Innocence Project Applauds Illinois for Abolishing the Death Penalty

(SPRINGFIELD, IL; March 9, 2011) Today Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law a bill abolishing the death penalty in Illinois.  The following is a statement by Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld, Co-Directors of the Innocence Project, which is affiliated with Cardozo Law School.  

“History will record that the modern movement to halt the use of capital punishment in America began with the Illinois moratorium in 2000 after thirteen men were exonerated off death row and the risk of executing the innocent became undeniable and intolerable.  Today Gov. Quinn eliminates that risk forever in Illinois; others, recognizing this supremely unjust risk, will surely follow.”