California People of Faith Working Against the Death Penalty

California Bishops Support Life and Family Initiatives
Measures Will Require Parental Notification and End the Use of the Death Penalty.

UPDATE ON THE CASE OF DAVID RALEY
On August 10, 2011, the California Supreme Court directed the Santa Clara County Superior Court to hold a hearing to consider the evidence that David is mentally retarded. If the court finds him to be retarded, he would be resentenced to life without parole. The case has not yet been assigned to a superior court judge, and the schedule for the proceedings in the superior court has not yet been set. There will be many procedural steps before the case will be ready for a hearing. The case will be decided by a judge alone, without a jury. Lawyers in the San Francisco office of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, a large international law firm, have taken on David’s case pro bono.

UPDATE ON LETHAL INJECTION
The pretense of lethal injection as a peaceful and painless way to execute prisoners is unraveling, and this may change the face of the death penalty in the United States.

Bishop Andrus Comments on the Death Penalty
At a dinner hosted by Rev. Sylvia Vasquez, on June 7, 2011 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Walnut Creek, Bishop Marc Andrus, Episcopal Bishop of California, expressed appreciation for the work of California People of Faith to abolish the death penalty. He noted that in the past he had supported abolition of the death penalty for juveniles in Alabama. He went on to wish California People of Faith success in our efforts to abolish the death penalty.

Opinion: Death penalty takes resources away from solving other murders
…When I hear stories of inmates on death row for murders that happened decades ago, I am filled with rage against the death penalty, but not for the reasons you might think. by Judy Kerr, Special to San Jose Mercury News

Faith Formation Conference Provides 'Catholic Perspective on the Death Penalty' pdf
“Catholic Perspective on the Death Penalty” was a workshop presented at the 2009 Faith
Formation Conference, facilitated by Terry McCaffrey, member and current president of
California People of Faith Working Against the Death Penalty (CPF).

20 Years Of Defending Death Row Inmates
David Dow reviewed his new book "Autobiography of an Execution" Terrie Gross's Fresh Air on February 5th. The interview is available on line by going to NPR, Fresh Air on Google.

1000 Congregations Campaign Launched 1000 Congregations Campaign logo
This campaign has the objective of reaching 1000 congregations throughout the state to commit to engage in dialogue, discernment, education and prayer on the death penalty.

Victim's Mother Speaks Out Against Death Penalty
A CD is available of Vicki Schieber speaking about the murder and rape of her daughter Shannon and her opposition to the death penalty.

Opinion: California can't afford the death penalty
Eliminating capital punishment, which is rarely carried out anyhow, would save the state $125 million a year, LA Times

The Colloseo shines for New Mexico
The Ancient Colosseum of Rome shines for the Abolition of the Death Penalty in New Mexico. (from DPF blog)

Sister Helen Prejean equates lethal injection with torture
Prejean, author of "Dead Man Walking," described lethal injection as "tantamount to torture" at speaking event in Palo Alto on November 21.

California Commission on Fair Administration finds California’s Death Penalty System Full of Flaws
All 22 members of the Commission agree that our capital punishment system is dysfunctional.

"The Death Penalty: What People of Faith Should Know" is available from CPF
Get your copy of the Powerpoint presentation by CPF's Terry McCaffrey and Eric deBode.

Statement of Conscience & Declaration of Life
Download and sign these important documents.