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P.O. Box 356, Kingsville, MD 21087.
Phone: 410-435-5000.
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OPPOSE THE DEATH PENALTY
PETITION FOR JUSTICE and a MORATORIUM ON ALL EXECUTIONS in OHIO
[Please add your name and return it to
ksidd37398@aol.com]
Five men known as the LUCASVILLE FIVE - Siddique Abdullah Hasan,
Keith Lamar, Namir Abdul-Mateen a/k/a James Were,
Jason Robb and George W. Skatzes - have been condemned to death for their
alleged roles during the disturbance at the
Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville, Ohio on
April 11-21, 1993.
1. There is no physical evidence linking any of these defendants with the
crimes charged. All were convicted on the basis of testimony from other
prisoners who were promised protection, letters to the parole board,
reduced charges and sentences, dismissal of charges, or other benefits.
2. The State of Ohio interfered with attorneys' efforts to counsel
defendants during the investigation prior to indictments. This occurred
at a time when, according to law, they should have been presumed innocent.
3. The prosecution had access to resources far greater than the
resources available to the defense, e.g., the prosecution had virtually
unlimited funds at its disposal while the defense was not given adequate
funds. Attorney Niki schwartz testified that it was as if the prosecution
had been provided with nuclear weaponry and the defense had been provided
with slingshots.
4. With regard to several of the defendants, they were prosecuted because
of the roles they played as spokespersons and negotiators for the
prisoners.
5. Although the indictments did not mention conspiracy, the prosecution
based several of the convictions on an alleged conspiracy among rival
gangs.
6. The State of Ohio engaged in repeated unscrupulous trial tactics,
such as putting on perjured testimony, and withholding exculpatory
evidence and information.
7. Counsel appointed for defendants provided ineffective assistance in
numerous instances.
We, the undersigned, ask that:
i. Justice be assured with respect to the fate of these five men and that
they receive new trials for the reasons enumerated above, and
ii. There be a moratorium on all executions in Ohio.
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NAME PHONE ADDRESS I want to help organize
Kaukab Siddique 410-435-5000 POB 356, Kingsville, Yes
MD 21087
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2003-09-21 Sun 14:58ct