National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty

e - @ b o l i t i o n i s t

May 2006

Please forward and cross-post this message widely.

Seven Executions Scheduled in May

There are seven execution dates spread throughout the month of May, with four of them scheduled in Texas. The cases of two death row inmates scheduled for execution on May 17th raise serious concerns.

One of these is Sedley Alley, who is scheduled to be executed by the state of Tennessee on May 17th. There is substantial and reasonable doubt as to the credibility of Alley’s conviction and death sentence.

Another, Jermaine Herron, awaits execution on Texas' death row. Crucial to the prosecution’s case against Herron were the statements he made to police without an attorney present---even though he had explicitly requested one. This fact ties into a larger problem of ineffective assistance of council.

Read more about these and the other five cases below -- and ACT!

Do Not Execute Sedley Alley!

The state of Tennessee is scheduled to execute Sedley Alley despite serious concerns about the reliability of his conviction. Evidence withheld from the defense at trial indicates that police had Alley under surveillance at the time of the homicide. This evidence, which had been withheld for 20 years, seriously calls into question Alley’s guilt, since the police’s own records show that he was not present at the time of the victim’s death.

Physical evidence exists that could establish, once and for all, whether or not Alley is guilty or innocent. This evidence has never been tested for DNA evidence. The testing can be done quickly, with no cost to the state and no delay of the execution, should it, in fact, point to Alley as the killer. But the state has opposed all attempts to have this evidence tested.

Other problems likewise call the conviction into question. Under these circumstances, the burning question becomes, what are Shelby County and the state of Tennessee so afraid of that they would fight against a fair and just examination of all evidence?

ACT NOW by contacting Gov. Phil Bredesen requesting that he stop the execution of Sedley Alley!

Read More and Take Action at:
http://www.demaction.org/dia/organizations/ncadp/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=3439


Do Not Execute Jermaine Herron!

Jermaine Herron, a black man, awaits execution on Texas’ death row. Crucial to the prosecution’s case against Herron were the statements he made to police after surrendering himself for arrest. What is troubling is that these statements were made without an attorney present even though Herron had explicitly requested one.

Although the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals admitted that the trial court had made an error by allowing Herron’s statements, they deemed the error “harmless” and refused to grant Herron relief. This begs the question of whether or not the jury would have arrived at the same verdict had the statement been excluded. While we will never know the answer to this question, this case illustrates that human fallibility is a reality in our criminal justice system.

ACT NOW by contacting Gov. Rick Perry and asking that Jermain Herron's execution be halted!

Read More and Take Action at:
http://www.demaction.org/dia/organizations/ncadp/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=3438


See and act on all current Execution Alerts at

http://www.ncadp.org/execution_alerts.html

May 2: Joseph Clark, OH
http://www.demaction.org/dia/organizations/ncadp/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=3434

May 4: Jackie Wilson, TX
http://www.demaction.org/dia/organizations/ncadp/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=3435

May 12: Jerry Conner, NC
http://www.demaction.org/dia/organizations/ncadp/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=3436

May 16: Derrick O'Brien, TX
http://www.demaction.org/dia/organizations/ncadp/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=3437

May 17: Jermaine Herron, TX
http://www.demaction.org/dia/organizations/ncadp/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=3438

May 17: Sedley Alley, TN
http://www.demaction.org/dia/organizations/ncadp/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=3439

May 24: Jesus Aguilar, TX
http://www.demaction.org/dia/organizations/ncadp/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=3440

Betreff: Fwd: EMF...powerlines and appls...see Leukaemia death re elec meter
Von: JCMPelican@aol.com
Datum: Mon, 1 May 2006 09:40:16 EDT

Dear Olle and Roger: This link should open page re "News.Telegraph" article published 5-1-06. A date in 2002 is shown as submitted -- I don't know whether publication was held-up since 2002 but will try contacting the paper. I do not recall ever having seen that much detail re Studholme boy who slept close to electric meter but do know about the case.

