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Save Sakineh - at Imminent Risk of Execution in Iran

Recently Iran have made the headlines because of the international outcry at the forthcoming execution by stoning of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani. 

Sakineh was convicted on adultery and first tried in May 2006. She pleaded guilty to an illicit relationship with two men outside of marriage even though the incident occurred after the death of her husband. She received 99 lashes of a whip in from of her 17 year old son. Something he says will be “etched on his mind forever”

In September 2006 her case was bought up again when a separate court was prosecuting one of the men accused of murdering her husband. She was then convicted of adultery whilst still married and sentenced to death by stoning.

Her lawyer Mohammad Mostafaei offered to represent her for free and succeeded in bringing her case to worldwide attention but he was forced to flee to Turkey after Iranian Authorities issued a warrant for his arrest. After the international outcry her sentence was commuted to hanging but Sakineh fear she may be executed in the next few days in a secret execution. She has said that her government are embarrassed by the international interest in her case and they are desperately trying to distract media attention so they can kill her in secret. The Iranian media has already been banned from reporting on the case.

You can help save Sakineh by signing the petition.

(By Lisa)

Help Kevin Keith - Evidence of Innocence and on Ohio Death Row

Please have a read and sign Kevin Keith's petition on his site. Evidence shows that Keith was wrongly sentenced to death because of witness misidentification which is the leading cause of wrongful convictions in the Unites States.

Astoundingly the Police fabricated a defense witness which was later discovered to not exist.

There is no forensic evidence that conclusively links Keith to the crime and he has four witnesses to support his alibi.

Not all the evidence of Keith's innocence has been heard by the court and an execution date has been set for September 15th 2010.

Great News for Gaile Owens - Death Sentence Commuted

Gaile Owens has been on Tennessee death row for almost 25 years and was convicted of the first degree murder of her husband. Gaile suffered a long history of physical and sexual abuse at the hands of her husband which was not brought up at the original trial. Calling the case "complex and emotional," Governor Bredesen cited the "extraordinary" sentence rendered in the case and stated that "Nearly all the similar cases have resulted in life-in-prison sentences," Gaile Owens will also be eligible for parole in 2012.

 

James Fisher Released from Oklahoma Death Row

James Fisher who has spent a total of 27 years on Oklahoma death row was released this week after accepting a plea bargain from prosecutors. The death sentence was overturned by the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals for reasons such as inadequate defense attorney work in Mr Fisher's original trial. You can read a full article here.

Send a Postcard - Save a Life!

Damien Echols has been on Arkansas' death row for over 15 years. He was convicted of murdering three children, despite any physical evidence, weapon, or motive. Recently new DNA evidence has emerged that could absolve Damien beyond a reasonable doubt. Yet the State of Arkansas is continuing plans to execute him. Please, send this quick postcard to the Arkansas Governor.

U.S Supreme Court Rejects British Woman's Death Sentence

The Supreme Court have declined to review the death sentence of Linda Carty, a British born woman on death row in Texas. British officials and pro bono lawyers had appealed to the justices to order a new trial for Linda Carty, citing what they said were gross errors by her court-appointed lawyer during the 2001 trial, in which prosecutors said Carty killed her neighbour to steal her newborn son.

During her original trial Texas authorities failed to inform Linda Carty of her right to consult with British diplomats. The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals had already dismissed Linda Carty's claims of ineffective counsel and failure to inform her of her rights as a foreign national. An execution date is expected to be set in the coming months.

Reprieve are doing a huge amount of work on her case so we are urging you to support their actions.

New Appeal for Justin

 

Justin Wolfe currently on Virginia death row for murder for hire has been granted an evidentiary hearing as part of his federal habeas corpus appeal. Lawyers who represent Justin allege that prosecutors did not turn over all exculpatory evidence in the case.

 

Justin’s lawyers have been seeking to introduce statements that the actual shooter Owen Barber made in prison recanting his testimony against Wolfe, statements that could prove Barber’s story was concocted for trial to prevent him from getting a death sentence. Owen Barber has since written affadavits stating that Justin had nothing to do with the murder, his most recent statement was in 2009, according to court documents.

The hearing is set to take place in late September.

Abolitionuk.org - Images kindly provided by Scott Langley