MEDIA ADVISORY

FLORIDIANS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO THE DEATH PENALTY (FADP)

15 SEPTEMBER 2003

CONTACT: Abe Bonowitz: 800-973-6548
abe@fadp.org

DEATH PENALTY ENCOURAGES MURDER
Are prisoners serving life killing to take the easy way out?
43% of Jeb!'s executions have been of so-called "volunteers."

Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty today sent the following letter to Judge E. Vernon Douglas, who tomorrow will preside over a hearing at which Florida death row inmate John Blackwelder is expected to ask to be allowed to waive his appeals and be executed. The hearing is set for 1:30pm on Tuesday, September 16, 2003, in Lake City.

Blackwelder's case may be unique, but may also be evidence of the emergence of a disturbing new pattern: Prisoners serving life without the possibility of parole are committing murder in prison - with the intent of being sent to death row and eventually executed. This is a clear example of how the death penalty can be a motive for murder - as opposed to a deterrent. See the letter from John Blackwelder at http://www.fadp.org/killfordeath.html.

As FADP said in its letter to Judge Douglas, "If murder in prison is to be seen as a viable means to a quicker end, then prison workers and other prisoners are at a higher risk."

In any case, 43% of Jeb!'s executions have been of so-called "volunteers." Jeb Bush has demonstrated a definite willingness to sign death warrants, even when there are questions of guilt or sanity, and even when it means putting the prisoner in the drivers seat. This isn't surprising given that the governor has eagerly campaigned on the death penalty in both of his bids for governor. But something is wrong when prisoners see the death penalty as a way out of the discomforts of death row, or worse, murder in prison as a viable means to escape a life sentence.
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LETTER SENT BY FADP TO JUDGE DOUGLAS


15 September 2003

Judge E. Vernon Douglas
Via Fax: 386-758-1188

Dear Judge Douglas,

I am sure this is an unusual communication, but I thought the attached letter I recently received from John Blackwelder might be of interest to you.

Blackwelder wrote to me in response to general comments I made in a newsletter that he read, in which I commented about the growing number of Florida death row prisoners who have waived their appeals. In the letter, Blackwelder brags about his crime and how he made sure that aggravating factors would be such that he would most likely get a death sentence. Blackwelder suggests that other prisoners are doing the same thing - murdering in prison in attempt to get a death sentence, and thus avoid the much harsher punishment of life without parole.

My interest in sending this to you is because I think you would want to be as fully informed as possible about the prisoner whose case is before you. Of course, I oppose the death penalty and do not want to see the state have the power to execute. But I think there is a growing danger exposed in cases like this, where the prisoner is clearly manipulating the system for his own purposes. If murder in prison is to be seen as a viable means to a quicker end, then prison workers and other prisoners are at a higher risk.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance in this matter.

Sincerely,

SENT BY:

Abraham J. Bonowitz
Director

Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP)
800-973-6548
mailto:fadp.org
http://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

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