Letter to the Editor - Condemned by a lie

May 10, 2008 by Natasha Minsker, San Francisco Chronicle

Editor - Tuesday's decision by the California Supreme Court to reverse the death sentence of Adam Miranda shows why the governor was so wrong when he vetoed bills to prevent wrongful convictions and wrongful death sentences ("Death sentence overturned").

Miranda spent 26 years on California's death row because of the lies of an informant. The informant falsely testified at Miranda's death penalty trial that Miranda had committed a prior murder. In fact, the informant had committed the murder. Worse, prosecutors had in their possession evidence showing that their informant was lying but failed to give that evidence to the defense.

The California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice has issued a series of recommendations and sponsored legislation intended to eliminate these types of miscarriages of justice. But the governor has twice vetoed the commission's recommended legislation, including a bill to require corroboration of testimony by informants. His vetoes make it likely that other men and women will be wrongfully convicted and wrongfully sentenced to death in California.

The governor has another chance to redeem himself this year. By supporting the Commission's legislative package, the governor can help ensure that no one else is sent to death row in this state because of a murder's lies.

NATASHA MINSKER
Death Penalty Policy Director
ACLU of Northern California
San Francisco