Dear Senator Sessions,
I recently started reading about the Innocence Protection Act, an act that, from what I understand, will require DNA testing and provide adequate council for people accused of capital crimes. The Act's sponsors included many Republicans, Democrats, and Independents in both the House and the Senate.
It has already passed in the House, but I read that you, and our former Attorney General Bill Pryor, do not support this Act. Is it that you think our justice system is working fine?
I read this quote from Bill Pryor: "If your concern is to protect the innocent from being executed, then you need not worry; it is not occurring and is highly unlikely to occur."
So is it not true that at least 96 people have been set free from death rows around the country since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976?
Then I read that you think this Act would curtail state control of its criminal justice system and give anti-death penalty activists a greater role in appointing lawyers than sitting judges, and raise the standards for a lawyer's competency to unattainable levels.
Are you still against the Innocense Protection Act? Do you care that there is a possibility that innocent people could be on death row in your own state? Why should we not be a more responsible society and really prove beyond a "shadow of a doubt" that someone is guilty before we sentence them to die?
DNA testing would help. So would appointing competent lawyers.
I sincerely hope that you will change your mind and support this Act.
-Josh Carples
more info:
Contact Senator Jeff Sessions
Innocence Protection Act
http://www.fa-ir.org/alabama/corrupt/drinkard.htm
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