INNOCENCE AND THE DEATH PENALTY:
PRISONERS PARDONED POSTHUMOUSLY
To date, 7 prisoners sentenced to death in the USA have been pardoned years after their execution (+1 resolution in Texas), as in other countries across the world who have now formally abolished the death penalty.
COLORADO (1)
Joe Arridy (pardoned in 2011, 72 years after his execution) - Case of over-whelming innocence
Colorado Governor Bill Ritter granted a full and unconditional posthumous pardon to Joe Arridy, who had been convicted and executed as an accomplice to a murder that occurred in 1936. The pardon came 72 years after Arridy’s execution and is the first such pardon in Colorado history. A press release from the governor's office stated, "[A]n overwhelming body of evidence indicates the 23-year-old Arridy was innocent, including false and coerced confessions, the likelihood that Arridy was not in Pueblo at the time of the killing, and an admission of guilt by someone else." The governor also pointed to Arridy's intellectual disabilities. He had an IQ of 46 and functioned like a toddler. The governor said, “Granting a posthumous pardon is an extraordinary remedy. But the tragic conviction of Mr. Arridy and his subsequent execution on Jan. 6, 1939, merit such relief based on the great likelihood that Mr. Arridy was, in fact, innocent of the crime for which he was executed, and his severe mental disability at the time of his trial and execution. Pardoning Mr. Arridy cannot undo this tragic event in Colorado history. It is in the interests of justice and simple decency, however, to restore his good name.”
The governor's press release gives significant credit to Mr. Arridy's attorney, David Martinez: "The request for Arridy’s pardon was brought to Gov. Ritter by local attorney David A. Martinez, who has spent years researching the case."
WATCH - "72 Years after Execution, a Posthumous Pardon," 9News.com, January 8, 2011). Read Gov. Ritter's statement of pardon.
Colorado Governor Bill Ritter granted a full and unconditional posthumous pardon to Joe Arridy, who had been convicted and executed as an accomplice to a murder that occurred in 1936. The pardon came 72 years after Arridy’s execution and is the first such pardon in Colorado history. A press release from the governor's office stated, "[A]n overwhelming body of evidence indicates the 23-year-old Arridy was innocent, including false and coerced confessions, the likelihood that Arridy was not in Pueblo at the time of the killing, and an admission of guilt by someone else." The governor also pointed to Arridy's intellectual disabilities. He had an IQ of 46 and functioned like a toddler. The governor said, “Granting a posthumous pardon is an extraordinary remedy. But the tragic conviction of Mr. Arridy and his subsequent execution on Jan. 6, 1939, merit such relief based on the great likelihood that Mr. Arridy was, in fact, innocent of the crime for which he was executed, and his severe mental disability at the time of his trial and execution. Pardoning Mr. Arridy cannot undo this tragic event in Colorado history. It is in the interests of justice and simple decency, however, to restore his good name.”
The governor's press release gives significant credit to Mr. Arridy's attorney, David Martinez: "The request for Arridy’s pardon was brought to Gov. Ritter by local attorney David A. Martinez, who has spent years researching the case."
WATCH - "72 Years after Execution, a Posthumous Pardon," 9News.com, January 8, 2011). Read Gov. Ritter's statement of pardon.
GEORGIA (1)
Lena Baker (Pardoned 2005, 60 years after her execution) - Case of voluntary manslaughter in self-defence
The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles has announced that it will issue a formal pardon this month for Lena Baker (pictured), the only woman executed in the state during the 20th century. The document, signed by all five of the current board members, will note that the parole board's 1945 decision to deny Baker clemency and allow her execution was "a grievous error, as this case called out for mercy." Baker, an African American, was executed for the murder of Ernest Knight, a white man who hired her . Baker was tried, convicted, and sentenced to die in one day by an all-white, all-male jury. Baker claimed she shot Knight in self-defense after he locked her in his gristmill and threatened her with a metal pipe. The pardon notes that Baker "could have been charged with voluntary manslaughter, rather than murder, for the death of E.B. Knight." The average sentence for voluntary manslaughter is 15 years in prison. Baker's picture and her last words are currently displayed near the retired electric chair at a museum at Georgia State Prison in Reidsville. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, August 16, 2005).
The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles has announced that it will issue a formal pardon this month for Lena Baker (pictured), the only woman executed in the state during the 20th century. The document, signed by all five of the current board members, will note that the parole board's 1945 decision to deny Baker clemency and allow her execution was "a grievous error, as this case called out for mercy." Baker, an African American, was executed for the murder of Ernest Knight, a white man who hired her . Baker was tried, convicted, and sentenced to die in one day by an all-white, all-male jury. Baker claimed she shot Knight in self-defense after he locked her in his gristmill and threatened her with a metal pipe. The pardon notes that Baker "could have been charged with voluntary manslaughter, rather than murder, for the death of E.B. Knight." The average sentence for voluntary manslaughter is 15 years in prison. Baker's picture and her last words are currently displayed near the retired electric chair at a museum at Georgia State Prison in Reidsville. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, August 16, 2005).
