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Broken System?

By Ritu Upadhyay

Time was running out for Anthony Porter. convicted of murder, he had spent 17 years on "death row" in an Illinois prison. He was scheduled to be executed on September 23, 1998. Then, days before his date with death, a few journalism students from Northwestern University came to his rescue. After months of research, they were able to prove that he was innocent and save his life. Today Porter is a free man.

Porter's story is part of a disturbing pattern in Illinois. Since 1977, 13 inmates have been released from the state's death row after new evidence has proved them innocent. That's one more than the number of inmates who were put to death during this period. Last week Governor George Ryan decided to do something about this "shameful record." Although he supports the death penalty, he ordered all executions in Illinois to be put on hold. He has asked state officials to investigate the legal system to see what has gone wrong. "Until I can be sure that everyone who is sentenced to death in Illinois is truly guilty," he said, "no one will meet that fate."

Sentencing criminals to death is legal in 38 states. Last year 98 people were executed nationwide. But Illinois is not the only place that makes mistakes. Since 1973, 85 people have been freed from death row after being found not guilty.

The risk of killing innocent people has fueled movements across the country to ban executions. One of the big concerns is that poor people accused of crimes do not get good legal help. Lawmakers in at least five states are considering putting a hold on executions, but Illinois has been the first to act. Says Shawn Armbrust, one of the students who helped free Porter and who now works for Northwestern's Center on Wrongful Convictions: "I hope that taking this step will be a signal to other states that the system is broken."

The Debate Rages On
Many countries do not allow the death penalty, but most Americans believe in it. Polls show that 71% support the death penalty in murder cases. While capital punishment has been challenged in court, the Supreme Court ruled in 1976 that it is indeed lawful. Each state decides whether to use it.

But even some strong supporters of the death penalty are in favor of the Illinois plan. They say the death penalty is a good justice tool only when it's used wisely. Says Richard Dieter of the Death Penalty Information Center: "There are growing doubts about whether it can be done right."

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