Chicago Tribune

FEINGOLD LAUNCHES BILL TO HALT FEDERAL DEATH PENALTY

By Jill Zuckman
Washington Bureau
February 1, 2001

WASHINGTON -- On the first anniversary of Illinois' death penalty moratorium, Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold on Wednesday introduced legislation to halt all federal executions and to urge states to do the same.  "Illinois should be a model for the federal government and all the other 37 states that authorize the use of capital punishment," said Feingold, a Democrat. "Gov. [George] Ryan's decision set off a yearlong, nationwide debate on the death penalty. During the last year, we have seen far too many examples of the death penalty system gone wrong. In the last year alone, eight innocent people were exonerated and released from Death Row."  Feingold's legislation calls for a moratorium until the National Commission on the Death Penalty reviews the use of capital punishment. The bill also makes recommendations on the administration of capital punishment cases at the state and federal levels. Congress would have final responsibility to lift the moratorium.  Feingold may be facing an uphill struggle. The death penalty has support among voters, and President Bush presided over more executions than any other modern-day governor while in Texas.  "Before executing even one more person, the federal government and the states must ensure that not a single innocent person will be executed, that we have eliminated discrimination in capital sentencing on the basis of the race of either the victim or the defendant, and ensure that we provide for certain basic standards of competency of defense counsel," Feingold said.   In the last session of Congress, the Wisconsin Democrat introduced the same legislation, which was never acted upon. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) was expected to introduce a similar bill in the House of Representatives. Seven states are considering moratoriums or measures to abolish the death penalty. Eight other states have commissioned studies and reviews of the death penalty process.  Despite the moratorium, Illinois prosecutors still seek the death penalty. And last week, the Illinois Supreme Court announced rules to make the death penalty system fairer.  When he imposed the moratorium a year ago, Ryan cited the experience of Anthony Porter, who came within two days of execution before being released. Porter spent nearly 16 years in prison for a double murder but was freed after Northwestern University journalism students, their professor and a private investigator found another man who confessed to the killings.