It has been a while since l’ve written to you, and I’d like to share the reason.
As many of you know, in addition to being FADP’s Executive Director, I’m an Assistant Public Defender. Last night, I concluded a two-and-a-half-week murder trial, where my colleagues and I had fought to convince the jury that our client, who was 19 years old when arrested, was insane at the time of his crimes.
Due in part to our presentation of mitigation, including his documented mental health history, the State of Florida did not seek the death penalty, and so the case proceeded as life without parole as the only possible punishment upon conviction. That, in and of itself, was a victory. Not just for our client, but for the victim’s family too – more on that later.
We knew and believed without question that our client was insane at the time of his crimes. We fought tirelessly for weeks trying to persuade 12 strangers that we were right. We lost last night. He was immediately sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.
Today, I’m frustrated with how our criminal justice system treats the mentally ill, I’m heartbroken that a mentally ill young man will spend the rest of his life in prison, instead of a hospital. And quite honestly, I’m struggling to want to stay in this fight.
But last night after the verdict, as I stood in the courtroom with my colleagues and my client’s family, hugging and crying at the outcome, I looked across the courtroom at the victims’ family, who were also hugging and crying at the outcome. The pain in the courtroom and outside in the hallway was palpable. And is still with me.
And yet, what I do know, is that it is over now. For everyone. There won’t be decades of appeals and endless court appearances, which would constantly disrupt the victims’ journey towards healing. There won’t be a death warrant signed, where I fear our client’s loving sister would have been irreparably broken if her younger brother was executed.
The death penalty only creates more victims. And after last night, I have a powerful and visual reminder of that truth.
I know that I’ll dust myself off, move through the grief, and work even harder to show our leaders that the State of Florida does not need the death penalty.
But I need your help. Please make sure your contact info is up to date. Like, follow, and share our social media. Tell us about events in your community so that we can attend and organize. Donate, and ask your friends to donate.
We can do this together. And we must. For the families on both sides of the courtroom.
Onward,
Maria DeLiberato
FADP Executive Director
P.S. Before my trial, I had the wonderful opportunity to speak at the Dignity of Life Forum in Fernandina Beach. Please watch and share!