MEDIA ADVISORY
FROM
FLORIDIANS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO THE DEATH PENALTY (FADP.org)
December 19, 2002
Contact: Abe Bonowitz - 800-973-6548
ANOTHER FLORIDA DEATH ROW INMATE TO WALK FREE?
COULD THIS BE #25?
Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP) has learned
that
the Florida Supreme Court yesterday affirmed a trial court's order
granting
Rudolph Holton a new trial. According to Mr. Holton's attorneys, the
State
no longer has enough viable evidence upon which to retry him.
"The only thing new in this case is the name of the man who has spent
years
on Florida's death row for a crime he did not commit," said Abe
Bonowitz,
director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. "The
problems with Mr. Holtons case are standard fare here in Florida: A
jailhouse snitch who benefited from his testimony. Police who
manufacture
evidence. And DNA testing on evidence used to convict Mr. Holton now
excludes him. It's all old news. How many of these cases must be
exposed
before Floridians understand that the death penalty system simply
cannot be
trusted?"
Further information on this case will be forthcoming.
Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP) again demands
an
immediate "time-out" on executions until the public can be guaranteed
that
Florida's criminal justice system is both fair and accurate.
FADP reminds the public that the State of Florida will give Mr.
Holton a
paltry $100 in cash when they free him after more than 16 years of
incarceration. In order to assist Mr. Holton and others like him,
FADP has
established an "Exonerated Prisoner Relief Fund." Details are
available at http://www.fadp.org/relief_fund.html or by calling 800-973-6548.
SENT BY:
Abraham J. Bonowitz
Director
Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP)
800-973-6548
fadp@fadp.org
www.fadp.org
PMB 335, 2603 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Hwy,
Gainesville, FL 32609
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
