I llinois C oalition to A bolish the D eath P enalty

180 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2300    Chicago, Illinois 60601

Office | 312-849-2279   ·   Fax | 312-201-9760   ·   Online | www.icadp.org

Press Release

For immediate release

March 16, 2005 Contact:   Jane Bohman (312) 849-2279;

   Cell:   (312) 213-4250

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ILLINOIS COALITION TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY RESPONDS TO ILLINOIS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES' PASSAGE OF "NO DOUBT" BILL

The Illinois Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty today responded to the passage by the Illinois House of Representatives of legislation that creates a standard of "no doubt" of guilt in the sentencing phase of capital trials.

"The Illinois Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty is encouraged by the serious debate over increasing the standard of proof in capital cases, which reflects growing recognition of the deep flaws in the Illinois capital punishment system," commented Jane Bohman, Executive Director of the Coalition.

"However, certainty in capital cases, while a laudatory goal, is an inevitably elusive one," Bohman continued.  "The only way there can be "no doubt" that a wrongful execution will never take place in Illinois is to abolish the death penalty," Bohman concluded.

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The Illinois Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty is a statewide grassroots not-for-profit organization that educates the public on the flaws and injustices in the Illinois death penalty system and promotes humane and effective alternatives to capital punishment.