Click here to subscribe today or Login.
Thursday, January 27, 2000 Page: 10A
Lately there has been talk and letters about the death penalty. I am
glad that some people are interested in our justice system. I am not against
the death penalty if it is given for a heinous crime. But I do not think it
should be lawful unless we can be sure that an innocent person is not
convicted, and it is given equally to a rich, well-connected person as to a
poor person without influential friends.
I wish that more citizens would educate themselves about our justice system
and not write letters that advocate the death penalty saying, “life sentences
are rarely carried out in America. The average time spent in prison for a life
sentence is less than 10 years” (Jan. 19).
In Pennsylvania, “life means life” with no hope of parole. A fine
gentleman had an unfair trial in Philadelphia, was wrongly convicted of
first-degree murder by an unknowledgeable jury and was sent to prison for
life.
He spent his days teaching in the education building and doing good things
in general. He inspired those on the inside, as well as us on the outside, who
were blessed to meet him.
He spent 21 years in prison until he died from cancer, after the diagnosis
came too late to do anything for him.
Our justice system is greatly flawed. Something positive can be done if
society would take the time to learn the truth, concern themselves and become
actively involved. Injustice will not exist in a country whose citizens do not
allow it to. In America where we pledge “liberty and justice for all,”
should we do less?
I write this in memory of Charles A. Sturdavant, who believed in justice
for all, but did not receive it himself.
Nancy Smith
Wilkes-Barre