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Decision on Hearing of Sam Sheppard Case

  • MEDIA ADVISORIES

    For Sept 10, 97 Kick-off alternatives / memorial walk across Ohio
    For Sept 19, 97 Sheppard & Reese cousins discuss burial, effects of case
    For Sept 23, 97 Alternatives / memorial walk goes past Ohio's Death Row
    For Sept 27, 97 Sheppard denies visit with key suspect in father's case
    For Sept 30, 97 Sheppard enters final stretch of walk across Ohio
    For Oct 2, 97 Sheppard alternatives / momorial walk arrives in Cincinnatti
    For Oct 6, 97 Sheppard ends alterntives / memorial walk at Ohio River
    For Jan. 12, 98 Ohio Supreme Courth decide if Sheppard case will be heard

SEPTEMBER 10, 1997

CONTACT: Abe Bonowitz or Jim Tobin: 614-224-7147
Pager: 888-998-2192
Voicemail: 800-973-6548

SAM REESE SHEPPARD TO KICK-OFF ALTERNATIVES / MEMORIAL WALK ACROSS OHIO

11:00 AM
September 16, 1997
State Capitol Atrium

Sam Reese Sheppard, son of Dr. Sam Sheppard and Marilyn Reese Sheppard, will discuss plans for an 18 day walk from Cleveland to Cincinnati in memory of his parents & all children whose lives have been touched by the tragedy of violence in our society. Sheppard, who was age seven at the time his mother was murdered, grew up visiting his father -- who had been wrongfully convicted of his wife's murder -- in Ohio State Penitentiaries at Columbus and Marion. Sam Reese Sheppard and others will urge Ohio citizens to consider the recent call for a national moratorium on executions by the American Bar Association and to learn more about viable alternatives to the death penalty already available by law.

The Alternatives / Memorial Walk Across Ohio begins on Wednesday morning with the exhumation of Dr. Sheppard for DNA testing as part of a civil suit filed by the Sheppard estate seeking a complete declaration of the innocence of Dr. Sheppard from the State of Ohio.

Additional Dates of Interest:

  • 17 September: Exhumation in Columbus, press conference in Cleveland at the office of the Cayahoga County Coroner prior to and immediately after Samples are harvested from the body of Dr. Sheppard
  • 18 September: Start of Alternatives / Memorial Walk; in Cleveland (am)
  • 19 September: Noon hour press conference in Cleveland area
  • Additional dates and full schedule of the walk will be released on September 16th.

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SEPTEMBER 19, 1997

 

Contact: Abe Bonowitz
Voice mail: 800-973-6548 x-3
Pager: 888-998-2192

SAM REESE SHEPPARD & REESE COUSINS
DISCUSS BURIAL, EFFECTS OF CASE
September 19, 1997, 12:00 PM
Bay Village, OH

Sam Reese Sheppard, son of Dr. Sam Sheppard and Marilyn Reese Sheppard, today ended his period of silent mourning after he walked past the site of the house where his mother was murdered in 1954. He was joined by two cousins from the Reese family as he continued his 18-day Alternatives / Memorial Walk Across Ohio -- two days after the exhumation of Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard and one day after Dr. Sheppard's cremated remains were placed inside a crypt with the body of Marilyn Reese Sheppard. "It was a very beautiful service," said Melissa Reese Weigle, of Concord, Ohio. "It was so moving to know that finally, after all of this time, Sam's mother and father are together again. We know that Dr. Sheppard was innocent. I just hope that all of the people who are still saying he was guilty will open their eyes and their minds and see the truth"

"We grew up hearing that Dr. Sam was guilty of killing Marilyn, and not only that, everyone had an opinion, and they still do," said Linda Weigle. "I would like to read the statement which I gave on behalf of the Reese family last night at Knollwood Cemetery.

"We, as members of Marilyn and Sam's family, are gathered here today with her loving son to reunite his mother and father for eternity. May they, in spirit, return to the happy, carefree times we all enjoyed prior to the tragic events of July 4th, 1954.

"Dr. Sam's separation from his wife will no longer have to be endured and Marilyn will no longer be alone.

