The First VADP Awards Banquet

The First

Awards Banquet

Abolitionists from around the country gathered for VADP's first Awards Banquet on Saturday, May 1, 1999 in Charlottesville at the Doubletree Hotel. Actor/Activist Mike Farrell and retired Federal District Judge Robert R. Merhige helped VADP honor long time anti-death penalty activist and founder of Murder Victims Families for Reconciliation, Marie Deans, and longtime Virginia capital case litigator Gerald Zerkin with the Joseph M. Giarratano Award for "Truth in Action".

Henry Heller welcomes the crowd. Gerald Zerkin

Gerald Zerkin accepts his award. Marie Deans

Mike Farrell looks on as Marie Deans accepts her award from Lloyd Snook. Silen Auction

The silent auction (left) was a great fundraiser for VADP. "M*A*S*H" and "Providence" scripts, donated by Mike Farrell, were popular items, as was "Hope Lights My Heart" (right), an original painting donated by Greig Leach. Mike Farrell and the Reimers

VADP board member Troy Reimer and his wife, Chris, won the "Providence" script Mike Farrell autographed it for them. More photos will be posted. Check back here often!

About Joe Giarratano

Joseph M. Giarratano came within 1 day of being executed in 1991 when Gov. Douglas Wilder granted clemency citing reasonable doubt of guilt. The Attorney General refused to Joe Giarratano

grant Joe a new trial. Joe while on death row became a legal scholar, having been published in the Yale Law Journal and bringing Giarratano v Bass and Giarratano v Murray, cases which assured access to legal assistance.

He initiated an “Alternatives to Violence” program at Augusta Prison and after being transferred to prisons in Utah, where he uncovered human rights abuses and Illinois, is now incarcerated at Red Onion State Prison in Virginia where he continues to be an inspiration to fellow prisoners.

VADP is proud to name the award after Joe.

About Marie Deans

Marie Deans has been known as the “mother” of the anti death penalty movement in Virginia. Since coming to Virginia in 1983, Marie has fought endlessly for legal access, more humane conditions on Virginia’s death row, and assuring legal representation
for each condemned man. She provided assistance in over 220 trial level cases in Virginia, and only two of those defendents went to death row. She was part of the legal team in numerous clemency petitions, including those for Joe Giarratano, Earl Washington and Roger Coleman.
She founded the Virginia Coalition on Jails and Prisons in 1983 and was forced to close its office in 1993 due to lack of funds. Having experienced the loss of her mother-in-law in 1972, Ms. Deans founded Murder Victims’ Families for Reconciliation in 1976.

About Gerald Zerkin

Gerald Zerkin has been representing death row prisoners in Virginia since 1980. His familiarity with Virginia capital case law has made him one of the foremost experts in the field. He is well respected amongst Judges and legislators for his knowledge of the law. He often testifies in legislative committees and was amongst those responsible for the creation of the Virginia Capital Representation Resource Center.