Tribe.net. Local Connections Gerbil http://USpolitics.tribe.net/thread/81009549-134a-4f53-9e0e-24ae1a2d56d8#c91c17fb-6520-436f-b2a0-6f3280c44e25 2005-12-16T20:45:07Z 2005-12-16T20:45:07Z

how easy is it to prove that homicides are committed with the forethought that execution isn't an option? is it even possible to prove?

Gerbil 2005-12-16T20:45:07Z Ron http://USpolitics.tribe.net/thread/81009549-134a-4f53-9e0e-24ae1a2d56d8#712f06ae-9ab0-4f92-a716-e5122e52c9fb 2005-12-16T20:35:03Z 2005-12-16T20:35:03Z

Of course the moratorium was motivated to avoid executing innocent people, but below is a study regarding whether moratoriums in Illinois and texas affected the issue of capiltal punishmment as a deterrent. The link below goes to the entire study, but here's the abstract from the study: "Abstract: In an earlier work we examined the impact of an execution moratorium in Texas on the monthly returns (first differences) of homicides. That moratorium was judicially imposed pending the appeal of a death sentence that could have had wide spread consequences. We apply similar methodology to the state of Illinois. In January 2000, the Governor of Illinois declared a moratorium on executions pending a review of the judicial process that condemned certain murderers to the death penalty. In January 2003 just prior to leaving office, the Governor commuted the death sentences of all of those who then occupied death row. We find that these actions are coincident with the increased risk of homicide incurred by the residents of Illinois over the 48-month post event period for which data were available. The increased risk is associated with an estimated 150 additional homicides during the post-event period." http://www.cjlf.org/deathpenalty/IllStudyRevised.pdf

Ron 2005-12-16T20:35:03Z Gerbil http://USpolitics.tribe.net/thread/81009549-134a-4f53-9e0e-24ae1a2d56d8#04839c82-f8f1-4443-92ed-5c27cd4b16b4 2005-12-16T17:07:01Z 2005-12-16T17:05:43Z

A five-part Tribune investigation that found 381 people who had homicide verdicts overturned because of prosecutor misconduct since 1963.: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-dptrialerror-special,1,1581428.special?coll=chi-news-hed if you have trouble logging into the tribune site, try using www.bugmenot.com to get a login/password here it is for easier access: login:double@mailinator.com password:123456

Gerbil 2005-12-16T17:05:43Z Gerbil http://USpolitics.tribe.net/thread/81009549-134a-4f53-9e0e-24ae1a2d56d8#02ce5ed5-881a-4f96-a958-4d75946c2fb9 2005-12-16T17:04:34Z 2005-12-16T17:04:34Z

pulitzer prize winning series of editorials by the chicago tribune: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-dpeditorials-special,1,7541594.special?coll=chi-news-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true

Gerbil 2005-12-16T17:04:34Z Gerbil http://USpolitics.tribe.net/thread/81009549-134a-4f53-9e0e-24ae1a2d56d8#3890015c-d849-441f-9796-52592f0db515 2005-12-16T17:02:41Z 2005-12-16T17:02:41Z

i had pondered the thought of voting for topinka just because blagojevich has come under so much fire and hasnt really kept many of the promises he promised when elected. after announcing she may lift the moratorium on executions, she'll never get my vote. --- Topinka taps Birkett as GOP running mate DuPage prosecutor a social conservative By John Chase and Ray Long Tribune staff reporters Published December 16, 2005 Judy Baar Topinka introduced DuPage County State's Atty. Joe Birkett as her running mate for governor Thursday, saying their differences on social issues would help--not hurt--their chances of winning the Republican primary. Topinka, a moderate who has served three terms as state treasurer, appealed to Birkett to run as lieutenant governor in part to reassure conservative Republicans who are wary of her policy positions. Topinka said that while she supports abortion rights, she agrees with abortion-opponent Birkett that parents should be notified if their daughter seeks an abortion. With the pro-death penalty prosecutor at her side, Topinka said she would lift the moratorium on executions that was enacted by former Gov. George Ryan and continued by Gov. Rod Blagojevich. But the two differed on other social matters. Topinka said she would veto legislation that called for defining marriage as between a man and a woman and said she supported civil unions between same-sex partners. Birkett said he supports a marriage amendment and opposes civil unions. "Not every Republican walks in lockstep. Not every Democrat walks in lockstep," Topinka said. "We're not cloning each other, but I think we bring the best of our expertise to this union, to this amalgam here." Birkett's announcement comes a week after conservative state Sen. Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin) dropped his bid for governor and became the lieutenant governor candidate for Chicago businessman Ron Gidwitz, the other moderate seeking the GOP nomination for governor. Two conservatives, Aurora dairy magnate Jim Oberweis and state Sen. Bill Brady of Wilmington, are also running for governor in the March 21 Republican primary. Although Topinka's camp hopes Birkett will help with conservatives and voters in heavily Republican DuPage County, picks for lieutenant governor typically have only a minimal impact in a campaign. One reason for that, said Mike Lawrence, ex-spokesman for former Republican Gov. Jim Edgar, is that state law requires candidates for lieutenant governor to run on the ballot separately from the candidate for governor. "It may be helpful to have a seasoned campaigner with a conservative bent saying nice things about her on the campaign trail, but I'm not sure many conservatives who would have voted against her will now be inclined to vote for her," said Lawrence, head of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University. "That's nothing against Birkett. I don't think Rauschenberger brings much to Gidwitz either." Birkett considered making a bid for governor himself, but announced in November that he would not run for statewide office because of the demands of his job. Birkett said he changed his mind after being approached by Topinka, Edgar and other statewide Republican leaders. "I'll be able to do it time-wise and still be an effective prosecutor, have my legislative agenda, be visible and at the same time run with Judy and convince Illinois that we need to get Rod Blagojevich out," Birkett said. " ... I would not do it if I didn't believe that it was going to be an important component in defeating Rod Blagojevich." The first-term governor, appearing at a news conference to push a ban on junk food in school, declined to discuss the newest Republican pairing. "I'm going to continue to do these kinds of things and keep working on my job, but I'll let the others position themselves and do their politics," he said. ---------- jchase@tribune.com rlong@tribune.com

Gerbil 2005-12-16T17:02:41Z