"We must also honor all of the deceased Sheppard and Reese family members for the suffering they lived with during their lifetimes because of Marilyn's death.

"May the future generations of this family carry on with the truth prevailing. Marilyn and Sam, God bless you, and may you rest in peace."

"We are here to stand with Sam Reese Sheppard," continued Weigle, "We love him. We are proud of him and we want to be very very clear that we support the work he has been doing to promote the American Bar Association's call for a moratorium on the death penalty. It is wrong to put children through the nightmares that come when violence touches their lives. Our family knows all to well how far-reaching a murder in the family can be."

"We need to reexamine the motives that re-enforce the expression of revenge and retaliation in our society," said Sam Reese Sheppard. "We should reallocate funding to prevent murder and to help the victims family members and the offender family members socially and psychologically. One of the goals of the Alternatives / Memorial Walk Across Ohio is to call attention to the plight of children whose lives are touched by the tragedy of violence in our society -- the children who must live the rest of their lives with the anguish of a murdered parent, or a parent awaiting execution. Please understand that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder affects everyone who is in contact with the experience of violence. When Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is present and unacknowledged or dealt with, it damages the lives of those who suffer from it, and everyone around them. The death penalty and other aspects of our criminal justice system are horribly backwards institutions which cause more long lasting problems than anyone might imagine."

Sheppard, who was age seven at the time his mother was murdered, grew up visiting his father the man wrongly accused of murdering his wife and whose story inspired the movie, "The Fugitive" in Ohio State Penitentiaries at Columbus and Marion.

Yesterday, Sheppard began the Alternatives /Memorial Walk Across Ohio under a self imposed vow of silence as a part of his practice of Zen Buddhism. This was the first time he spoke publicly since Wednesday after the body of his father was delivered to the Cuyahoga Coroner's office. "I want to thank my friends and family for the wonderful support they have been to me at this time. I wish to thank the Cuyahoga County Coroner and her staff for the dignity and respect which she showed to me and to my father yesterday during the harvesting of samples of tissue from my fathers body for DNA testing. I also wish to thank the news media for their continued restraint and respect for my privacy and the privacy of those who are touched by this case. Thank you.

"My friends and I urge the people of Ohio to look at the American Bar Association's study, calling for a moratorium on the death penalty in the USA because of its unfairness, disparity and futility," said Sheppard. "We believe that politicians who push for the death penalty are out of touch with the true aspects of a humane people. The alternative of 25 years or more without possibility of parole, with restitution payments to the victims families, proves to be the answer which will allow us to look beyond the fear and division so that we may build communities of caring and peace."

The Alternatives / Memorial Walk Across Ohio began in spirit on Wednesday morning with the exhumation of Dr. Sheppard for DNA testing as part of a civil suit filed by the Sheppard estate seeking a complete declaration of the innocence of Dr. Sheppard from the State of Ohio.

Citizens United for Alternatives to the Death Penalty recommends Dr. Frank Ochberg as a national expert on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Professor Sue Carter is an expert on PTSD as it affects Journalists and those they cover. Please contact these people for further details on PTSD at 517-349-6333.

A full schedule of the walk and information about local events throughout the state is available by calling 1-800-973-6548.

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SEPTEMBER 23, 1997

 

CONTACT:

Abe Bonowitz
Voicemail: 800-973-6548 ext. #3
Pager: 888-998-2192 (PLEASE NOTE: Our pager does not always work in rural areas - your best bet is to leave a message on the voicemail - we'll get back within a few hours at the most.)

SAM REESE SHEPPARD CONTINUES ALTERNATIVES / MEMORIAL WALK PAST OHIO'S DEATH ROW

4:30 PM (approximately)
September 23, 1997
State Route 13, just north of State Route 30

Sam Reese Sheppard, son of Dr. Sam Sheppard and Marilyn Reese Sheppard, will leave his predetermined Alternatives / Memorial Walk Across Ohio route from Cleveland to Cincinnati to walk past Mansfield Correctional institution (ManCI). He will be joined by a small group of murder victims family members, family members of Ohio death row inmates, and other supporters from across Ohio and elsewhere. Sheppard, who was age seven at the time his mother was murdered, grew up visiting his father -- who had been wrongfully convicted of his wife's murder -- in Ohio State Penitentiaries at Columbus and Marion. In the wake of recent prison uprisings in ManCI and other facilities, Sheppard will call attention to the pressing need for better prison management. He and others will continue to urge Ohio citizens to consider the recent call for a national moratorium on executions by the American Bar Association and to learn more about viable alternatives to the death penalty already available by law.

