You know we've killed innocent people. We have. In the history of Alabama's death penalty, you know innocent people have died. Been hung, electrocuted, poisoned to death. Probably many. A number of Death Row inmates have been released in recent years after they were found to be not guilty of the crimes they were accused of. How did they get on Death Row in the first place? How many didn't get saved and slipped through the cracks and were executed? By you. By me.

   "I urge you to stop all state killing, including the execution of Christopher T. Johnson on October 20. We cannot be complicit in any form of state killing! Not in our name!

Please STOP THE DEATH PENALTY and believe in rehabilitation, humanity and help, instead of death sentence, hate and revenge. The judicial system has on several ocasions allowed the execution of people who possibly, and in some cases certainly, were innocent. This system does not provide citizens the right to legal security and fair trial. Execute Justice not People ! Sincerely..."

 
Alabama Arise sets agenda toward helping poor
al.com (blog)
A three-year moratorium on the death penalty in Alabama. "Alabama needs to make sure that money and race don't have a role in determining who winds up on death row," Forrister said. Sen. Hank Sanders, D-Selma, for years has sponsored a moratorium bill, ...
See all stories on this topic »
al.com (blog)
 

Please read Petition for Execution at www.eji.org (see below)or on our facebook page Project Hope to Abolish the Death Penalty in Alabama to gain additional insight into the horrific miscarriage of justice that occurred once more with Derrick Mason's execution. It was far from the first and will not be the last time this happened in Alabama. It is our duty not to forget and to allow their deaths to have been in vain.

 
Equal Justice Initiative (www.eji.org)

State of Alabama Executes Derrick Mason Even Though Sentencing Judge Admits His Death Sentence Was a Mistake
September 22, 2011
The State of Alabama executed Derrick Mason today even though the sentencing judge who condemned him to die admitted his judgment was a mistake, born of his own inexperience and that of Mr. Mason's trial lawyers.

Friends,

We are heartbroken to have to announce that the State of Alabama took the life of Derrick O. Mason, Executive Board Member of our organization, our much loved brother and friend tonight at Holman Prison. Our thoughts and prayers are with Derrick’s parents, his brother and sister in law and other family members and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are also with Derrick’s family at Holman. We mourn Derrick deeply.

This afternoon Governor Bentley's press secretary informed the press that the Governor would not intervene and commute Derrick Mason's sentence to life, as requested by the sentencing judge. One of the reasons cited was the fact that the jury had recommended a death sentence.

Reported to the Board on recent developments in Derrick's fight for justice. We fight for all Alabama death row prisoners, but Derrick being a member of the Executive Board means we are fighting for a family member. I can't express how hard this is for us but we are not giving up. I will be speaking with Derrick later on this afternoon/evening. Please call the Governor! See you next week, Esther

Friends,

Murder is a tragedy, which affects not only the murder victim but also the family left behind. The family feels a deep sense of loss because there is no way that the precious life lost can be restored, not even by the death of the one who took it.

Some convicted of murder, driven by deep remorse, apologize to the bereaved and wronged family, as did Derrick Mason to the family of Angela Cagle. He did this many years ago by letter, not prompted by an imminent execution date, but driven by deep remorse and sadness for the parents' loss of their precious daughter, Angela Cagle. 

Angela Cagle's father was gracious enough to respond to Derrick Mason. He told Derrick to give his life to God. This he has done.