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MEDIA ADVISORY FROM FLORIDIANS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO THE DEATH PENALTY (FADP.org)11 February 2003 FADP CONTACT: Abe Bonowitz: 800-973-6548 SPIRITUAL ADVISOR CHALLENGES GOVERNOR Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP) forwards the following open letter to Governor Bush from Rev. Kobutsu Malone, spiritual advisor to Amos King. In the letter, Rev. Malone addresses the logic of killing Mr. King when the results of DNA testing leave exactly the same doubts as were present when the execution was stayed and the DNA tests were ordered on December 2, 2002. Rev. Malone also challenges Governor Bush to witness the execution if he fails to stop it. Rev. Malone's contact information is included below.
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OPEN LETTER TO GOVERNOR JEB BUSH
THE ENGAGED ZEN FOUNDATION
Ven. Kobutsu Malone, zenji
February 11, 2003
Governor Jeb Bush Dear Governor Bush, I am an American Zen Buddhist priest and I serve as the spiritual advisor for Mr. Amos Lee King. I am writing you today out of concern over the setting of the date of February 26th, 2003 as an execution date for Amos. I understand that this was as a result of the "inconclusive" nature of the finding in recent DNA tests. Your position of postponing the last execution date of December 2nd establishes that there was enough doubt in your mind as to entertain the possibility that the DNA testing might "prove" Amos King "innocent." Conversely, it might have "proved" him guilty.... beyond the shadow of a doubt. The result which was returned was "inconclusive;" it neither implicated nor exonerated Mr. King. It did nothing to a swage the original doubt and the question remains, it is not beyond the shadow of a doubt Governor. I implore you to err on the side of justice and logic in this case and commute the death sentence for Amos King to something more humane. This man has been on death row for twenty five years and brought within hours of an execution repeatedly. The scheduled execution, now based on "inconclusive" results, will amount to another state sponsored senseless killing, carried out in our names and highlighted by the fact that there is evidence that needs to be seen. Please put a stop to this senseless killing, it demeans us as human beings and denigrates our great nation. If you are unwilling to put a stop to it then at least fully take part in the execution process...... if you refuse to save someone who begs you for clemency then the least you can do is fully acknowledge and experience the results of your actions - please join us in the execution chamber. In dynamic peace, Rev. Kobutsu Malone
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Abraham J. Bonowitz
Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP)
 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
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