On March 15, 2018, the State of Georgia executed Carlton Michael Gary, for the crimes of rape and murder. The case against Gary was based on the flimsy and conflicting evidence of an “eye witness” and a claim that he had confessed although no documentation of the alleged confession existed. Ultimately, it was shown that a dental mold ordered by lawyers, the size of a footprint found at the scene of the crime, and DNA evidence excluded Gary. In Gary’s unsuccessful petition for clemency, Gary’s lawyers stated that “we are not talking about questionable recanting witnesses who came forward long after the trial, but hard physical evidence of innocence.” Nonetheless, the execution of Gary went ahead.
October 10 marks the 18th “World Day Against the Death Penalty” (capital punishment). The day, supported by numerous world governments, the European Union, the United Nations, Amnesty International, and many NGOs, calls on all people to oppose the death penalty, globally and in all cases.
The following reasons are given by those who call for the abolition of the death penalty:
The inherent possibility of mistakes being made by the justice system whereby innocent persons may be condemned to death. The example of the case described briefly above illustrates this point. Globally, there is compelling evidence that wrongful executions occur and not infrequently. There is also evidence that confessions are often derived from torture.
The practice is inhumane and rather than bringing justice for brutal crimes it perpetuates a cycle of violence.
The act is irreversible, leaving no possibility for repentance or forgiveness.
The death penalty is ineffective in deterring violent crime.
Importantly, the death penalty is disproportionately applied to the poor, visible minorities, and marginalized groups.
Often, little attention is paid to the existence of mental illness and cognitive challenges in the perpetrators.
Sister Helen Prejean
Sister of St. Joseph, Helen Prejean, makes the point that “if we believe that murder is wrong and not admissible in our society, then it has to be wrong for everyone, not just individuals but governments as well. Sister Helen continues, “people are more than the worst thing they have done.” These words guide her ministry with people on “death row” as depicted in the powerful book and movie, based on a true story, “Dead Man Walking”.
Sister Helen’s words, however, may give rise to moral tension in us especially when we look upon heinous crimes, particularly murder, often committed against children, adolescents with so much promise in their lives, and seniors.
In “Dead Man Walking”, we see Sister Helen facing such moral tension. Lloyd Le Blanc, the father of a teenage boy murdered alongside his young girlfriend, challenges Sister Helen. Lloyd reprimands her for not speaking out for the victims and their families. His excruciating pain moves Sister Helen profoundly. She reflects upon and questions her position and above all, she reaches out to Lloyd and his family with deep compassion. She does, not, however, alter her pastoral care for the alleged perpetrator, Patrick Sonnier whose own poverty and sad life speak volumes. For Sister Helen, “mercy is stronger and more God-like than vengeance.”
Interestingly, it is Lloyd LeBlanc who witnesses so convincingly to this. In the book, we read that when he was taken to view the body of his son, he knelt by him and prayed the Lord’s prayer. As he reached the line, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”, he added, “whoever did this, I forgive them.” Said in one moment, Lloyd continues to struggle to live out that forgiveness day by day. In his actions, he bears witness to it. He provides financial support for Sister Helen’s ongoing work, he regularly prays not only for his son but also for the Sonnier family, even comforting Sonnier’s mother on her deathbed. What Lloyd shows us is that while punishment is necessary, revenge and the death penalty are not the answer.
Together with others, many religious traditions echo this. The Roman Catholic Church has, in recent years, moved to the abolition of the death penalty. In line with his ever-evolving “consistent ethic of life” position, Pope John Paul II was clear on the issue. He stated, “A sign of hope is the increasing recognition that the dignity of human life must never be taken away even in the case of someone who has done great evil. Modern society has the means of protecting itself without definitively denying criminals the chance of reform. I appeal for a consensus to end the death penalty, which is both cruel and unnecessary.”
In his Encyclical (letter) entitled, Fratelli Tutti signed just a few days ago (October 3), Pope Francis follows in his predecessor’s footsteps now categorically stating that the death penalty is a “false answer” that “ultimately does no more than introduce new elements of destruction in the fabric of national and global society”. Francis thus, “calls upon all Christians and people of goodwill to work for the abolition of the death penalty.”
Today, The World Day for the Abolition of the Death Penalty, October 10, provides us all no matter our background, religious or not, to work together for this end.
Sister Mary Rowell, CSJ