FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 13, 2003
Contact:  Sheila S. Hopkins
Associate for Social Concerns
(850) 222-3803
shopkins@flacathconf.org

Florida Catholic Conference:  Spare Newton Slawson

Tallahassee – We appeal to Governor Bush to commute the death sentence of Newton Slawson, scheduled for execution on May 15th, to life in prison without possibility of parole. Even though these murders were brutally painful for the victims and caused unthinkable anguish for their family members, we ask for mercy, rather than vengeance, for Mr. Slawson.

The state’s right to protect society and punish criminals can be achieved by using the alternative sentence of life imprisonment instead of execution.  The increased exposure to violence in modern society has desensitized the population to the sacredness of all life, even the lives of those judged guilty of committing serious crimes.  The commandment "Thou shall not kill" calls us to leave final judgment of our actions on earth to God and leaves open the possibility of conversion of the sinner and forgiveness for their wrongdoings.

We join with others seeking a moratorium on the death penalty.  At least twenty-five people in Florida have been released from death row because of proof of innocence, insufficient evidence of guilt, or for other reasons.

Governor Bush, we urge you to halt executions and review how death sentences are applied in Florida.