Press Release

Citizens United for Alternatives to the Death Penalty is pleased to forward the following press release. Contact MVFR directly for further details....

For Immediate Release: 18 December 2003

MURDER VICTIMS' FAMILIES FOR RECONCILIATION PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT:
Renny Cushing
Executive Director
617-868-0007
E-Mail cushing@mvfr.org
Web Site: www.mvfr.org

REPORT SHINES NEW LIGHT ON JUVENILE DEATH PENALTY, VICTIMS' FAMILY MEMBERS

"I Don't Want Another Kid to Die" Features Murder Victims' Family Members Who Oppose Execution of Juvenile Offenders

Dec. 18, 2003 - As the trial of juvenile offender Lee Malvo draws to a close in Virginia and the merits of the juvenile death penalty continue to fuel debate across the nation, a leading national victims' rights group today released a report examining the juvenile death penalty in the United States from a unique perspective: relatives of murder victims whose loved ones were killed by juvenile offenders.

The report, "I don't want another kid to die: Families of Victims Murdered by Juveniles Oppose Juvenile Executions," was released today by Murder Victims' Families for Reconciliation. It details the experiences of families of victims murdered by juveniles who oppose the death penalty. The report also details the story of Ireland and Rena Beazley, whose son, Napoleon Beazley, was a juvenile offender executed by the state of Texas in 2002.

"This report is a statement against state killing of juveniles, made by those who know violent loss most intimately and have been most directly affected by juvenile crime," said Renny Cushing, MVFR Executive Director. "The voices of victims who oppose the death penalty are often ignored and suppressed when capital punishment is debated in the United States today. Legislators, opinion-shapers, and members of the general public need to know that victims do not all speak with one voice on this important public policy issue."

More than 70 juvenile offenders are on death row in the United States, about half of whom are in Texas and Alabama. "I don't want another kid to die" focuses on 10 cases involving juvenile offenders from California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, Tennessee, and Texas. From the tragic events in 1999 at Columbine High School to the horrific consequences of gang violence, each story featured in this report speaks to how the surviving family members who lost loved ones to murder view the juvenile death penalty and its impact on their lives.

Tom Mauser, a former supporter of the death penalty who lost a son during the attack on Columbine, notes, "I have come to learn that even with the death of my son's killer, even with the pressure of those in society who rush us to 'reach closure,' there is no closure when you lose a child. I believe that a death sentence is merely an attempt to gain revenge, not closure. I believe that a barbaric, violent act of revenge is not a way to honor the life of our loved one."

Founded in 1976, MVFR is a national organization of family members of victims of both homicide and state killings who oppose the death penalty in all cases. MVFR supports programs that reduce the rate of homicide and promote crime prevention and alternatives to violence. Last year, MVFR released a report, "Dignity Denied: The Experience of Murder Victims' Family Members Who Oppose the Death Penalty," which broke new ground in documenting the extent to which prosecutors, attorney general offices and victim services offices shun victims' relatives if they voice opposition to capital punishment.

Below is a list of individuals profiled in "I don't want another kid to die: Families of Victims Murdered by Juveniles Oppose Juvenile Executions:"

Sadie Bankston, Omaha, NE. Sadie Bankston's 19-year-old son Wendell was murdered by a 16-year-old in Nebraska in 1989. Sadie leads a violence-prevention and support group in the Omaha area called PULSE, and has spoken against the death penalty to groups of college students. Contact: (402) 706-1861.

Rena and Ireland Beazley, Grapeland, TX. Rena and Ireland Beazley's son Napoleon was executed by the state of Texas in 2002 for a murder he committed in 1994, when he was 17. His execution drew international attention, and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights recently issued a report saying that it violated the standard of international law. Contact: (936) 687-2835.

Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins, Northfield, IL. Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins' sister Nancy and brother-in-law Richard were killed in their home in Winnetka, Illinois in 1990 by a 16-year-old who is now serving a life sentence in prison. Jennifer is on the MVFR Board of Directors and active with other anti-death penalty groups. Contact: (847) 331-2704.

Juan and Martha Cotera, Austin, TX. Juan and Martha Cotera's 25-year-old son Juan Javier was murdered in a carjacking and drowning in Austin, Texas in 1997. The Coteras, long-time political activists, opposed the death penalty for their son's killers and now lobby against the death penalty and in support of early intervention programs for at-risk youth. Contact: (512) 444-8431.

Regina Hockett, Nashville, TN. Regina Hockett's 12-year-old daughter Adriane was killed in 1995 by a 16- and 17-year-old, who are now on death row in Tennessee. Regina participated in the Million Mom March and speaks frequently to church and school groups about her opposition to the death penalty. Contact: (615) 244-0475.

Robert Hoelscher, New Orleans, LA. Robert Hoelscher's father Ben was murdered by a 17-year-old in Houston in 1961, when Robert was 7. The shooter is serving life in prison. Robert is the Executive Director of the Innocence Project-New Orleans, which takes cases of defendants who claim they were wrongfully convicted. Contact: (504) 522-4766.

Azim Khamisa, San Diego, CA. Azim Khamisa's 20-year-old son Tariq was shot and killed in San Diego in 1995 by a 14-year-old who then became the first juvenile in California to be tried as an adult. Azim joined with the young shooter's grandfather to create the Tariq Khamisa Foundation, the mission of which is to stop children from killing children. Contact: (619) 525-0062

Tom Mauser, Littleton, CO. Tom Mauser's 15-year-old son Daniel was killed during the shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado in 1999. Tom supported the death penalty prior to the shootings but is now adamantly against it. He has worked with SAFE Colorado (Sane Alternatives to the Firearms Epidemic). Contact: (303) 757-9768.

Bill Pelke, Anchorage, AK. Bill Pelke's grandmother Ruth was murdered in her Indiana home by four teenage girls, one of whom, at 16, became the youngest female death row inmate in the country at the time. After initially supporting the death penalty, Bill waged a campaign to overturn the girl's death sentence, and she is now serving 60 years in prison. Bill is the founder of the speaking tour "The Journey of Hope - from Violence to Healing." Contact: (877) 924-4483.

Linda White, Magnolia, TX. Linda White's 26-year-old daughter Cathy was raped and murdered in Texas by two 15-year-olds. Linda now serves on MVFR's board of directors and teaches in Texas prisons. Contact: (713) 502-8981.

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SENT BY:
 
Abraham J. Bonowitz
Director, CUADP

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