I have a case file re another boy's Leukaemia death in Sylvania Waters, Australia. Jacinta Sunderland had submitted a brief post at the time (Australian website) saying she thought electric meter was the cause of her son's death. She gave me permission to use the information to help in whatever way I choose.

As you know, Bonnie Boyum, whose son died from Leukaemia about six years ago, has given me permission to share information that Michael Boyum was sleeping close to an electric clock and small fan (headboard of bed).

We have proof that our two grandsons, diagnosed with rare immune deficiencies, improved significantly after moving their beds away from walls opposite electric meters. We had been told they may develop Leukaemia, Lymphoma or other cancers.

I also have lab results identifying pre-Leukaemic blood changes in guinea pigs when their cage was placed against "powerwall" in my home (wall opposite electric meter). I also have results showing "improvement" in white blood counts after moving the survivors away from electric meter.

Dr. Andrew Marino conducted similar guinea pig study at Louisiana State University. Dr. Duane Dahlberg's "Minnesota Herd Study" reported pre-Leukemic blood changes in cows.

Last night, I read in the book "Melatonin Miracle," a quote by Dr. Russell Reiter that indicated Dr. Reiter suspects ".....pulsed EMF's from appliances....[not verbatim] ...as being more likely to cause Leukaemia than powerlines.

I saw a news report this morning about a fellow in England (a "Mr. Scott") who was dubbed "Marathon Man." He wore the suit while walking/dragging himself for 8 days until arriving at Buckingham Palace. He was raising money for Leukaemia -- something like $3 mil American.

I don't know whether the money was raised for purpose of research which is necessary, of course. Considering the release today, May 1, 2006, of the article re property devaluation due to powerlines and Leukaemia concerns, and the facts as summarized above, it is obvious there is "urgent need" for studies to confirm development of Leukaemia in persons (not just children as evidenced by Michael Boyum's death at age 23) who are sleeping too close to electric meters as well as electric clocks, power supply boxes for cordless phones and more!!!

By copy of this email, I am therefore making "another appeal" to the Charity, "Children With Leukaemia" for immediate public service announcements recommending precaution re bedside electrical items!!!

I believe you, Olle, submitted request to Children With Leukaemia for funding? I have also made appeals for funding you for purpose of replicating the studies re grandchildren and guinea pigs but since I am not qualified according to the Children With Leukaemia's requirements for requests for funding, I had hoped the Charity would see the importance of being a bit creative insofar as providing funding for my "nonexpert request."

I know you have attempted to have warnings placed on appliances, Roger. This may be a good time to renew those efforts. Public service announcements by Children With Leukaemia may provide the necessary help? Take care - Joanne

Joanne C. Mueller Guinea Pigs R Us
731 - 123rd Avenue N.W. Minneapolis, Minnesota 55448-2127 USA Phone: 763-755-6114 Email: jcmpelican@aol.com [5-1-06]


Betreff: EMF...powerlines and appls...see Leukaemia death re elec meter Von: JCMPelican@aol.com
Datum: Mon, 1 May 2006 08:41:30 EDT

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;jsessionid=JC0DHRCL4UF5QFIQMFCFGGAVCBQYIV0?xml=/news/2002/10/06/nemf06.xml

NEWS.TELEGRAPH 5-1-2006

Article originally submitted in 2002 .....(Published 2002???) Powerlines and APPLIANCE EMF's -

see Studholme case re electric meter Leukaemia death


New evidence links power lines and cancer
By Andrew Alderson, Chief Reporter

(Filed: 06/10/2002)

Overhead power lines and household electrical appliances increase the risk of developing cancer, according to the findings of an eight-year study into the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs).

The £4.5 million study, the largest held into the effects of EMFs on health, suggests that hundreds of thousands of Britons, particularly children, are at risk from life-threatening illnesses linked to the emissions. Pregnant women are also at greater risk of miscarrying.

Its findings will be seized on by campaigners who argue that EMFs from overhead power lines and mobile phone masts are responsible for cancer and leukaemia "clusters" across Britain.

The National Radiological Protection Board, the Government watchdog on radiation, reported last year that its studies into the effect of EMFs had been inconclusive.

