NCADP - The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty

Larry Hutcherson, October 26, AL

Do Not Execute Larry Hutcherson!

October 26, 2006

Alabama

Larry Eugene Hutcherson, a 37-year-old white man, is scheduled to be executed by the State of Alabama on October 26, 2006. He was sentenced to death in 1993 for the murder of 89-year-old Irma Gray during a burglary. Hutcherson plead guilty and has since decided not to file a petition for clemency for the governor’s consideration.

It has been found in the last few years that at least seven Alabama death row prisoners, including Larry Hutcherson, have had to “navigate state post-conviction proceedings without the assistance of volunteer counsel”. In Hutcherson’s case, his counsel neglected to file pleadings within the limitations. With a legal system so flawed that defendants cannot rely upon counsel to adequately represent them, capital punishment should not be an option.

The State of Alabama has not yet executed an inmate in 2006. In fact, since resuming executions in 1983, Alabama has executed a relatively small number of people – sometimes going years without an execution. As such, it is difficult to ascertain the usefulness of capital punishment in Alabama as one would be hard pressed to demonstrate its deterrent effect.

Please write to Governor Bob Riley on behalf of Larry Hutcherson!

February 09, 2010

Subject:

On October 26, 2006 Larry Eugene Hutcherson is scheduled to be executed by the State of Alabama. In 1993 he was convicted of the murder of Irma Gray. This does not seek to downplay the severity of the offence committed against Ms. Gray for which I believe Mr. Hutcherson should be punished. Execution, however, is not an appropriate punishment. The State of Alabama has not executed an inmate in 2006. This shows a decline in the popularity of capital punishment. Alabama has the option of sentencing life without parole - I believe this is a more suitable punishment. As you know, there are some fatal flaws within the Alabama legal system, particularly regarding the inexperience of counsel appointed to represent defendants in capital cases. In Hutcherson’s case specifically, counsel neglected to file post-conviction pleadings within the court imposed limitations. Although this was eventually remedied by the courts, it shows one side of the many flaws in the administration of capital cases. Accordingly, I implore you to stop the execution of Larry Hutcherson on October 26 and further to declare a moratorium on executions in Alabama.
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