I have been following the current state of the death penalty in Illinois and Gov. Ryan’s recent acknowledgment of the many flaws contained within this system. I assure you that these problems are by no means endemic to Illinois alone. Here in California, where there are over 600 men and women on death row, the same problems exist that were exposed in Illinois, and I have personally experienced them. These problems include the disproportionate sentencing and executing of people of color and impoverished people, unequal attainability of adequate legal counsel, as well as the far too frequent and horrific mistake of sentencing innocent individuals such as myself.

This state-sponsored murder must be terminated and exposed in every state for its flaws and atrocities that have ended far too many human lives. What has happened in Illinois is a great victory for the anti-death penalty movement, and it should be seen as a spark that will ignite a nation-wide movement that will not cease until full abolition of this unjust death penalty is attained.

Write to Kevin Cooper, C-65304, San Quentin Prison, San Quentin CA 94974