The Alternatives / Memorial Walk Across Ohio began on September 17th with the exhumation of Dr. Sheppard for DNA testing as part of a civil suit filed by the Sheppard estate seeking a complete declaration of the innocence of Dr. Sheppard from the State of Ohio. It will end with a march and rally in Cincinnati on October 5th.

Additional Dates of Interest:

24 September, 9am: Members of Sheppard's entourage will be present at oral arguments before the Ohio Supreme Court in Columbus after which the Court will decide whether or not to grant the wishes of death row inmate Wilford Berry, who seeks to waive his appeals and proceed with his own state assisted suicide by execution. Sheppard will continue his walk towards central Ohio.

25 September: Sheppard will take a rest day from walking. He'll be on WOSU's "Open Line" radio call in program from 1pm to 2 pm and will speak publicly at the OSU Law School at 4pm.

25 September: The walk continues from near Marion to south of Delaware

26 September: The walk continues into Columbus. Sheppard will be joined by activists, family members of prisoners and of murder victims for the final leg of the day's walk, which will end with a small vigil and rally at the Old Ohio State Pen, site of his father's incarceration for more than ten years.

27 September: The walk continues out of Columbus and toward's Cincinnati.

EVERYONE IS INVITED TO CALL 800-973-6548 EXT#3 FOR A DAILY UPDATE ON THE FOLLOWING DAY'S SCHEDULE. THE MESSAGE IS UPDATED EVERY DAY BY 9PM AND INCLUDES EXACT TIME AND PLACE SHEPPARD WILL RESUME WALKING AS WELL AS TIMES AND LOCATIONS OF PUBLIC EVENTS WHEN SCHEDULED.

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27 September, 1997
Contact: Abe Bonowitz
Voice mail: 800-973-6548 x-3
Pager: 888-998-2192

SAM REESE SHEPPARD DENIED VISIT WITH KEY SUSPECT IN SHEPPARD CASE

State of Ohio Implies Eberling Killed Marilyn Sheppard

Columbus: Sam Reese Sheppard, son of Dr. Sam Sheppard and Marilyn Reese Sheppard, said at a rally today in front of the now closed Ohio State Penitentiary -- the facility in which his father was wrongly imprisoned -- that the State of Ohio now considers Richard Eberling to be guilty of the 1954 murder of Marilyn Reese Sheppard. "Yesterday, Warden Lazaroff at Orient Correctional Institution near Columbus told me that the prison's victim/offender reconciliation program is not yet in place, and for that reason he denied me and Richard Eberling the opportunity to meet. I've met with Eberling before, and I have a standing invitation to meet with him again, but it is apparent that the state considers Eberling to be the offender in the Sheppard case. By not allowing this visit, the state suggests that Eberling is considered to be guilty of killing my mom, and I am a security risk to that prisoner. Perhaps now the state of Ohio will move forward with a full and public apology for the wrongful incarceration of my father."

Sheppard made his remarks to supporters gathered at a rally in front of the Ohio State Penitentiary in Columbus, Ohio. The prison is itself a matter of controversy in that it is being torn down to make way for a new sports stadium. "I think what is left of the prison should be preserved as a reminder of Ohio's more painful history. More than 300 people were executed here. Many famous and infamous people served time and died here. We can't just sweep all of that under the rug," said Sheppard.

