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MEDIA ADVISORY FROM FLORIDIANS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO THE DEATH PENALTY (FADP.org)17 March 2003 CONTACT: Abe Bonowitz: 561-371-5204
DEATH ROW SURVIVOR SPEAKS OUT IN FLORIDA Juan Melendez (see bio below) will be participate in a press conference and protest at the Federal Courthouse at the intersection of Park and Monroe in Tallahassee at 8am on Tuesday, March 18. This event is scheduled to be simultaneous with the anticipated Federal execution of Gulf War veteran Louis Jones. Melendez and FADP director Abe Bonowitz will comment on matters related to the death penalty currently pending in the Florida legislature. (For more information on the case of Louis Jones, see http://davecoop.net/jones.htm ) Juan Melendez has been making appearances at public gatherings and in classrooms in Florida since March 10, and continues his tour this week. He will appear in Tallahassee, Gainesville, St.Petersburg and Miami this week. Melendez is available for one on one interviews with members of the media as well as radio and television talk shows. To arrange an interview, please call 800-973-6548. ***** Juan Roberto Melendez Colon became the 24th person exonerated and released from Florida's death row when he was freed on January 3, 2002 after spending almost 18 years facing execution for a crime he had nothing to do with. Melendez was convicted in 1984 at the age of 33 with no physical evidence linking him to the crime and testimony from questionable witnesses. In fact, prosecutors hid evidence and lied to the court in order to protect the real killer, a police informant. Melendez's conviction fell apart when the police informant's confession came to light in 1999 - a confession that prosecutors knew about before they took Melendez to trial. Known by his friends as "Johnny," Melendez was born in Brooklyn but grew up in Puerto Rico, where he currently lives. Since his release, Melendez spends a lot of time giving presentations about his experiences. He can be contacted c/o Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty at fadp@fadp.org or 800-973-6548. SCHEDULE as of 3/17/03 LIVE MAN TALKING: Juan Melendez, on Surviving Death Row.... Juan Roberto Melendez Colon became the 24th person exonerated and released from Florida's death row when he was freed on January 3, 2002 after spending almost 18 years facing execution for a crime he had nothing to do with. Melendez was convicted in 1984 at the age of 33 with no physical evidence linking him to the crime and testimony from questionable witnesses. In fact, prosecutors hid evidence and lied to the court in order to protect the real killer, a police informant. Melendez's conviction fell apart when the police informant's confession came to light in 1999 - a confession that prosecutors knew about before they took Melendez to trial. More information is available at http://www.FADP.org Juan Melendez inspires us with his discussion of surviving Florida's death row, and his current work to abolish the death penalty in Florida. PUBLIC EVENTS SCHEDULE *************************** TUESDAY, March 18, 2003: TALLAHASSEE
PRESS CONFERENCE / PROTEST
7:30 to 8:30am EST and TWO EVENTS IN GAINESVILLE The Center for Responsible Government (CGR) and the Gainesville chapter of the National Lawyers Guild present: LIVE MAN TALKING; Juan Melendez, on surviving death row... 2-4pm Bailey Courtroom Levin College of Law at the University of Florida (corner SW 2d ave and 25 St - courtroom is at south entrance to the school) *************** and Juan Melendez will be speaking at a citizen circle in the home of Shanti Vani on Tuesday, March 18 beginning at 5:30. He has an amazing story to tell and we are sure you will not want to miss this opportunity to visit with him. For direction, RSVP to vani@onthepath.to ****************************** WEDNESDAY, March 19, 2003 At 6:30 PM Melendez will speak at the Tampa Bay Action Group's office in downtown St. Petersburg 1st Ave. N. and 4th St. N. Admission is free but donations are accepted. Juan Melendez's visit to St. Petersburg is sponsored by Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, Amnesty International USA Group 240, and Tampa Bay Action Group.
For more information (FMI): **************************************** THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2003 University of Miami Forum Event co-sponsored by FADP and the UM Wrongful Convictions Project 12 noon to 2pm At the UM School of Law *************************************** FRIDAY, March 21, 2003 All day at a Catholic High School in South Miami Evening live television program (stand by for details.) ********************** SENT BY:
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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