The Johns Hopkins News-Letter - Death row exoneree tells life story

Bonowitz spoke first and requested those members of the audience who considered themselves against the death penalty to rise. Bonowitz himself, sporting a red shirt with the words "Stop Executions Now" flashing boldly in black, remained seated. He arose only to explain that once upon a time, his own slogan was "an eye for an eye," that he was once willing to "pull the switch myself. I tried to prove anti-death penalty people wrong," Bonowitz explained, "but I found out that I was wrong." He charted his progress from a staunch supporter to a fervent opponent, citing such factors as the inherent racism of the system, its high cost and lack of justice and equality.

Bill Pelke spoke next, focusing on three themes: love and compassion, his faith and "the healing power of forgiveness." In 1985, Pelke's grandmother, Ruth Elizabeth, a peaceful woman who spent her days telling Biblical stories to children , was stabbed to death by four teens, one of whom, Paula Cooper, was sentenced to death. But after witnessing Cooper's grandfather weeping in fear of losing her, Pelke decided, "My grandmother wouldn't wish [the death penalty] on her." In the end, he decided, "revenge is never, ever the answer: not even once."

Juan Melendez was sent to death row in 1983, for a crime he claims he did not commit. With a wide grin, Melendez explained, "I guess I've always been a survivor." Born in Puerto Rico and living in Brooklyn, N.Y., Melendez spoke for some time about his dangerous experiments with drugs and drug dealing, but declared, "I never imagined that one day I would be convicted for a crime I did not commit."

Melendez described his 16 years of unjust and inhumane treatment on death row. He spoke of living among rats, roaches, suicide and shackles, and his proximity to an electric death. "I was scared to die for something I did not do," he said. In 1999, he was exonerated, and "Puerto Rican Johnny" became Mr. Melendez, a fervent challenger of the death penalty.

A brief question and answer session followed the accounts of the three men. Sophomore Emilie Adams, a member of ACLU, spoke of the importance of the issue. "The more I learn," she said, "the more I [support] a position of greater abolition [of] the death penalty."