RESOLUTION NO. 5302----RESOLUTION OF THE SEBASTOPOL CITY COUNCIL CALLING FOR THE ABOLITION OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

WHEREAS, more than 618 men and women currently await execution in the State of California, the most in the nation; and

WHEREAS, at least 6 men convicted of capital murder in California since the death penalty was reinstated in 1977 were subsequently freed after having been found to be wrongly convicted and since 1973, 102 people in 22 states have been released from death row with evidence of their innocence; and

WHEREAS, the application of the death penalty across the United States and in California has been shown to be arbitrary, capricious and unfair, and a June, 2000 Columbia University study entitled "A Broken System" determined that appellate review of death sentences nationwide had found reversible error in 68% of these cases, that in 82% of the cases re tired after reversal, a death sentence was not issued; and

WHEREAS, a June 2000 Field Poll indicated that 73% of the California public favor an immediate halt to executions in the form of a moratorium while the reliability and fairness of the death penalty are studied; and

WHEREAS, no justice system can be free from error, corruption, coerced false testimony, false confessions, or other human fallibilities; and

WHEREAS, if executions continue, the execution of innocent people is inevitable and the execution of innocent people is beyond any modern standard of decency and fairness.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council of the City of Sebastopol calls for an immediate end to Capital Punishment in the State of California.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Sebastopol City Council opposes any expansion of death row facilities at San Quentin or other State prisons.

ADOPTED BY COUNCIL on the 21st day of January, 2003.

Approved; Craig Litwin (signed) Mayor

AYES: Councilmembers Anderson, Kelley, Robinson, Spooner and Mayor Litwin NOES: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None

ATTEST: Hollie Fiori (signed) City Clerk