26/10/2004

Ex-Death Row Inmates Urge End to Capital Punishment

Two ex-death row convicts later found to be innocent appealed in Rome for the abolition of the death penalty, calling the practice "outrageous."

Nick Yarris and Ray Kron, who cumulatively spent more than 30 years in prison, are on a tour of Europe called "From the Arm of Death to Freedom: Witnessing Innocence."

At the Rome headquarters of the lay Community of Sant'Egidio, the two Americans talked about their case and their faith in God, and urged Europe to help end the death penalty.

The two witnesses were invited by Sant'Egidio, which presented to the press the next World Day of Cities Against the Death Penalty. The event will be observed Nov. 30 in 200 cities worldwide.

Mario Marizziti, an official of Sant'Egidio, said that the moratorium against the death penalty promoted by his group "has already reached 5 million supporters, including many religious leaders."

"The abolition of the death penalty might also be a gift for the families of victims, as they might give up hatred and vengeance," he said. "A world without the death penalty is possible."

The Sant'Egidio appeal came on the day when inmate Dominique Green faced execution in Texas.