CAMPAIGN TO END THE DEATH PENALTY Death Penalty’s Effects Critiqued By Panel at GU By Maya Noronha Hoya Staff Writer

Dan Gelfand/The Hoya Lawrence Hayes, a former death-row inmate, speaks of his own experiences with corruption in the U.S. justice system. He was a member of a panel sponsored by Georgetown’s Campaign to End the Death Pe

Georgetown’s Campaign to End the Death Penalty sponsored a panel of speakers entitled, “On the Eve of Execution” featuring a former death-row inmate, family members of death-row inmates and representatives from Campaign to End the Death Penalty and Amnesty International. The speakers shared their experiences and opinion on capital punishment to about 70 students Monday.

The daughter of a death-row inmate, who wished to remain anonymous, spoke about the effect of the death penalty on her father and her family. She said she has had the chance to visit her father once a week, and even then it is only through PlexiGlass.

“He’s in solitary confinement. He’s alone 23 hours and 15 minutes a day for the last six years,” she said. “I get to basically watch him deteriorate.” She mentioned the poor conditions in the prisons – such as contaminated water, theft and no toilet paper, toothpaste or soap.

She also discussed how she and her family have struggled with anger management, drug addictions, law suits within her family and being questioned by the public and the press.

“My family is destroyed,” she said. “We used to have parties and good food. It doesn’t happen anymore. I hate Christmas. I hate my birthday. My father got denied bail on my birthday.”

Martha Heinemann (SFS ’05) said that hearing from a family member of a death-row inmate left an impression on her. “It was powerful when she spoke. It brings it home. Most of us are lucky to go home to our parents,” she said. “I wish the whole campus could hear this.”

Kenny Collins, on death row for the past 15 years, spoke over a speakerphone from a Maryland prison. Collins said that he has lost his faith in the justice system and the Constitution.

“I think the death penalty should be abolished,” he said. “It’s not a deterrent to crime. [Being in prison] takes a mental toll on a person. That in itself is a punishment – you shouldn’t have to take another life.”

Collins also spoke about what he said he feels it is like as a death row inmate. “A day on death row is very difficult. It’s like you gotta wake up. And the reality is always there. You have to face it,” he said.

“The last time I touched another human being was eight years ago. It takes a toll on those who care and love me. It’s just put so much anger and frustration on them.”

Emily Volpe (COL ’04) said that hearing a death-row inmate was the most influential part of the panel. “[Kenny Collins] describes how he lives and how it’s important that people give support. They need hope,” Volpe said.

Lawrence Hayes, a former death-row inmate, spoke of his arrest, conviction and ultimate exoneration. “Police officers painted me as a vicious animal, but that’s not true,” he said.

He said that he was unfairly convicted and discriminated against as a black man. “It was an all-white jury, all average age,” he said. “A year after I was in prison, the attorney was found to have taken bribes. The judge was listed as a one of the 10 worst judges. The lawyer assigned to me was accused of crimes.”

The Campaign to End the Death Penalty is a national organization founded in 1995. Five people, starting with Steven Oken, are scheduled to be executed in Maryland shortly. The Campaign to End the Death Penalty sponsored the panel which will be followed a few weeks later by a demonstration at the Supermax Prison in Baltimore, where Collins is imprisoned.