Doubts haunt death penalties
The Collegian Opinion

    George Ryan, outgoing governor of Illinois, emptied his state's death row of all inmates 48 hours before leaving office.

    It was the largest emptying of death row in U.S. history.

    Ryan's decision came after he reviewed individual cases in which questions were raised as to the innocence of the inmates.

    One day prior to commuting the sentences of 167 people, Ryan pardoned four inmates, who had been condemned to the death penalty. Reportedly, the four men were tortured into confessing.

    While he was in office, more inmates were exonerated than executed.

    Wrongful convictions are often the subject of movies and one-hour television dramas. As audience members, we root for the wrongfully accused, holding our breaths until near the end when the person is finally exonerated.

    The problem is real life is not that exciting.

    The U.S. justice system, though one of the best in the world, is not perfect. Innocent people are placed behind bars all the time. Some of them make it all the way to death row.

    There is no safeguard for victims of a bad defense, bad investigation or bad judgment. The judicial system does not prevent innocent people from going to jail.

    We should begin looking at each death row inmate on an individual basis.

    Some wrongfully convicted people in different states get their cases reviewed, but not all of them. Some states deny a review of new evidence after the appeals have been exhausted.

    If new evidence surfaces, no matter what anyone thinks about the guilt of an inmate, it should be reviewed. People should not die when evidence indicates they did not commit the crime they are accused of.

    Appeals cost states millions. In Illinois, 67 percent of all capital verdicts were eventually reversed.

    This show of mercy to the families of those on death row in Illinois will bring attention to the death penalty system.

    Illinois now has the chance to reform the system without worrying about inmates being unjustly put to death before changes occur.

    The capital system is haunted by doubt and error, Ryan has said.

    There is error in determining guilt and error in determining who among the guilty deserves to die, he said.

    These errors are costing lives.

    Something should be done to reform these systems across the board. Just because someone is serving a sentence does not mean he committed the crime.