wheezer
02-19-2008, 03:36 AM
Exonerated inmate to tell his story
By Mark Young, The North Platte Telegraph
02/18/2008
Curtis McCarthy stared death in the face, but unlike many who escape death’s grip through a moment of fate, McCarthy stared it in the eye every day of his 22 years in prison, 19 of which was spent on death row.
McCarthy was the 124th person of 127 nationwide who have been exonerated through new DNA evidence testing that proved him to be an innocent man. He is one of 127 people who have become the primary battle cry of death penalty opponents across the nation. As the Nebraska Legislature prepares to enter this emotional debate, McCarthy is coming to Nebraska to tell his story.
In cooperation with Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty and sponsored by The Witness to Innocence Project, McCarthy will be conducting a free lecture series throughout the state, which will begin Thursday, Feb. 21, in Omaha. He has several speaking sessions lined up in Omaha that includes a 7 p.m. session at First United Methodist Church, 7020 Cass St.
On Friday, Feb. 22, McCarthy will be at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln. On Saturday, Feb. 23, he will be at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and on Sunday, Feb. 24, McCarthy is scheduled to be at the First United Methodist Church in Lexington at 10 a.m. At 3 p.m., he will be at Trinity United Methodist Church in Grand Island.
“Our hopes are that this person will help people understand that innocent people are on death row,” said Lori Jensen, of the Lincoln County Democrats and a death-penalty opponent.
“We are hoping that Curtis can help Nebraskans understand that we are better off with life without parole as an alternative to the death penalty. We see that as a better option and we see Curtis as evidence of that.”
Nebraska is currently without a means to perform an execution after the State Supreme Court’s ruling that effectively abolished the electric chair several days ago. The electric chair was the state’s only means of execution. Without an alternative means of execution, the death penalty in Nebraska, if upheld by the Legislature, is effectively in limbo.
Jensen hails the court’s decision as the right one and sees it as a positive step in the right direction.
“I am absolutely satisfied with the court’s decision,” she said. “I’m unsure where this debate is going and it’s certainly not getting the problem solved, but it’s a step in the right direction.”
For more information regarding McCarthy’s free speaking tour, call 308-754-4901 or 308-384-3266.
http://www.nptelegraph.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19308242&BRD=377&PAG=461&dept_id=601696&rfi=6
By Mark Young, The North Platte Telegraph
02/18/2008
Curtis McCarthy stared death in the face, but unlike many who escape death’s grip through a moment of fate, McCarthy stared it in the eye every day of his 22 years in prison, 19 of which was spent on death row.
McCarthy was the 124th person of 127 nationwide who have been exonerated through new DNA evidence testing that proved him to be an innocent man. He is one of 127 people who have become the primary battle cry of death penalty opponents across the nation. As the Nebraska Legislature prepares to enter this emotional debate, McCarthy is coming to Nebraska to tell his story.
In cooperation with Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty and sponsored by The Witness to Innocence Project, McCarthy will be conducting a free lecture series throughout the state, which will begin Thursday, Feb. 21, in Omaha. He has several speaking sessions lined up in Omaha that includes a 7 p.m. session at First United Methodist Church, 7020 Cass St.
On Friday, Feb. 22, McCarthy will be at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln. On Saturday, Feb. 23, he will be at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and on Sunday, Feb. 24, McCarthy is scheduled to be at the First United Methodist Church in Lexington at 10 a.m. At 3 p.m., he will be at Trinity United Methodist Church in Grand Island.
“Our hopes are that this person will help people understand that innocent people are on death row,” said Lori Jensen, of the Lincoln County Democrats and a death-penalty opponent.
“We are hoping that Curtis can help Nebraskans understand that we are better off with life without parole as an alternative to the death penalty. We see that as a better option and we see Curtis as evidence of that.”
Nebraska is currently without a means to perform an execution after the State Supreme Court’s ruling that effectively abolished the electric chair several days ago. The electric chair was the state’s only means of execution. Without an alternative means of execution, the death penalty in Nebraska, if upheld by the Legislature, is effectively in limbo.
Jensen hails the court’s decision as the right one and sees it as a positive step in the right direction.
“I am absolutely satisfied with the court’s decision,” she said. “I’m unsure where this debate is going and it’s certainly not getting the problem solved, but it’s a step in the right direction.”
For more information regarding McCarthy’s free speaking tour, call 308-754-4901 or 308-384-3266.
http://www.nptelegraph.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19308242&BRD=377&PAG=461&dept_id=601696&rfi=6