Kenneth Foster Jr's Death Sentence Commuted
30 Aug 2007 02:35 GMTThe state of Texas has commuted the sentence of Kenneth Foster Jr., also known as Haramia KiNassor, whose case has sparked a reckoning across the United States because he has never killed anyone. He was going to be executed because one of the passengers in the car he was driving committed a murder. The best friend of the victim, the confessed killer, Former Bexar County District Attorney, former US president Jimmy Carter, and South African archbishop Desmond Tutu all stepped forward to decry the execution.
The Board of Pardons and Parole was set to respond to the appeal on August 29, but they put off their decision until August 30. Subsequent to their announcement, Foster was moved to Huntsville Prison, where the executions were set to take place. Foster's supporters were unsure how to interpret these events and asked that faxes and phone call continue. Local protests wee planned at prisons in Huntsville and Livingston and at the governor's mansion in Austin.
Foster's execution was scheduled one day shy of a year after the execution of his close friend and comrade Hasan Shakur. Both Shakur and Foster became activists on death row, struggling to uplift the human dignity of those caught in a system that many liken to modern day lynching. Texas recently executed its 400th prisoner since resuming the practice of state-sponsored killing in 1982. Three other executions are scheduled for this week alone.
Read dispatches by onsite reporter Walidah Imarisha: Aug29: 4pm | Aug29: 11pm | Aug30 6pm
Kenneth Foster Jr's Death Sentence Commuted!
Past Indymedia Coverage: Aug23: Sit In | Aug12: Last Appeal Denied | Aug11: New Developments | July30: Organizing for KF | July24: Execution plans highlight Texas use of Law of Parties | July21: Statewide march for KF | July18: Stop the execution of innocent man and death row activist
Related: DRIVE movement | freekenneth.com | savekenneth.blogspot.com | How We Will Protest Our Executions by Kenneth E. Foster and John Joe Amador | 8/22 letter from Rob Will of the DRIVE movement on Foster's Case | Amnesty International Statement in Support of Kenneth | AUDIO: Kenneth's Daughter on Democracy Now | VIDEO: Protest at Gov. Perry's Church to Support Kenneth Foster, Jr. | Deutch: Mitgegangen, mitgehangen? | Francais: Au Texas, Kenneth Foster au bout du couloir de la mort | Italiano: Giovane. Nero. Innocente. Ma deve morire | Espanol: "La muerte en Tejas: El caso de Kenneth Foster, hijo" por Mumia Abu-Jamal | Espanol: Resistencia a la máquina de muerte tejana: Kenneth Foster y John Joe Amador en huelga de hambre
BREAKING NEWS! Kenneth Foster Jr's Death Sentence Commuted!
Hans Bennett 30.Aug.2007 17:23
BREAKING NEWS!: Board of Pardons and Parole Rules 6 to 1 for Clemency for Kenneth Foster, and Governor upholds the decision, giving Foster a sentence of life in prison!
Radio interview from Huntsville Prison with Philadelphia journalist Walidah Imarisha
In this radio interview directly from Huntsville Prison, where Foster / KiNassor is being held, Philadelphia journalist Walidah Imarisha describes her visit with him this morning, and this unprecedented decision from the Board of Pardons and Parole. The interview was conducted (less than an hour ago) just before hearing that the governor has ruled in favor of the Board of Parole and Pardons' decision.
Just five minutes ago, I received the call from Imarisha telling me about the Governor's exciting decision. The audio interview was conducted just before hearing from the governor.
Listen to the interview with Imarisha:
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Update in Spanish
Free Kenneth! 31.Aug.2007 03:31
¡Condena a muerte de Kenneth Foster (Haramia) conmutada!
Hoy, 30 de agosto de 2007, el estado de Tejas no matará a Haramia por inyección letal, como programado para las 6:00 de la tarde. Debido a la presión ejercida por miles de personas del mundo, la Junta de Indultos y Libertad Condicional de Tejas votó 6-1 para recomendar la clemencia al gobernador Rick Perry, quien conmutó la sentencia de muerte a cadena perpetua.
En una entrevista con el periodista Hans Bennett justo antes del anuncio de la decisión del gobernador, la periodista y poeta Walidah Imarisha comentó que el voto de la Junta fue sin precedente—casi unánime. Ella logró visitar a Haramia hoy por la mañana y reportó que está lleno de energía, agradecido por todo el apoyo que ha recibido y resuelto a seguir luchando por la justicia.
El arzobispo sudafricano Desmond Tutu, Amnistía Internacional y muchos otros opositores a la pena de muerte enviaron declaraciones, cartas, llamadas, faxes y correos instando al estado de Tejas a detener la ejecución de Kenneth Foster.
