ALBANY COUNTY LEGISLATURE URGES MORATORIUM ON EXECUTIONS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 13, 2003 Contact: David Kaczynski
518-453-6797

ALBANY COUNTY LEGISLATURE URGES MORATORIUM ON EXECUTIONS

By a vote of 23-12 last night (5/12/03), the Albany County Legislature passed Resolution #251 urging the governor and the state legislature to place a moratorium on all executions in New York until the application of capital punishment in New York is investigated and issues of fairness, justice, equality, due process and cost are addressed. With the passage of Res. 251, Albany County joins New York City, Rochester, the City of Albany, Mount Vernon, Buffalo and the towns of Greenburgh and Newcastle among governmental bodies that have passed resolutions calling for a moratorium on executions.

Primary sponsor of Res. 251 was County Legislature President Lucille McKnight. According to Ms. McKnight, "We've seen serious problems with the death penalty in other states. Already, we see clear indications of unequal application of the law in New York State. The time to deal with these problems is now, before a real crisis develops and before anyone is wrongfully put to
death."

During the public comment period preceding the Legislature's vote, several members of the community spoke in support of Res. 251, including leading clergy, social justice advocates, and a woman whose daughter was murdered. All noted flaws in the capital justice system which can result in injustice and increased suffering for victims' family members.

During floor discussion, legislator Paul Collins emphasized the high costs of the death penalty which fall primarily to the county and to local tax payers. "Some years ago, we were prepared for a capital case and one of two judges had to clear his calendar for six months. People don't realize the resources that are tied up or the vast expenses involved in a capital prosecution."

With the passage of Res. 251, Albany's becomes the first county legislature in the state to pass a moratorium resolution. The decision to seek the death penalty or life without parole in New York is made by county-elected district attorneys. # # #

Return to Press Releases