New Trend Magazine (www.newtrendmag.org)

[Biggest Islamic web site in the U.S.]
P.O. Box 356, Kingsville, MD 21087.
Phone: 410-435-5000.

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Responses (positive or negative) up to 250 words are welcome.
Names will be withheld on request.
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OPPOSE THE DEATH PENALTY
PETITION FOR JUSTICE and a MORATORIUM ON ALL EXECUTIONS in OHIO
[Please add your name and return it to ksidd37398@aol.com]

Five men known as the LUCASVILLE FIVE - Siddique Abdullah Hasan, Keith Lamar, Namir Abdul-Mateen a/k/a James Were, Jason Robb and George W. Skatzes - have been condemned to death for their alleged roles during the disturbance at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville, Ohio on April 11-21, 1993.

1. There is no physical evidence linking any of these defendants with the crimes charged. All were convicted on the basis of testimony from other prisoners who were promised protection, letters to the parole board, reduced charges and sentences, dismissal of charges, or other benefits.
2. The State of Ohio interfered with attorneys' efforts to counsel defendants during the investigation prior to indictments. This occurred at a time when, according to law, they should have been presumed innocent.
3. The prosecution had access to resources far greater than the resources available to the defense, e.g., the prosecution had virtually unlimited funds at its disposal while the defense was not given adequate funds. Attorney Niki schwartz testified that it was as if the prosecution had been provided with nuclear weaponry and the defense had been provided with slingshots.
4. With regard to several of the defendants, they were prosecuted because of the roles they played as spokespersons and negotiators for the prisoners.
5. Although the indictments did not mention conspiracy, the prosecution based several of the convictions on an alleged conspiracy among rival gangs.
6. The State of Ohio engaged in repeated unscrupulous trial tactics, such as putting on perjured testimony, and withholding exculpatory evidence and information.
7. Counsel appointed for defendants provided ineffective assistance in numerous instances.

We, the undersigned, ask that:
i. Justice be assured with respect to the fate of these five men and that they receive new trials for the reasons enumerated above, and
ii. There be a moratorium on all executions in Ohio.
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NAME              PHONE          ADDRESS            I want to help organize
Kaukab Siddique   410-435-5000   POB 356, Kingsville,             Yes
                                 MD 21087
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2003-09-21 Sun 14:58ct