El castigo capital, reconocido como una cruel violación de derechos humanos por la gran mayoría de los ciudadanos del mundo, se utiliza en el estado de Tejas cuatro veces más que en cualquier otro estado de Estados Unidos (el líder mundial). Haramia hubiera sido la quinta persona ejecutada en Tejas durante el mes de agosto. Además, hay cinco ejecuciones programadas en este estado para septiembre.
Lo curioso es que algunas personas que normalmente favorecen la mano duro se opusieron a esta ejecución porque piensan que la controvertida “ley de partes” va demasiado lejos.
En Tejas, esta ley impone la pena de muerte a cualquier persona asociada con un delito en el que ocurrió un homicidio. Aunque Haramia no hizo otra cosa que conducir un coche una noche hace once años, la corte lo encontró culpable porque Mauricio Brown, uno de sus tres pasajeros salió del coche, discutió con Michael LaHood, otro joven en una fiesta y lo mató de un disparo a una distancia de 30 metros del coche. El padre del joven que murió, un abogado blanco, rico y poderoso, apareció en un programa de televisión exigiendo la pena de muerte para los cuatro jóvenes del coche.
Haramia estaba en huelga de hambre para protestar la pena de muerte, junto con John Joe Amador, ejecutado ayer, 29 de agosto. Ahora la lucha será contra la cadena perpetua—otra barbaridad.
Movement to Save Kenneth Foster Wins Historic Victory
Free Kenneth 31.Aug.2007 07:08
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAVE KENNETH FOSTER CAMPAIGN
August 30, 2007
Movement to Save Kenneth Foster Wins Historic Victory
Family members and supporters of Kenneth Foster, Jr. are jubilant in the reaction to Texas Governor Rick Perry's today's announcement today that he would commute the death sentence of Kenneth Foster, who was convicted under the controversial "Law of Parties" for a 1996 murder in which he had no actual involvement. The Board of Pardons and Paroles had recommened clemency by a vote of 6-1. Foster's execution had been scheduled for tonight.
In a statement announcing the commutation, Perry said, "I am concerned about Texas law that allowed capital murder defendants to be tried simultaneously and it is an issue I think the Legislature should examine."
Reaction among Foster's family and friends included both joy and disbelief. “We felt a bit of disbelief because Perry’s decision was so unprecedented.” said Dana Cloud of the Save Kenneth Foster campaign. “But everyone is so happy that Kenneth will be able to touch his wife and daughter and that we have a chance of seeing him free. Anything is possible when you are alive.”
Claire Dube, a close high-school friend of Kenneth’s and an active member of the Save Kenneth Foster Campaign, broke into tears when she heard the news. “We don’t even know what to say. It’s incredible.”
Keith Hampton, Foster’s attorney, also expressed relief and happiness at winning his client’s life. Hampton thanked the activists of the grassroots movement that started in Austin and spread around the world for putting the necessary pressure on the Board and the Governor to win. “Extra-legal means work,” he said.
“Governor Perry once said that there was no hue and cry against the death penalty in Texas,” commented Lily Hughes of the Campaign to End the Death Penalty. “Well, here was your hue and cry.”
Foster’s family and other supporters will continue to work to free him from prison. “It seems like ten years on death row under 23-hour lockdown could amount to time served for any crime that Kenneth ever committed,” Cloud said.
Perry’s decision is historic. Not only has the Board of Pardons and Paroles rarely recommended clemency (by one count, 3 times since 1982), but Rick Perry has overseen more executions than any Governor of the State of Texas, including George Bush.
“This case demonstrated to the world just how arbitrary and capricious capital punishment is,” Cloud said. “It gives people pause when someone who killed no one could come this close to being executed.”
“Public sentiment has been turning against capital punishment,” Hughes said. “We’ve seen a lot of states stop executing people. Winning Kenneth’s life might be a real turning point in the history of the death penalty in Texas.”
OH.why
shelia 07.Sep.2007 07:30
O it's enigmatical
A message from Kenneth Foster
via Campaign to End the Death Penalty 08.Sep.2007 02:14
A message from Kenneth Foster....
http://indybay.org/newsitems/2007/09/07/18446233.php
I wanted to sit down and address a few people directly, because I think it's important to give thanks to those that made this victory possible. If it wasn't for certain people I know I would not be alive today.
First and foremost, I give praise and thanks to The Most High for giving me the strength to carry on through all these years for I know that I didn't do it by myself. I've watched too many men give up, condemn themselves, mutilate themselves, try to commit suicide and then there was those that did commit it. When we say that we live in a hell the description is pretty close. I didn't just start praying when I got this date. I've been striving towards spiritual attainment for a LONG time. But, prayer takes time and it does work.
Without the support and love of my grandparents and Uncle Lloyd I wouldn't be here. They've been the rock foundation to my house since DAY ONE! There were here when it started and they were here at the end. Much of who I am today is because of them and I have a life long service of betterment dedicated to them. And to my daughter for being the warrior princess she is. Her love made and kept me.
