Mary Neal's Sharebook 

Last year on April 20th, I joined Capital X in solidarity as he walked for Michael Astorga during his 1300 mile walk across the country in protest of the death penalty. I held a press conference on this day, to remind people why we do not need the death penalty, and to remind them that Michael Astorga is innocent until proven guilty. A year later, Michael is still awaiting trial. Although the death penalty has now been repealed in New Mexico, Michael is still in danger of facing the death penalty if he is convicted because the Bill that Governor Richardson signed into law on March 18th, is not retroactive. The bill does not go into effect until July 1st.  Michael is not the only one affected by this bill. There are four other men who could see a death sentence if convicted. Remember these names Arturo Alvarado, John La Bombard, William Watson and Justin Romero.

 

There are two men currently on death row. Timothy Allen and Robert Fry. Governor Richardson has said he WILL NOT commute the sentences of these two men. The governor has also publicly said he supports the DA's choice to continue to seek the death penalty against Michael Astorga.

 

Part of Governor Richardson's own statement when signing the abolition bill into law was that he did not have faith in our justice system to say who lives or dies. So, the question remains, what is the difference for these seven men? Are their lives less important because of a date on the calendar?

 

On April 20th, I ask everyone to please call, email, fax, write to Governor Richardson and remind him that abolition should mean abolition for everyone and that he should not contradict his own reasoning for signing the bill into law!  Please also contact the three DA's who are seeking death sentences for the five current pending capital cases.

 

I have spend the past two years on April 20th, my birthday, fighting for the rights of others and being the voice that they need. I hope you help me to accomplish my goal again this year.

 

In Struggle,

 

Christy Armell

CEDP-ABQ Chapter

 

 

Please re-post far and wide!

 

Governor Bill Richardson
Office of the Governor
490 Old Santa Fe Trail
Room 400
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-476-2200

http://www.governor .state.nm. us/email. php?mm=6&type=opinion

 District Attorney Kari Brandenburg
Seeking the death penalty for :

 Michael Astorga

Arturo Alvarado

Mailing/Street Address:
520 Lomas NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Telephone: (505) 841-7100
Fax: (505) 841-7015

2ndDA@da.state. nm.us

 District Attorney Angela Pacheco

 Seeking the Death Penalty for:

 John La Bombard

Justin Romero

327 Sandoval St.
Santa Fe, NM 87504
Telephone: (505) 827-5000
Fax: (505) 827-5076
1stDA@da.state. nm.us

 District Attorney Michael Chandler

Seeking the death penalty for:

William Watson

Roosevelt County Courthouse - Suite B-1
Portales , NM 88130
Telephone: (575) 356-4434
Fax: (575) 359-3083

9thDA@da.state. nm.us

 (tags: GovernorBillRichardson, NewMexico, DeathPenalty, MaryNeal, Execution, LethalInjection, Abolitionists, DeathRow, DeathPenaltyRepeal, LifeWithoutParole )