Contact: Suzanne Trimel, [email protected], 212-633-4150, @strimel
(New York) — Laura Moye, director of Amnesty International USA’s Campaign to Abolish the Death Penalty, made the following comments today, following the conclusion of the hearing to reexamine evidence in the death penalty case against Reggie Clemons in Missouri:
“The hearing was a critical opportunity for Reggie Clemons to present evidence of the many problems that tainted the investigation and prosecution of his case. Amnesty International has long been concerned by the allegations of police brutality and prosecutorial misconduct, among other issues, that the case against Clemons has raised. Evidence presented that both Clemons and Tom Cummins, the state’s star witness, were mistreated in the case is particularly disturbing given the high stakes of a capital case. This is one reason Amnesty International unequivocally opposes the death penalty. Our hope is that the presentation of evidence to the Special Master Judge Michael Manners, which will continue into the fall, will shed more light on the case so that issues of unfairness in the process can be properly addressed and justice for the loss of Robin and Julie Kerry’s lives can be achieved.
With so many swirling allegations and doubt about the fairness of the police investigation and the trial, a reexamination of this case was critical. Now, it is up to the judge to sort through the conflicting testimony and evidence with a determination to serve justice for the deaths of the Kerry sisters."
Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 3 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.