| Supported by VADP |
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A Moratorium on Executions: VADP supports an immediate moratorium on executions to examine the issues in the capital justice system. We are concerned with the arbitrary application of the death penalty which is biased on the basis of race, geographic location, and socio-economic status. Additionally, during this economic and budgetary crisis in the Commonwealth, it is crucial that we examine the high financial cost of the death penalty to the taxpayers of Virginia. Although a capital punishment cost study has not yet been conducted in Virginia, numerous cost studies conducted in other states have concluded that the death penalty is more costly than life imprisonment. VADP is also extremely concerned with the possibility of executing an innocent man or woman. In Virginia we have had one exoneration from death row since 1976 and there have been 130 exonerations from death row nationwide during that timeframe. For these reasons, VADP will urge lawmakers to take a “time out” to examine a system that hands down the ultimate punishment.
The Abolition of the Death Penalty: VADP supports HB 1755 which will abolish the death penalty for all Class 1 felonies committed on or after July 1, 2009. We maintain that the best interests of the citizens of the Commonwealth are served by abolishing the death penalty. For the reasons described above as well as the moral objections that many of our members hold, we call for the repeal of the death penalty. Promoting Equal Justice:
VADP Supports SB
939 which provides that an indigent defendant who has been charged
with a capital offense may move in circuit court for the appointment of experts
to assist in the preparation of his defense. The presiding judge shall designate
another judge in the judicial circuit who may hold an ex-parte hearing on such a
motion and may order the appointment of an expert. Prior to an ex-parte
proceeding, communication or request, a particularized need for confidentiality
must be demonstrated in an adversarial proceeding. A motion for an ex-parte
hearing shall be in writing and filed under seal and any ex-parte hearing
conducted shall be on the record and kept under seal as part of the record of
the case. The court may unseal the record after the trial is concluded for good
cause shown. This bill helps
to level the playing field to assure more equal justice. VADP is working in
concert with multiple allies on this bill and is providing support as
requested. |
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