A man sentenced to death is fighting for his life today

I got this from Amnesty International: 

http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=6oJCLQPAJiJUG&b=6645049&aid=14230&msource=W1209EADP2


Dear Tracy,

Today, Reggie Clemons begins the legal hearing of his life. For almost twenty years he has been awaiting execution in Missouri.

I'm here in St. Louis to offer my support to Reggie and his family. I'm here, in the courtroom, watching this man fight for his life.

This special hearing is an opportunity to re-examine old evidence and bring new evidence to light. When it's over, Reggie Clemons will be one step closer to ending his time on death row, or to death by lethal injection. The judge can make any number of recommendations to Missouri's Supreme Court ranging from granting Reggie a new trial to moving forward his execution.

Now more than ever, we need to make sure that the world knows about Reggie Clemons. Stop the execution of Reggie Clemons!

Amnesty members are out in full force in St. Louis to express our concerns about Reggie's case. On Saturday, we were joined by Reggie's parents and hundreds of activated supporters.

It was a beautiful sight -- Reggie's name and death penalty abolition slogans displayed on signs, buttons, t-shirts, and large banners and Amnesty activists proudly standing behind so many of them!

Last week we collected over 12,000 of your personal messages of support to Reggie and bound them together. We gave them to Reggie's father to share with Reggie. Reggie and his family were deeply moved by this show of support. They know that despite the incredibly difficult journey they have been on, they are not alone.

Missouri has created an important opening for Reggie by holding this hearing. If we can harness all of this amazing support and energy that's been building, then I believe with all of my heart that we can prevent his execution.

There is so much wrong with Reggie's case --allegations of police brutality, a prosecutor described as "abusive and boorish" by a federal judge, an inept defense, racial bias and a reliance on shaky witness testimony.

There is so much wrong with the way Missouri has sought justice for the deaths of Robin and Julie Kerry. Their loved ones deserve justice. And it will be better served when the many issues of unfairness in Reggie's case are finally sorted out.

Being in a courtroom again reminds me of watching another man who was on trial for his life, despite the serious flaws in the case against him. His name was Troy Davis.

The state of Georgia executed Troy on Sept. 21, 2011 -- almost one full year ago today.

That execution brought the ugly reality of the death penalty into sharp focus for millions tuned into the news that day. Thousands have joined us in our resolve to end the cruel and unjust system that carried out that shocking act.

Reggie Clemons needs you. Help us shine a bright light on his case so that Missouri doesn't repeat Georgia's terrible injustice.

In solidarity,

Laura Moye
Death Penalty Abolition Campaign Director
Amnesty International USA