The prison is the final stop of historical significance on Shepard's 18-day Alternatives / Memorial Walk Across Ohio. Sam Reese Sheppard began the walk last week after the exhumation of Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard from a cemetery in Columbus and continued after Dr. Sheppard's cremated remains were placed inside a crypt with the body of Marilyn Reese Sheppard at a Cleveland area cemetery. The exhumation of Dr. Sheppard was called for by the Cuyahoga County Coroner in order to conduct DNA testing as part of a civil suit filed by the Sheppard estate seeking a complete declaration of the innocence of Dr. Sheppard from the State of Ohio. Other places Sheppard has visited on the walk include the house in Bay Village where his mother was murdered, Mansfield Correctional Institution where Ohio's death row is currently housed, and Marion State Correctional Institution, where Dr. Sheppard served about a year of his life sentence in medium security before being returned to the Columbus facility as a punitive measure. Sam Reese Sheppard, who was age seven at the time his mother was murdered, grew up visiting his father the man wrongly accused of murdering his wife and whose story inspired the movie, "The Fugitive" in Ohio State Penitentiaries at Columbus and Marion.

As he crosses the state, Sheppard has been highlighting the problems of the criminal justice system. "My friends and I urge the people of Ohio to look at the American Bar Association's study, calling for a moratorium on the death penalty in the USA because of its unfairness, disparity and futility," said Sheppard. "We believe that politicians who push for the death penalty are out of touch with the true aspects of a humane people. The alternative of 25 years or more without possibility of parole, with restitution payments to the victims families, proves to be the answer which will allow us to look beyond the fear and division so that we may build communities of caring and peace."


Sam Reese Sheppard will continue his walk Sunday morning. His route will take him from just north of I-270, south on High Street to Broad Street, and West on Broad. For the exact starting time and place, or to request a full schedule of the walk and information about local events throughout the state, please call 1-800-973-6548, ext.#3. The message is updated every day by 9pm.

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30 September, 1997
For use through October 5th

Contact: Abe Bonowitz
Voice mail: 800-973-6548 x-3
Pager: 888-998-2192

SAM REESE SHEPPARD ENTERS FINAL STRETCH OF ALTERNATIVES / MEMORIAL WALK ACROSS OHIO

Sam Reese Shepard continues his 18-day Alternatives / Memorial Walk Across Ohio today with 82 miles to go until -- in a short walk with supporters scheduled for approximately 12pm on Sunday, October 5th -- he will reach the Ohio River. Sam Reese Sheppard began the walk on September 18th after the exhumation of Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard from a cemetery in Columbus. He continued the following day after Dr. Sheppard's cremated remains were placed inside a crypt with the body of Marilyn Reese Sheppard at a Cleveland area cemetery. The exhumation of Dr. Sheppard was called for by the Cuyahoga County Coroner in order to conduct DNA testing as part of a civil suit filed by the Sheppard estate seeking a complete declaration of the innocence of Dr. Sheppard from the State of Ohio.

As he crosses the state, Sheppard has been highlighting the problems of the criminal justice system. "My friends and I urge the people of Ohio to look at the American Bar Association's study, calling for a moratorium on the death penalty in the USA because of its unfairness, disparity and futility," said Sheppard. "We believe that politicians who push for the death penalty are out of touch with the true aspects of a humane people. The alternative of 25 years or more without possibility of parole, with restitution payments to the victims families, proves to be the answer which will allow us to look beyond the fear and division so that we may build communities of caring and peace."

Sheppard's route on Tuesday will take him from the intersections of state routes 38, 42 & 142 in London, southwest on SR 42 towards Cincinnati. For the exact starting times and places for each day, or to request a full schedule of the walk and information about local events throughout the state, people may call 1-800-973-6548, ext.#3. The message is updated every day by 9pm.

SCHEDULE - Be sure to check the 800-973-6548 x-3 for updates and further details.

Tuesday, September 20th: The walk continues. Sam will speak in a gathering open to the public in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

Wednesday, October 1st: The walk continues. Sam will speak during a worship service open to the public at Omega Baptist Church in Dayton, Ohio.

Thursday, October 2nd: The walk continues. No evening event.

Friday, October 3rd: This is a regularly scheduled rest day - Sam will not be walking. In conjunction with local activists, Ohioans to STOP executions and Citizens United for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, Sam will hold a press conference at 11am in front of the office of the Hamilton County Prosecutor. At 1pm Sam will be on WLW - AM radio.