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MARYLAND (1)
John Snowden (executed 1919, pardoned in 2001)
The murder of a pregnant naval officer's wife in Maryland sent John Snowden, a 29-year-old black man, to the gallows in February of 1919. He professed his innocence until the day he hanged. Even given one last chance to confess, he said, "I could not leave this world with a lie in my mouth."
Snowden had a loose connection to the victim, Lottie Brandon: He drove an ice truck in her neighborhood. Yet he endured hours of questioning and abuse from the police.
2 of the main trial witnesses eventually recanted their testimony, according to a report distributed through the Death Penalty Information Center. The jurors who convicted him even became convinced of his innocence: 11 of the 12 wrote the state government, asking it to commute Snowden's sentence.
In 2001, then-Maryland Gov. Parris Glendening finally gave John Snowden a full pardon.
"The more I looked into it, the more I said, 'Something's just not right here,'" Glendening told the Baltimore Sun.
The murder of a pregnant naval officer's wife in Maryland sent John Snowden, a 29-year-old black man, to the gallows in February of 1919. He professed his innocence until the day he hanged. Even given one last chance to confess, he said, "I could not leave this world with a lie in my mouth."
Snowden had a loose connection to the victim, Lottie Brandon: He drove an ice truck in her neighborhood. Yet he endured hours of questioning and abuse from the police.
2 of the main trial witnesses eventually recanted their testimony, according to a report distributed through the Death Penalty Information Center. The jurors who convicted him even became convinced of his innocence: 11 of the 12 wrote the state government, asking it to commute Snowden's sentence.
In 2001, then-Maryland Gov. Parris Glendening finally gave John Snowden a full pardon.
"The more I looked into it, the more I said, 'Something's just not right here,'" Glendening told the Baltimore Sun.
NEBRASKA (1)
William Jackson Marion (1887, pardoned in 1987)
Marion was sentenced to death for the murder of John Cameron. Marion was convicted, and sentenced to death, and went to the gallows on March 25, 1887, proclaiming — as he had from the beginning — that he was innocent.
Four years later, Cameron turned up alive.
On the centennial of Marion's execution — March 25, 1987 — Nebraska Governor Bob Kerrey granted William Jackson Marion, posthumously, a full pardon based on innocence.
READ article from Rob Warden (Executive Director for the Center on Wrongful convictions)
Marion was sentenced to death for the murder of John Cameron. Marion was convicted, and sentenced to death, and went to the gallows on March 25, 1887, proclaiming — as he had from the beginning — that he was innocent.
Four years later, Cameron turned up alive.
On the centennial of Marion's execution — March 25, 1987 — Nebraska Governor Bob Kerrey granted William Jackson Marion, posthumously, a full pardon based on innocence.
READ article from Rob Warden (Executive Director for the Center on Wrongful convictions)
PENNSYLVANIA (1)
Jack Kehoe (executed 1878, pardoned 1979)
Jack Kehoe - leader of an anti-Civil War group called the Molly Maguires - was hanged by the state of Pennsylvania in 1878 for the murder of a dissenting coal miner named Frank Langdon.
Police first charged Kehoe's group with threatening to kill Langdon, and when he turned up dead days later, they handcuffed Kehoe 1st.
Despite no physical evidence linking Kehoe to the scene of the crime, a mining big-wig at the time named Franklin Gowan rallied for Kehoe to be put to death.
In 1978, Kehoe's great-grandson asked for his pardon. He claimed Gowan stacked the jury, some of whom didn't even speak English, against Kehoe, among other stilted circumstances, the Beaver County Times reported.
In 1979, then-Gov. Milton J. Shapp issued a full pardon to Kehoe, proclaiming him innocent.
Jack Kehoe - leader of an anti-Civil War group called the Molly Maguires - was hanged by the state of Pennsylvania in 1878 for the murder of a dissenting coal miner named Frank Langdon.
Police first charged Kehoe's group with threatening to kill Langdon, and when he turned up dead days later, they handcuffed Kehoe 1st.
Despite no physical evidence linking Kehoe to the scene of the crime, a mining big-wig at the time named Franklin Gowan rallied for Kehoe to be put to death.
In 1978, Kehoe's great-grandson asked for his pardon. He claimed Gowan stacked the jury, some of whom didn't even speak English, against Kehoe, among other stilted circumstances, the Beaver County Times reported.
In 1979, then-Gov. Milton J. Shapp issued a full pardon to Kehoe, proclaiming him innocent.
SOUTH CAROLINA (2)
Thomas and Meeks Griffin (pardoned in 2009, 94 years after their execution) - Cases of false accusation
The South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services voted 7-0 to pardon Thomas Griffin and Meeks Griffin for the 1913 murder of former Confederate Army veteran John Q . Lewis. The pair were executed in 1915 for the murder after another man, Monk Stephenson, plead guilty and received a life sentence in exchange for implicating the Griffins. "Stevenson later told a fellow inmate that he had implicated the Griffin brothers because he believed they were wealthy enough to pay for legal counsel, and as such would be acquitted," said legal historian Paul Finkelman. Two others, Nelson Brice and John Crosby, were also executed for the crime. The pair were great uncles of nationally syndicated radio show host Tom Joyner. "It's good for the community. It's good for the nation. Anytime that you can repair racism in this country is a step forward," Joyner said. (CNN.com, October 15, 2009).
