Da: "coalit"
A: "amici coalit"
Oggetto: [listacoalit] Petizione per Zolo Agona Azania
Data: lunedì 15 aprile 2002 17.24
>
>
> > Indianapolis Star
> > c/o Editor
> > P.O. Box 145
> > 307 N. Pennsylvania St.
> > Indianapolis, IN 46206-0145 USA
> >
> >
> >
> > To the Editor:
> >
> > I am writing to you regarding the case of Zolo Agona Azania, a man on
> death
> > row in Indiana, whose case will be presented to the Indiana Supreme
Court
> > for review on May 2nd.
> >
> > I am greatly concerned that a man might be executed who was so clearly
> > denied the right to an impartial jury drawn from a fair cross section of
> > the community in contravention of the laws of Indiana and the United
> States
> > Constitution.
> >
> > Zolo Agona Azania was sentenced to death by an all white jury in Allen
> > County, Indiana in 1996. A few months after he was sentenced, it was
> > revealed that Allen County's computerized jury selection program had
> > systematically excluded 87% of Wayne Township, the largest and most
> diverse
> > township in Allen County, from any chance of serving on a jury. Wayne
> > Township is home to 75% of Allen County's voting age African American
> > population.
> >
> > After this was discovered, all criminal defendants with pending cases
were
> > given the opportunity to postpone their trials until a new system could
be
> > put in place. Presiding Judge John F. Surbeck stated it would have been
> > "absolutely unfair" for anyone to proceed to trial. Allen County's
> > computerized jury selection system had been underrepresenting residents
of
> > Wayne Township for 15 years. However, Zolo Azania, who was sentenced to
> > death a few months prior, was not given a new trial.
> >
> > The Indianapolis Star editorial on March 31st, 2001 stated, "Accidental
or
> > not, a computer glitch tainted a Gary killer's sentencing jury. A
criminal
> > suspect has a right to a representative jury. It is that constitutional
> > guarantee that merits a new sentencing hearing for Zolo Agona Azania,
now
> > on Indiana's Death Row.
> >
> > The jury system is the backbone of a democratic society, and it is
> > essential that the process have the appearance of fairness. The record
in
> > this case speaks loudly of a discriminatory intent and in no way can
> > support the execution of an individual. I urge you to ensure that
justice
> > is done and that Mr. Azania receives a new sentencing trial. Thank you
for
> > your consideration.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> >
> > nome; cognome
indirizzo completo.
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