THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 12, 1997 TAG: 9701100007
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 22 lines
In early November it was in real horror that I watched, waited and prayed as Virginia prepared to kill, very probably, an innocent man. Mercifully, Joe Payne was spared at the last moment by the governor.
That whole episode brings the death penalty and the ridiculous 21-day rule into sharp focus. Killing a person for killing a person makes us killers too. And having a rule which refuses new evidence which could save a condemned person is absurd. The 21-day rule prohibits death-row inmates from having any court consider evidence discovered more than 21 days after conviction.
The death penalty does not deter crime, and the 21-day rule doesn't serve justice. Let's repeal the 21-day rule and abolish the death penalty in our state and nation.
THERESA G. DUNLEAVY
Norfolk, Dec. 29, 1996