I have to give an unmatched love to my wife who has been by my side for over 2 years now; a person whom when was hated on she just found a way to dig in harder! No relationship is perfect, but through the fire we just become more purified. We've rolled with all the punches and if we've made it this far then there is no stopping or turning back.
Much love to my dad for stepping up when it counted. The same to my cousin Beverly Fisher whom rallied the troops. Big love to all my cousins, Aunts and Uncles that came to my side. You all touched my heart in a MAJOR way. Thank you for being there, because your vibes kept me positive.
Then I've got to give HUGE props to my good friend Adam Axel for doing amazing things. This young man has done some things that probably many of you don't realize. This guy was literally like a central command for me. You all have no idea. He acted as a central station to get me messages/letters/ printouts/ emails/updates from all over the world. Almost weekly I was getting 100 page Fed-X packages. Outside of the general campaign work he went above and beyond what was expected. I was definitely blessed to have you on my side. Outside of the work he kept me level headed and inspired. He's got a great future ahead of him.
And have no doubts about it I have to extend gigantic revolutionary greetings to the vanguard of the anti-death penalty movement the CEDP! These people are gladiators when it comes to grassroots activism and they definitely were the force behind this frontline. Bryan McCann you definitely helped us move mountains, and the whole Austin crew (Randi, Stefanie, Laura, Dana and the other comrades). We did this from Coast to Coast - made the people hear us. These other so called anti death penalty groups need to take some notes from how this group moves and functions for if they followed suit we may be able to abolish this death penalty very shortly. Just think that if all the anti death penalty groups moved in this fashion. It's time to revamp their strategies. Use the CEDP as an example they ARE the vanguard.
While there's no other groups that I can extend that type of thanks to there are individuals of groups that I'd like to thank for showing me some great support and solidarity. Big props goes to Steve Hall for making some big things happen. Thanks to Scott Cobb for holding an event on my behalf and also to Dave Atwood for being there. All of this played a role in this victory.
And from the top of my heart let me say that the love and support of Mary Felps and her crew helped me get where I am today. I was visited weekly by JoAnne Scott. They did to the best of their ability all they could for me. Much of that credit goes to her assistant JoAnne who mailed, typed, editted and so on. She definitely was a crutch that held me up. She is also the person that got Sean Paul Kelley on our team. Mary did amazing work through writing folks and did me a great service through an Amicus for Clemency to the Parole Board. There's much more too, but some things I'll just be taking to the grave with me one day (smile). They are amazing people.
I want to end with giving respect to some media channels that did me a great service: Pacifica, Forth Worth Star Telegram, Austin Statesman, Dallas Morning News. I want to specially thank KXAN for covering this story in a fair way. They were very much the professionals. I think these people gave extra support my way and they must know that I'm not going to let them down. There was so many petitions that I can't name them all. I must give much love to June and her Italian Film crew who tirelessly covered this fight. To Chiara and the crew - I love you all too. I know I'm missing some folks by name but I got you in my heart.
I especially got those in my heart that some of you never knew, but has been here for years like my god-mum Christine in England who helped me know love in new ways. Petra with ALIVE in germany. Grazia with PRC in Italy, who helped me with Sheila Murphy. And yes, I owe Sheila Murphy so much for if nothing else being a spiritual friend. But she did an amazing Amicus Brief and we all owe ArchBishop Desmond Tutu so much love for supporting us. My French girls did amazing things - Emilie, Vi, Fatou, Kadia. Can't leave out my amazing web-master Ms. Jennie. That site was the heart of this body and she ran it like a pro!
This has turned into a book, but it was necessary. My heart in overflooded with love and gratitude.
I haven't forgotten you, Keith Hampton. Though you gave me the blues on more occasions than I can name you stuck in there and kept me alive for 10 years where I could build this support team that helped make this happen. I've seen guys get to death row AFTER me and be done with their appeals and executed in 6 years. So, I'm thankful for the motions, supplements, Certs, motions (again,) rehearings etc.. that you filed.
Let it be known that I'm still not done fighting. As I've said as long as I have breath then freedom is within my grasp. I fully believe that it is not my destiny to spend the rest of these years in prison, though I know that being here for a minute is part of what I was called to do. My place is out there with you all working for this Struggle. For now I will do it from within here. But trust me, my gears have not stopped spinning on how to gain my freedom. (You should see the smile on my face right now.)
I exit this message with nothing but love on my lips, but you will hear from me again. I have a new environment to adjust to, but I won't let one minute slip past me. I have so much that I want to pursue and do. And it will be done!
Peace, Love and Respect to you all. Somebody send Mr. Rick Perry a complimentary DRIVE tshirt for me as a token of my deep gratitude!
Always, your soldier on the battlefield!
Kenneth"
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