Dale asks for a very special favor

Post by **Dale** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 5:34 pm

This post is about a death penalty case and I am aware that I am probably violating my own rule about political and controversial posts by putting it here. I ask for you to indulge me. If you are strongly in favor of the death penalty, the favor I ask is that you disregard this message. For people for or against it, I ask you not to force a lock of this thread by debating the issue here. There are other places to do that and, we've done it before.

I am posting because my friend Darrell Grayson faces execution on July 26th. I have corresponded with Darrell over the years, edited and published his poetry, and become his friend. I was able to have a fine visit with him on Death Row in Alabama a year-and-a-half ago. For reasons too convoluted to go into, the correctional system changed visitation rules so that I have not been able--and will not be able-- to visit again.

I've created a webpage on behalf of Alabama's Project Hope about Darrell's case. Please have a look at it.

http://dalewisely.googlepages.com/darre ... utionalert

You may read elsewhere, and it is true, that Darrell was convicted more than 20 years ago for the rape and murder of an elderly woman. Darrell was 19. I do not know whether my friend Darrell did this terrible thing, or what exactly his part was. I have long been convinced that, even if I believed there is a place for the death penalty, the facts of the case don't warrant its application. I believe many of you, if you read that page, will agree. This is a very problematic case.

Please read it. Do me the honor of not commenting here. (Bump the thread if you're inclined.) Act if you are able. Do not act if that's what your heart and mind dictate. Ask the Governor to permit the execution, even, if you read this material carefully and feel that is the right thing to do.

Thank you.

Dale

FJohnSharp · Post by **FJohnSharp** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 6:57 pm

The things that stands out for me is they should never, never, ever execute a person if without performing DNA testing if it's possible. The possibility of executing an innocent man is too horrendous not to, and to deny DNA testing is unconscionable.

Doc Jones · Post by **Doc Jones** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 7:40 pm

I've never been opposed to the death penalty on principle.

I believe that in some cases where the crime is horrific, where the accused is faced with incontravertible evidence, where DNA and reliable witnesses agree, and there has been a history of serious crimes, that it's OK for an individual to be excused from this planet to go to their eternal reward a little early.

The problem is there are precious few (if any) such cases.

This would certainly not be one of them.

It would be a real travesty of justice for this guy to be executed without his DNA being tested. In fact I believe it would be wrong to execute him even if there were DNA evidence. It's just not that kind of a case.

Dale have you contacted the Alabama legislators in Washington? Does the federal system have no authority to mandate DNA testing. Has the NAACP looked into it? Have you tried Glenn Beck, Oprah? You need a big audience for this thing.

Patrick

anniemcu · Post by **anniemcu** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 7:48 pm

Ditto what Doc said.

peeplj · Post by **peeplj** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 7:51 pm

At the risk of being repetitively redundant, I also think there should be DNA testing done. (I think there should be mandatory DNA testing for death-row inmates anyway.)

I do support the death pentalty but only in a few cases where society is clearly in continued danger if the criminal continues to live.

The death penalty is never justified in cases where there is any doubt as to the exact role of the accused in the crime.

--James

Tyler · Post by **Tyler** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 9:02 pm

Bump.

Sorry to hear you're going through this goody buddy.
Hang in there and keep doing what you know is right; you've got friends behind you.

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 9:23 pm

Tyler Morris wrote:you've got friends behind you.

A great many, in fact.

swizzlestick · Post by **swizzlestick** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 9:54 pm

Just sent an email to the Governor and I will follow up with a real letter and phone call. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Redwolf · Post by **Redwolf** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 10:46 pm

Doc Jones wrote:I've never been opposed to the death penalty on principle.

I believe that in some cases where the crime is horrific, where the accused is faced with incontravertible evidence, where DNA and reliable witnesses agree, and there has been a history of serious crimes, that it's OK for an individual to be excused from this planet to go to their eternal reward a little early.

The problem is there are precious few (if any) such cases.

This would certainly not be one of them.

It would be a real travesty of justice for this guy to be executed without his DNA being tested. In fact I believe it would be wrong to execute him even if there were DNA evidence. It's just not that kind of a case.

Dale have you contacted the Alabama legislators in Washington? Does the federal system have no authority to mandate DNA testing. Has the NAACP looked into it? Have you tried Glenn Beck, Oprah? You need a big audience for this thing.

Patrick

I agree on all points. There are very specific criteria a case should have to meet in order to merit the ultimate penalty, and this one simply doesn't meet them. Denying this man DNA testing is absolutely unconscionable.

It also bothers me that Alabama refuses to make its lethal injection protocol public. With all that's been called into question about lethal injection in recent months, I think that all states which practice this method of execution should be required to publish their protocols.

Redwolf

jbarter · Post by **jbarter** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 4:01 am

I've sent an email. Keep us informed of developments Dale.

buddhu · Post by **buddhu** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 5:06 am

I don't imagine the views of non-US citizens carry any weight at all but, for what it is worth, I have written.

For those who want to discuss further, we can respect Dale's request not to comment here by going to the existing topic on the C&F Poli forum:

http://cnfpoli.informe.com/thoughts-on- ... dt219.html

mutepointe · Post by **mutepointe** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 6:10 am

dale, i sent an e mail to the governor's office. i told him he has no moral right to kill darrell grayson. sometimes i am so ashamed of my country.

I.D.10-t · Post by **I.D.10-t** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 7:24 am

Dale wrote: For reasons too convoluted to go into, the correctional system changed visitation rules so that I have not been able--and will not be able-- to visit again.

I do not know the circumstances, but it seems that this should be changed and perhaps it is a free speech thing. Perhaps you should contact the ACLU

missy · Post by **missy** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 7:45 am

Dale - while we have our differences of opinion on the main topic, I completely understand your beliefs in this case and hope you can prevail.

Thomaston · Post by **Thomaston** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 8:41 am

Dale, I'll be sure to give them a call. I'll also see if my wife, who works in law here in Alabama, will pass this along to people. She is pro- death penalty, but that doesn't seem to be the issue. He was given shoddy defense and at the very least deserves a DNA test.
Sadly enough, I think that even in this day and age, a black man here wouldn't have any better chances with an all-white jury.

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