To the editor:

I believe that Craig Tucker (May 15, Public Forum) and I can agree on something: We should not execute the innocent. The experiences of Ronald Williamson, Robert Miller and Rolando Cruz demonstrate the benefit of “endless legal appeals.” Without their appeals, those men would have been executed for crimes they did not commit. Proof of their innocence was discovered during their appeals.

Mr. Tucker makes reference to two recent cases and states with regard to the defendants, “There is no doubt about their guilt.” Mr. Tucker should read “Actual Innocence.” This book contains many examples of juries that were convinced beyond a reasonable doubt of the accused’s guilt because of false confessions, mistaken eyewitnesses and the lies of jailhouse snitches.

Our criminal justice system is far from foolproof. In my opinion, the death penalty is a thing that we can never “do right.” But if we want to impose this irrevocable punishment on our fellow citizens, we must endeavor to do it right, in order to protect the innocent. We must, at a minimum, play fair. The state prosecutes these cases with its most experienced attorneys, legions of investigators and the resources of state crime labs. The man or woman on trial for his life is entitled to the same. This is an expensive endeavor; taking a life should be. Perhaps our state funds would be better spent on education.

Debra Wilson,

Lawrence