Victims and the Death Penalty

Posted: March 19, 2003

Victims

INTRODUCTION

Vindication for victims and closure for victims' families are often held out as primary reasons for supporting the death penalty. However, many people in this community believe that another killing would not bring closure and that the death penalty is a disservice to victims.

Legal Issues: States That Allow Victim Impact Statements

Victims' Resources

Studies and Reports
Books
Law Reviews
Articles
Related Web Sites

News and Developments - Current Year

News and Developments - Previous Years (Includes the Voices of Victims):

2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003

ORGANIZATIONS FOR VICTIMS' FAMILIES, WITH RESOURCES ON THE DEATH PENALTY:

Murder Victims' Families for Human Rights

Goals:

To support and aid those who are mired in the court system without voices.

To be a national and international advocate against the death penalty as punishment for crime.

To educate legislators and the general public about the victimizing and re-victimizing effects of the death penalty on everyone involved in the process.

Murder Victims' Families for Reconciliation

Goals:

Recruits, trains, prepares and mobilizes victims to get involved in jurisdictional campaigns.

Develops strategy with other state-focused death penalty abolition groups.

Testifies before legislatures and empowers other family members to testify.

Forms alliances with other victims' groups.

Works with policymakers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement, media and victims advocates to support alternatives to the death penalty and increases awareness of the needs and voices of victims' family members.

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More than 100 Connecticut residents who have lost a loved one to murder made a plea for the repeal of the state's death penalty.

Victims' Families Call for Death Penalty Repeal in Colorado, Oregon

Bob Autobee, a veteran corrections officer and father of slain corrections officer Eric Autobee (pictured), said the pursuit of the death penalty in his son’s case caused an "unspeakable emotional toll" on his family. He wrote, “Given what I know now, I can no longer support Colorado’s broken death penalty system. What’s more, I will work to end it to ensure that our resources are better used and no family ever has to go through what my wife and I have endured.”

Aba Gayle, whose daughter was murdered in 1980, testified against the death penalty at a House Judiciary Committee hearing in Oregon. She said that those in her situation will never experience closure and executing the killer would not honor her daughter’s life. She told the committee, “Do not tarnish the memory of my beautiful child with another senseless killing.”