=28&qid=2689
Additional Contacts:
Ron McAndrew
Former Florida state warden, oversaw executions
https://fadp.ejusadb.org/sites/fadp.ejusadb.org/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=29&qid=2689

CELL: 352-342-1450
Juanita Perez
Murder Victims' Families for Reconciliation - Florida
CELL: 561-385-6433

**********
SENT BY:

      Mark Elliott
      Executive Director
      Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP)
      (727) 215-9646
      mark@fadp.org
      www.fadp.org
      2840 W. Bay Drive
      Belleair Bluffs, FL 33770


Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty works for restorative
justice in the form of effective alternatives to the death penalty. It
does so by

* supporting and coordinating the work of organizations and individuals
* educating and energizing the general public and state legislators
* supporting the many persons affected by capital crime and punishment
* advocating specific legislative improvements