JANUARY 11, 2003 -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Life without can be worse than painless death
Illinois commutations can benefit even victims,
lead to better U.S. international relations

Washington, D.C.--In response to today's commutation by Illinois Gov. George Ryan (who received NACDL's Champion of Justice award and addressed the luncheon at NACDL's Fall Meeting in Chicago this past November) of the remaining 156 death sentences in that state to life without, Lawrence Goldman, president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, issued the following statement:

"While we understand that this is a time of anguish for many members of the families of victims of these inmates, we hope they will find solace in not being asked to be involved in at attempt to kill again to show that killing is wrong. We also hope they benefit from not having to deal with the ongoing legal battles, and ultimately an execution, which would have forced them to relive painful memories. Perhaps they will also get some satisfaction from knowing that those inmates who are guilty must live, largely alone and under horrible conditions, in contemplation of their own crimes.

"We also hope that as Americans consider this momentous action, we can soon reach the same conclusion that most of the rest of the advanced world has reached: that even if we could be sure that the death penalty deters, even though studies say it does not; that even if the vengeance of the death penalty somehow satisfies many victims and officials alike; and that even if death truly were a more fitting punishment than life in a cage, the cost of the death penalty to our humanity and the risks of error in a system incapable of perfection and fairness are just too great. Such an appreciation of life can only help us if we truly wish to achieve peace in a troubled world.

"Finally, to Gov. Ryan and all the NACDL members and others who worked to make this day a reality, we simply say, 'Thank you.'"

Goldman is a criminal defense lawyer in New York City. He can be reached at (917)816-4635.

The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) is the preeminent organization in the United States advancing the mission of the nation’s criminal defense lawyers to ensure justice and due process for persons accused of crime or wrongdoing. A professional bar association founded in 1958, NACDL’s more than 10,000 direct members — and 80-plus state and local affiliate organizations with another 28,000 members — include private criminal defense lawyers, public defenders, active-duty militarydefense counsel, law professors and judges committed to preserving fairness within America’s criminal justice system.

For more information:
Daniel Dodson
Director of Public Affairs
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
(202)872-8600 ext. 228
cell (202)486-5513
dodson@nacdl.org
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