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. VISITA IL NOSTRO SITO WEB : www.coalit.org L'utilizzo, da parte tua, di Yahoo! Gruppi è soggetto alle http://it.docs.yahoo.com/info/utos.html