Text of letter from Amnesty International USA
Executive Director William F. Schulz
November 29, 2005
Governor Mark Sanford
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 12267
Columbia, SC 29211
Fax: 803-734-5167
Dear Governor:
On behalf of more than 320,000 members of Amnesty International USA, I appeal to you to grant clemency to Shawn Humphries in the interest of justice and the reputation of the state of South Carolina. Mr. Humphries is scheduled to be executed on December 2nd for the 1994 murder of Mendal Alton “Dickie” Smith.
Mr. Humphries’ execution is currently scheduled to be the 1,002nd execution to take place in the United States since the Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976. As the United States passes the gruesome milestone of one thousand executions, more and more Americans are turning away from the death penalty, including many people in South Carolina who believe that Mr. Humphries does not deserve to be executed. Beyond issues of moral opposition, questions loom regarding issues of innocence, fairness, race, cost, and deterrence with regard to the administration of the death penalty. These questions reflect worldwide qualms about capital punishment; over 70 countries have abolished the death penalty since the United States reinstated it in 1976.
Nearly every religious denomination in the United States, as well as the American Bar Association, has called for a national halt on all executions because the system is so seriously flawed. Additionally, organizations such as Murder Victims’ Families for Human Rights are highlighting the fact that the death penalty is an illusory form of justice that brings no closure to those who are victims of violent crime. The billions of dollars we have spent on these 1,000 executions could have been better invested in programs that assist victims’ family members and prevent crimes in the first place.
While I have tremendous sympathy for the family and friends of Mendal Alton “Dickie” Smith, I believe that capital punishment only perpetuates an endless cycle of violence that ultimately benefits no one.
I strongly urge you to demonstrate your respect for justice and human life by granting clemency to Shawn Humphries. Thank you for your time and attention to this very serious matter.
Sincerely,
William F. Schulz
Executive Director, Amnesty International USA
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