NEW YORK: A Call To Halt Death Penalty

A City Council committee yesterday approved a resolution calling for a moratorium on the death penalty in the state after hearing an emotional plea for the measure by the brother of imprisoned "Unabomber" Ted Kaczynski. The Committee on Fire and Criminal Justice chaired by Councilwoman Yvette D. Clarke (D-Flatbush) voted 5-2 in favor of Resolution 12A, which calls on Gov. George Pataki and the State Legislature to freeze all executions pending a review of capital punishment cases in light of recent investigative techniques involving DNA.

 David Kaczynski, executive director of New Yorkers Against the Death Penalty, told the committee of the anguish he felt helping federal law enforcement officials capture his own brother, who was convicted of sending bombs to university and airline officials. He said federal officials reneged on a promise not to seek the death penalty against his brother, who was subsequently sentenced to life in prison.

 The experience taught David Kaczynski that the death penalty is "so politicized."

 The non-binding resolution also supports three pieces of pending federal legislation calling for a national moratorium on the death penalty.

 In recent years, opponents have cited statistics showing that racial and socio-economic factors influence the decisions to seek or impose the death penalty.

 There are more than 3,700 inmates on death row nationwide and more than half are black or Hispanic.

 "It is time that New York City addresses this very serious, absolute and irrecoverable decision," Clarke said.