Stop the Execution of Derrick Dearman in Alabama
Governor Kay Ivey
An execution date has been set for Alabama death row prisoner Derrick Dearman on October 17, 2024 for the 2016 murders of Shannon Melissa Randall, Robert Lee Brown, Justin Kaleb Reed, Joseph Adam Turner and Chelsea Marie Reed.
Derrick Dearman has waived further appeals and has invited this execution date. Read news articles featuring his perspective here and here. Nevertheless, Death Penalty Action and Project Hope to Abolish the Death Penalty oppose the death penalty in all cases and urge that this execution be disallowed. Indeed, it is hypocritical and unfair that the only way a person in Alabama may avail themselves to state-assisted suicide is if they commit murder and receive a death sentence.
The vast majority of states with capital punishment continue on a downward trend of executions, Alabama has continued to go against trend by carrying on with scheduled execution dates.
Additionally, Alabama has repeatedly shown that it is not capable of carrying out executions, as it is botching its lethal injection process - amounting to cruel punishment and the torture of prisoners.
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To:
Governor Kay Ivey
From:
[Your Name]
We are writing to ask that you to stop the upcoming execution of Derrick Dearman on October 17, 2024 for the 2016 murders of Shannon Melissa Randall, Robert Lee Brown, Justin Kaleb Reed, Joseph Adam Turner and Chelsea Marie Reed.
Derrick Dearman has waived further appeals and has invited this execution date. Nevertheless, we oppose the death penalty in all cases and urge that this execution be disallowed. Indeed, it is hypocritical and unfair that the only way a person in Alabama may avail themselves to state-assisted suicide is if they commit murder and receive a death sentence.
We are further concerned that while the vast majority of states with capital punishment continue on a downward trend of executions, Alabama has continued to go against trend by carrying on with scheduled execution dates.
Additionally, Alabama has repeatedly shown that it is not capable of carrying out executions, as it has repeatedly botched its lethal injection process, and evidence also shows that the use of nitrogen gas suffocation amounts to cruel punishment and the torture of prisoners.
We, the undersigned, ask that you do everything within your power to stop this execution, including issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case.
Thank you for your time and attention to this serious matter.