Dear all

[ajsloot@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

I apologize in advance that this extremely urgent action (see below), to prevent an execution in South Carolina later this evening, is being posted outside the normal Death Penalty network.
I felt it was necessary to use all available forces to prevent the execution TODAY of Leroy Joseph 'Ricky' DRAYTON of USA (South Carolina). Pass this Urgent Action on to anyone in your network that can dedicate a few minutes to send that necessary fax.
Thanks for any help, and warm wishes,

Anja

U R G E N T    A C T I O N   A P P E A L

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12 November 1999

EXTRA 160/99       Death penalty / Legal concern
USA (South Carolina):
Leroy Joseph 'Ricky' DRAYTON, black, aged 44

Ricky Drayton is scheduled for execution this evening, 12 November 1999, in South Carolina. He was sentenced to death for the February 1984 murder of Rhonda Darlene Smith.
Evidence raised by Ricky Drayton's appeal lawyers casts doubt on the state's version of what happened in February 1984.   According to the prosecution, Ricky Drayton robbed Rhonda Darlene Smith at gunpoint, abducted, and finally killed her.  The state maintained that Ms Smith and Ricky Drayton were strangers to each other.   However, the appellate team's evidence indicates that the two were boyfriend and girlfriend, and supports the petitioner's claim that the shooting was accidental.
The appeal lawyers point to the failure of defence counsel to adequately investigate the relationship between the victim and the petitioner prior to the shooting, or to challenge the state's forensic evidence of the shooting.  Furthermore, the trial lawyer failed to conduct any examination into Ricky Drayton's mental condition at the time of the crime.   Despite being aware of his client's learning disabilities and psychological problems, he chose not to investigate any such mitigating evidence, leaving the jurors unable to take it into account when deliberating between life and death for the defendant.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send faxes:
* expressing concern that Leroy Joseph 'Ricky' Drayton is scheduled for execution later today;
* noting that his appeal lawyers have thrown doubt on the state's claims that the murder was a deliberate, premeditated shooting, and have raised serious questions about the competency of the defendant's trial counsel;
* expressing concern that the jury were left unaware of Ricky Drayton's learning disabilities and psychological problems;
* urging the Governor to exercise his power of executive clemency by commuting the death sentence against Ricky Drayton.

APPEALS TO:
The Honourable Jim Hodges
Governor of South Carolina
Columbia
South Carolina
Fax: 1 803 734 9413
Salutation: Dear Governor


PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY
This information is from Amnesty International's research headquarters in London, England. A.I. is an independent worldwide movement working for the international protection of human rights. It seeks the release of people detained because of their beliefs, color, sex, ethnic origin, language or religious creed, provided they have not used nor advocated violence. These are termed prisoners of conscience. It works for fair and prompt trials for all political prisoners and works on behalf of such people detained without charge or trial. It opposes the death penalty, extra-judicial executions (political killings), 'disappearances' and torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of all prisoners without reservation. Amnesty International promotes awareness of and adherance to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other internationally recognized human rights instruments, the values enshrined in them and the indivisibility and interdependence of all human rights and freedoms.