Here are some other letters to the Editor written in response to the Innocence Defense series:
How many innocents have we executed?
Re: The Innocence Defense, Feb. 9 and 10.
Thank you for the special report about Rudolph Holton, the most recent person to be exonerated and released from Florida's death row. David Karp did an outstanding job cramming what could be a thick book into the space available for a two-part special report. Thank you also for your Feb. 10 editorial, Death penalty problems, in which you point out that Florida leads the nation in death row exonerations. One question we all should be asking is: How many innocents were actually executed?
I would like to ask readers what 16 years on death row is worth? The state makes no apologies, and it has no mechanism for compensating the wrongly convicted other than an act of the Legislature. As noted in the article, when Rudolph Holton was released last month, he was given $100. How can anyone be expected to begin life anew with $100?
When Juan Melendez was freed last year after almost 18 years on death row, Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP) established its Exonerated Prisoner Relief Fund. Through this fund, individuals and groups may contribute to help Rudolph Holton and people like him. It is only a matter of time before the next death row exoneration in Florida.
Anyone who would like to make a contribution may do so by visiting FADP's Web page at www.FADP.org, by calling 1-800-973-6548, or by mailing a check to FADP Relief Fund/Holton, PMB 297, 177 U.S. Highway 1, Tequesta, FL 33469.
-- Abraham J. Bonowitz, director, Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, Tequesta
America's killer mentality
The death penalty needs to be put to rest once and for all. It is truly frightening to know that the United States supports killing people when so many other nations have abolished the practice. We are a "killer-mentality" society. If the time ever comes when we cherish life -- all life -- and refrain from killing any people, we will have evolved to a higher form of human being. How does someone feel avenged, or "closure," upon the death of a person?
-- Tom S. Brown, Largo
