Ex-Ill. Gov. Joins Pa. Execution Protest

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-3255212,00.html



HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - About 1,000 people
converged on the state Capitol to urge a
suspension of the death penalty, joined by the
former Illinois governor who imposed a
moratorium there.

Former Illinois Gov. George Ryan suspended
executions in 2000 after 13 death-row prisoners
were found to have been wrongfully convicted.

He said Saturday that Pennsylvania is in a similar
position now. ``You've exonerated more than
you've executed. Why would you do that?''

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell opposes a
death-penalty moratorium. Since taking office in
January, he has signed 10 death warrants.

During Ryan's final days in office in January, the
Republican pardoned four death-row inmates and
commuted the sentences of all 167 of the state's
condemned prisoners, most of them to life in
prison without parole.