The latest study was commissioned by the California Public Utilities Commission, which is expected to publish the full report in the next few months. Scientists reviewed scores of previous studies from all over the world, including Britain, and carried out new research in the San Francisco area.

The researchers told The Telegraph that they believe that EMFs increase the risks of life-threatening illnesses including childhood leukaemia, adult brain cancer and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a degenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

Dr Raymond Neutra of the California Department of Health Services, who led the research, said: "In Britain, hundreds of thousands of homes are exposed to levels [of EMFs] that mean they could be at risk."

Dr Vincent DelPizzo, a senior member of the research team, said: "People have a right to be warned but whether a major effort to reduce EMFs is appropriate must still be decided."

The first suspected link between overhead power lines and cancer was made in America in 1979. Some reports, however, have dismissed a connection, while others have said that evidence is inconclusive. Until now, those considering long and costly legal action have been advised that it would probably fail because of lack of proof.

John Scott, the Conservative MSP for Ayr who led an unsuccessful campaign to stop the erection of more than 200 pylons in South Ayrshire, said yesterday: "The implications of this [study] could be enormous for the power-generating companies."

If the report bolsters demands for the burying of all power cables, the cost will run into billions of pounds. A spokesman for the Electricity Association said: "If the Government ever decreed that power lines had to be placed underground then the costs would be passed straight on to the consumer."

Every mile of underground cabling costs nearly £16 million to install, whereas overhead cables cost about £800,000 over the same distance.

The power companies could face a string of lawsuits from families who claim to have been affected by EMFs, as could manufacturers of domestic appliances.

Martyn Day, a solicitor representing a dozen families who are considering legal action against power companies they claim were negligent, said: "The evidence has been accumulating over the past 23 years and this sounds a very significant piece of additional information."

Among those who claim to have been affected are Ray and Denise Studholme, who believe that their son Simon would still be alive if he had not been subjected to a strong electromagnetic field in his bedroom.

As Simon slept, his head was less than 3ft from an electricity meter and a burglar alarm in a hall cupboard. According to the family, tests after their son's death revealed that the two appliances gave off an EMF more than six times the recommended safe limit.

Simon was diagnosed with leukaemia in November 1990, nearly two years after the family moved to their three-bedroom home near Bolton, Greater Manchester. He died in September 1992, aged 13.

The family hopes to use the study's findings to resume a test case against Norweb, their electricity supplier. They dropped a civil case five years ago after losing their right to legal aid.

"We faced an uphill battle all the way to win compensation," said Mr Studholme, 54, who has retired from his job as a financial adviser because of his poor health.

"If I had known about the electromagnetic fields Simon would not have been sleeping there. Within six months of moving here he used to get up in the morning complaining of headaches and feeling light-headed," said Mr Studholme.

In America up to five per cent of homes have EMF levels considered potentially dangerous. It is estimated that the same percentage of homes in Britain could be at risk, either because of nearby power lines, internal wiring or electrical equipment.

Dr Michael Clark, the scientific spokesman for the National Radiological Protection Board, said yesterday that the board welcomed new research into the effect of EMFs but would not comment on the findings from California until it had studied the full report.

Roger Coghill, who runs an independent science laboratory in Pontypool, Gwent, and who has studied the effect of EMFs on people's health for more than a decade, said that he was impressed by the latest research project.

"This is a huge, well-conducted study and people must pay attention to its results. Some power companies have deliberately suppressed research in this field. But in the end the truth will out and here it is.

"We are all on the same side: we all want electricity but none of us wants brain tumours."

Exactly how cancer could be caused by such exposure remains a mystery, however. The strength of the magnetic fields falls away rapidly from overhead power lines - just a few dozen yards from a pylon registers well below the natural magnetic field level of the Earth. Studies of living cells and animals exposed to such weak fields have hitherto failed to reveal any changes normally linked to cancer.

© Copyright of Telegraph Group Limited 2006.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;jsessionid=JC0DHRDCL4UF5QFIQMFCFGGAVCBQYIV0?xml=/news/2002/10/06/nemf06.xml