In Colorado, Blacks Make Up 4 Percent Of The Population And 100 Percent Of Death Row

By Nicole Flatow on May 21, 2013 at 3:00 pm

In March, Colorado came close tobecoming the 19th state to abolish the death penalty, but the bill failed after Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) voiced opposition and suggested a possible veto. A few months later, Colorado’s death penalty is still firmly in place, and the state is poised to complete what would be only the second execution in 45 years (the last was in 1997). Few dispute that Nathan Dunlap committed a horrific crime and murdered several people at a Chuck E. Cheese. But judges, university professors, and other prominent state leaders are urging Gov. Hickenlooper to commute Dunlap’s sentence, both because crucial errors that defined his trial may have led him to get a harsher sentence than others, and because killing anyone under the perverted state system would be a miscarriage of justice. According to letters filed with Hickenlooper’s office:

• All three people on death row are black men. In a state that is only 4.3% African American, Colorado’s death row is 100% African American.
• All three men on death are from the same one county, out of Colorado’s 64.
• All three men committed their crime when they were under the age of 21.
• Two law professors who studied Colorado’s application of the death penaltyconcluded it was unconstitutional, after finding that prosecutors pursue the death penalty in less than one percent of the cases where it is an option, and that the state failed to set “clear statutory standards for distinguishing between the few who are executed and the many who commit murder.”

“It appears that race, geography and youth largely determines who gets the death penalty in Colorado,” wrote a group of NAACP leaders in a letter urging Gov. Hickenlooper to grant clemency. They note that not a single black juror served on the panel that sentenced Dunlap to death.

In addition to the injustices that define the Colorado system, a group of former Colorado judges also point out that Dunlap’s bipolar disorder and psychotic tendencies were not even mentioned at trial. In fact, according to their letter, Dunlap’s lawyer told the jury that there was no explanation for his violence.

The judges add that “no clear evidence exists that the death penalty deters violent crime. What it does in our current system, as in this case, is to drain our judicial system of millions of dollars as mandatory appeals drag on for decades.” Studies have shown that the death penalty does not lower the homicide rate. In fact, the murder rate is lower in states without the death penalty. Hickenlooper says he continues to wrestle with the death penalty, and whether to commute Dunlap’s sentence.http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/05/21/2044001/in-colorado-blacks-make-up-4-percent-of-the-population-and-100-percent-of-death-row/

Locked Up, What To Do When Your AZZ Get's Locked Up - A Poor Man's Guide To Freedom

Locked Up, What To Do When Your AZZ Get's Locked Up - A Poor Man's Guide To Freedom by Nancy Lockhart, is selectively designed as a tool against  mass incarceration.

Sample From Book.

• SHUT THE HELL UP

• ASK FOR AN ATTORNEY

If you talk, you could and probably will end up hurting yourself. In other words – ya might catch a bad case.

What are Miranda Rights?

"You have the right to remain silent.

1. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
   
2. You have the right to an attorney.
   
3. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you.
   
4. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you."(www.findlaw.com)
   

• DO NOT RUN – DO NOT RESIST ARREST
  

Police are very suspicious that people who run have a weapon and if you run they may draw their weapon or, even shoot you in the back. There are more and more cases today across the United States of police shooting individuals running. Also, you will not be able to outrun the 30 plus officers and the helicopter that will chase you. If you run, you will more than likely be beaten when you are caught. It's happening everyday.



Resisting arrest - don't hit the officer, push the officer or slap his hands away. What probably would have been a misdemeanor is now a felony because you touched the officer. You're headed to the penitentiary now for assault on an officer.
There is a great increase in police shootings and killings around the country. Don't give the officer a reason to shoot you.

Keep your hands out of your pockets! You do not want to give the police the idea that there is a weapon in your pockets. Keep your hands visible.

• Try to remember the officer's name and badge number.
  

• Two Wrongs Don't Make A Right

Don't sit there saying you want to get out of jail and you are in jail committing crimes. Do you actually want to get out or, are you just talking? Don't waste your money, your loved one's money or anybody else's money sitting up in the jail house talking on an illegal cell phone, using drugs or anything else they told you not to do. Two Wrongs Don't Make A Right.

GET YOUR MIND RIGHT

• If you are reading this and you are incarcerated, get your mind right.

• That's important – GET YOUR MIND RIGHT.

Call On God, Jesus, Buddha, Allah, or your ancestors. Ancestors are Uncle Tony who died last year, grandmother who passed long time ago and anyone else in your blood line who made the transition (died). Other ancestors are those who worked in the trenches.

Get your mind right. Learn to play the game quickly.

• YOU ONLY GET ONE TIME TO MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION

So, it's time for trial and you're overly anxious awaiting this date. Several very small things will make this stressful situation a lot smoother and more successful. Freedom For The Poor requires some work on your part.

Appearance – For Men - A short haircut will gain yourself positive results. If you have locks, a long wildin afro or braids. I suggest that you cut your hair into a very neat low (to the scalp) hair cut. Now, I love locks, braids and semi wildin fros but, the judge and jury may not.

Have someone buy you a pair of pants that is your size – with a belt.

• During the trial, sit up straight in the chair, don't slouch down in the chair. Sit up straight and remain calm and cool – even if the police officer who arrested you lies.

Appearance – For Women

Wear a skirt that is long enough to reach your knees. Wear a blouse that covers cleavage and your arms. I would remove long fake nails and the tall hair do. Remember that you're seeking freedom – this is not a beauty contest.

• Attitude – change your negative attitude. Call on your maker, your God or ancestors. Do whatever it is you have to do – change the negative attitude. Be respectful.

• Never Give Up – Help yourself. Read, and take notes. Keep a journal with the facts of your case.