The South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services voted 7-0 to pardon Thomas Griffin and Meeks Griffin for the 1913 murder of former Confederate Army veteran John Q . Lewis. The pair were executed in 1915 for the murder after another man, Monk Stephenson, plead guilty and received a life sentence in exchange for implicating the Griffins. "Stevenson later told a fellow inmate that he had implicated the Griffin brothers because he believed they were wealthy enough to pay for legal counsel, and as such would be acquitted," said legal historian Paul Finkelman. Two others, Nelson Brice and John Crosby, were also executed for the crime. The pair were great uncles of nationally syndicated radio show host Tom Joyner. "It's good for the community. It's good for the nation. Anytime that you can repair racism in this country is a step forward," Joyner said. (CNN.com, October 15, 2009).
TEXAS (1 - Resolution passed)
Chipita Rodriguez - Case of unfair trial
Chipita Rodriguez was hanged in San Patricio County, Texas in 1863 for murdering a horse trader. A century later, on June 13, 1985, the Texas Legislature passed a resolution noting that Rodriguez did not receive a fair trial. She has been the subject of two operas, numerous books, newspaper articles, and magazine accounts.
Although Rodriguez maintained her innocence, she refused to testify in her defense and remained silent throughout the trial, perhaps, some have speculated, to protect her guilty son. Although the jury recommended mercy, she was hanged on Friday, November 13, 1863. She was 63 at the time of her death
Her last words were quoted with being, "No soy culpable" (I am not guilty).
Chipita Rodriguez was hanged in San Patricio County, Texas in 1863 for murdering a horse trader. A century later, on June 13, 1985, the Texas Legislature passed a resolution noting that Rodriguez did not receive a fair trial. She has been the subject of two operas, numerous books, newspaper articles, and magazine accounts.
Although Rodriguez maintained her innocence, she refused to testify in her defense and remained silent throughout the trial, perhaps, some have speculated, to protect her guilty son. Although the jury recommended mercy, she was hanged on Friday, November 13, 1863. She was 63 at the time of her death
Her last words were quoted with being, "No soy culpable" (I am not guilty).
2013: ALABAMA (9 pardoned posthumously, never executed)
On April 4, the Alabama House of Representatives voted 103-0 in favor of a bill to posthumously pardon the "Scottsboro Boys," nine black teenagers who were wrongfully convicted of the rape of two white women in 1931. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 29-0, and Gov. Robert Bentley has indicated he will sign it. All but one of the group were sentenced to death by all-white juries with virtually no legal representation. The military had to protect them from angry mobs. They lingered on death row for years. Eventually, after several arguments in the U.S. Supreme Court on the right to counsel and proper selection of juries, all of them were freed without execution. Through the years of appeals, one of the women who accused the group of rape recanted and said the claim was a lie. Sen. Arthur Orr, a Republican sponsor of the bill, said, "Their lives were ruined by the convictions. By doing this, it sends a very positive message nationally and internationally that this is a different state than we were many years ago." The last of the group of defendants died in 1989. (photo: Brown Brothers, Sterling, PA). (B. Johnson & J. Washington, "Ala. Lawmakers Vote to Pardon the Scottsboro Boys," Associated Press, April 4, 2013). Source: DPIC
Deborah Webster, the daughter of one of the member of the group, in her first interview since her father's death 24 years ago, told BBC arts correspondent Vincent Dowd how she had felt when he explained what had happened to him: "I was hurt and I could see the hurt in his eyes as well... I've seen so much pain in his eyes and that pain never left.""I will always remain proud of my father and I am very honoured to be his daughter," she added. Read "Scottsboro Boy" daughter proud, BBC
Deborah Webster, the daughter of one of the member of the group, in her first interview since her father's death 24 years ago, told BBC arts correspondent Vincent Dowd how she had felt when he explained what had happened to him: "I was hurt and I could see the hurt in his eyes as well... I've seen so much pain in his eyes and that pain never left.""I will always remain proud of my father and I am very honoured to be his daughter," she added. Read "Scottsboro Boy" daughter proud, BBC
Other nations
AUSTRALIA
(Source: Internet)
. Colin Campbell Ross (Executed 1922, pardoned 2008)
UK
(Source: Internet)
. Timothy Evans (Executed 1950, pardoned 1966)
, Mahmood Hussein Mattan (Executed 1952, overturned 1998)
. George Kelly (Executed 1950, quashed 2003)
. Derek Bentley(Executed 1953, quashed 1998)
(Source: Internet)
. Colin Campbell Ross (Executed 1922, pardoned 2008)
UK
(Source: Internet)
. Timothy Evans (Executed 1950, pardoned 1966)
, Mahmood Hussein Mattan (Executed 1952, overturned 1998)
. George Kelly (Executed 1950, quashed 2003)
. Derek Bentley(Executed 1953, quashed 1998)