Saturday, October 4th: Sam will walk into Cincinnati. There will be an evening event.

Sunday, October 5th: Sam will speak at a worship service at 8am. There will be a rally and the conclusion of the Alternatives / Memorial Walk Across Ohio beginning at 12pm at Fountain Square.

PLEASE CALL 800-973-6548 x-3 for daily updates, etc.

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2 October 1997

CONTACT:
Abe Bonowitz
Voicemail: 800-973-6548 ext. #3
Pager: 888-998-2192 (PLEASE NOTE: Our pager does not always work in rural areas - your best bet is to leave a message on the voicemail - we'll get back within a few hours at the most.)

SAM REESE SHEPPARD'S ALTERNATIVES / MEMORIAL WALK ARRIVES IN CINCINNATI

SHEPPARD TO RELEASE NEW POLLING DATA SHOWING THE MAJORITY OF OHIOANS PREFER ALTERNATIVES TO THE DEATH PENALTY

PRESS CONFERENCE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3RD, 11AM
IN FRONT OF THE OFFICE OF THE HAMILTON COUNTY PROSECUTOR

After walking over 200 miles, Sam Reese Sheppard, son of Dr. Sam Sheppard and Marilyn Reese Sheppard, will arrive at Sharon Woods on the outskirts of Cincinnati late today, Thursday, October 6.

Sheppard, along with Ohioans to STOP Executions and Citizens United for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, will hold a press conference at 11am on Friday, October 3rd, in front of the office of Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph Deters. Hamilton County is responsible for the more inmates on Ohio's death row than any other county in the state (41 out of 174). Sheppard and his associates will release a new study conducted by the Survey Research Unit at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio which shows a solid majority of Ohioans prefer alternatives to the death penalty when given a choice in the matter. Sheppard will also discuss his experiences in walking across the state and talking with Ohioans about the Sheppard case and the residual effects of the Ohio criminal justice system on victim's families, perpetrators families & on society in general.

The Alternatives / Memorial Walk Across Ohio began on September 17th with the exhumation of Dr. Sheppard for DNA testing as part of a civil suit filed by the Sheppard estate seeking a complete declaration of the innocence of Dr. Sheppard from the State of Ohio. It will end with a march and rally in Cincinnati on October 5th.

Additional Dates of Interest:

Saturday, October 4: Sheppard will resume his walk through Cincinnati on US42 beginning at 9:30am at Sharon Woods, just inside I-275.

Sheppard will speak at 7pm at Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church. This event is open to the public.

Sunday, October 5: Sheppard will speak at worship service at 8am at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church.

Everyone is invited to gather at the office of the Hamilton County Prosecutor at 11am on Sunday, October 5th for the final leg of Sam Reese Sheppard's Alternatives / Memorial Walk Across Ohio. Sheppard will lead those gathered to a rally in Fountain Square from 12pm to 1pm. At 1pm participants in the rally will be invited to walk with Sheppard to the Ohio River.

EVERYONE IS INVITED TO CALL 800-973-6548 EXT#3 FOR A DAILY UPDATE ON THE FOLLOWING DAY'S SCHEDULE. THE MESSAGE IS UPDATED EVERY DAY, USUALLY BY 9PM, AND INCLUDES EXACT TIME AND PLACE SHEPPARD WILL RESUME WALKING AS WELL AS TIMES AND LOCATIONS OF PUBLIC EVENTS WHEN SCHEDULED.

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6 October, 1997

Contact: Abe Bonowitz
Voice mail: 800-973-6548 x-3
Pager: 888-998-2192

SAM REESE SHEPPARD ENDS ALTERNATIVES / MEMORIAL WALK AT OHIO RIVER

OHIOANS PLAN FOLLOW UP EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN

Sam Reese Sheppard, along with friends, activists, fellow murder victims family members and family members of Ohio death row inmates walked from the Hamilton County Courthouse to Fountain Square in Downtown Cincinnati where a rally was held to welcome Sheppard to Cincinnati. A representative of Cincinnati Mayor Roxanne Qualls issued the following proclamation:

"Be it Proclaimed

"Whereas, on this October 5, 1997, Sam Reese Sheppard completes his 18 day walk across Ohio in memory of his parents, Marilyn Reese Sheppard murdered in her home and Dr.. Sam Sheppard wrongfully incarcerated for that murder; and

"Whereas, every day the lives of many children like Sam Reese Sheppard are touched by the tragedy of violence in our society -- children, who must live for the rest of their lives with the anguish of a murdered parent or a parent awaiting execution; and

"Whereas, by this walk, Sam Reese Sheppard has called attention to the inequity of the death penalty in the United States; and

"Whereas, the Alternatives / Memorial Walk Across Ohio has challenged the people of our State and the City of Cincinnati to reexamine the motives that allow the expression of revenge and retaliation in our society and work against reconciliation and healing.

"Now, therefore, I, Roxanne Qualls, as mayor of the City of Cincinnati, do hereby proclaim Sunday, October 5th, 1997, as

"Sam Reese Sheppard Memorial / Alternative Walk Day" in Cincinnati.

"In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the City of Cincinnati to be affixed this 2nd day of October in the year nineteen hundred and ninety-seven.

Signed

Roxanne Qualls, Mayor
City of Cincinnati"

 


After hearing several speakers, songs, and giving interviews to the media, Sheppard and about 50 others walked to the Ohio River where they tossed olive branches and flowers into the river.

NOTE: Sam Reese Sheppard left Ohio on Sunday afternoon to join with other murder victims families and offender families on the "Journey of Hope... from violence to healing," an educational/speaking tour in Missouri October 5th to 12th. Follow up interviews and more information may be obtained by contacting CUADP at 800-973-6548.

Follow up to the many inroads made in the course of the Alternatives / Memorial walk Across Ohio will be forthcoming. A statewide gathering to examine issues around the death penalty as practiced in Ohio will take place in Youngstown on 18 October 1997. A strategy planning meeting will be held in Columbus on November 20th. For further details anyone may contact Citizens United for Alternatives to the Death Penalty at 800-973-6548.

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January 12, 1998

CONTACT: Abe Bonowitz via Pager: 888-998-2192, Voicemail: 800-973-6548

OHIO SUPREME COURT TO DECIDE IF SHEPPARD CASE WILL BE HEARD: Sam Reese Sheppard to be present at hearing.

The Ohio Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday morning, (13 January 1998) regarding the civil suit filed in the wrongful incarceration of Dr. Sam Sheppard. The hearing actually has no bearing on the facts in the Sheppard case. Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Stephanie Tubbs Jones is attempting to prohibit trial judge Suster from hearing the wrongful imprisonment action brought by the Sheppard estate, claiming a variety of technicalities.

"They want to avoid confronting the truth of one of the modern era's most notorious cases of official misconduct," said Cleveland attorney Terry Gilbert, who represents the Sheppard estate. "They claim the case is too old, even though there is no statute of limitations on murder, and that Sheppard's heirs can't seek a remedy despite the misery inflicted on them. This move by the prosecutor is an attempt to thwart the truth. It is a continuation of the shameful conduct that has earmarked this case for 43 years." The Ohio Supreme Court recently ruled that the Sheppard estate has no standing in this particular hearing, however, Gilbert will be allowed brief remarks as a "friend of the Court."

Sam Reese Sheppard, son of Dr. Sam Sheppard and Marilyn Reese Sheppard, will attend the hearing. "All we want is the truth. Why thwart us in pursuing our criminal investigation of who killed my mother?" said Sheppard. Sheppard, who was age seven at the time his mother was murdered, grew up visiting his father -- who had been wrongfully convicted of his wife's murder -- in Ohio State Penitentiaries at Columbus and Marion.

Cleveland attorney Terry Gilbert is available at 216-970-2022. Sam Reese Sheppard & Terry Gilbert will available immediately following he hearing. Phone interviews may be arranged by leaving a message for Abe Bonowitz at 800-973-6548.


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Citizens United for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (CUADP) works to end the death penalty in the United States through aggressive campaigns of public education and the promotion of tactical grassroots activism.   
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