News Archive
Prof. Schumm Chairs Indiana’s ABA Death Penalty Moratorium Implementation Project
02/20/2007
The ABA Death Penalty Moratorium Implementation Project announced its findings following a study of Indiana’s implementation of the death penalty ( Link to ABA report ). Professor Joel Schumm chaired the committee of seven experts from Indiana who examined the issue for the ABA. Attorney James J. Bell, '99 (Bingham McHale), State Sen. John Broden, (D-South Bend), attorney Robert Gevers II (former Allen County prosecutor), attorney Marce Gonzales (Merrillville), former Governor of Indiana Joe Kernan, and attorney Paula Sites (assistant executive director of the Indiana Public Defender Council) also served on the committee which is part of a nation-wide effort to ensure the utmost fairness in capital proceedings. According to an article in The Indianapolis Star (2/20/2007), “Indiana is the fifth state targeted by the campaign, whose recommendations have not yet been followed. Last year, similar panels in Alabama and Georgia urged moratoriums, but executions were not halted. The Florida and Arizona teams urged reforms but couldn't agree on the moratorium issue. A handful of states have instituted moratoriums -- Illinois, in 2000 by then-Gov. George Ryan; New York, in 2004 by that state's highest court; and New Jersey, in 2006 by the state Legislature, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Some other states have stopped executing prisoners because of concerns over the effectiveness of their lethal injection procedures. Indiana has 24 inmates on Death Row. Under a moratorium, executions would be halted, but courts still could sentence offenders to death.” Link to the Star article.
