BY GEORGE, I THINK HE'S GOT IT!

BY GEORGE, I THINK HE'S GOT IT!
by Timothy Rollins, Editor and Publisher

January 13, 2003

With the decision by outgoing Governor George Ryan (R-IL, right) to empty out Illinois' death row by commuting the sentences to life without parole, many victim's rights groups as well as survivors of aforesaid victims of the condemned have lashed out at Ryan for taking what they view as such "precipitous and callous action." However, a closer look at the issue has me disagreeing with the victims' rights groups and actually supporting the governor's actions in this instance.

On the surface and as a strong proponent of capital punishment, I would agree. However, Illinois is a case all its own in the area of capital punishment - especially when one takes into consideration the fact that the state's attorney for DuPage County was brought up on charges for malfeasance in office for the way in which criminal cases were handled. Though later acquitted, a subsequent run for public office on his part was later unsuccessful.

Consequently, and in light of 13 death row inmates having been found to be innocent of the crimes for which they were sentenced to death in the first place and subsequently freed (thank you, Northwestern University Graduate School of Journalism), there was really no alternative in this case but to commute to life without parole the sentences of the 157 who were on death row. The fact that the four who were pardoned outright last week by Governor Ryan had their so-called 'confessions' literally tortured out of them by the Chicago Police Department, an agency notorious for their corruption, incompetence and their over eagerness in seeking to pass the buck in seeing to it that anyone other than themselves is blamed for it. However unpopular the decision is with many in conservative circles, Ryan is nonetheless to be commended for what is probably the only shining moment in what is undoubtedly the most scandal-plagued administration in recent Illinois history.

The fact remains that both on the surface and beneath it in Illinois, such an action was the only thing Ryan could have done - particularly given the inherent corruption and out-and-out rot that is rampant, systemic, endemic and epidemic in both the police departments and state's attorney's offices in the Chicagoland area - Chicago proper, which is mostly non-white and Democratically-controlled, and the Chicago suburbs which are white and Republican-controlled. Both these areas seem to have a problem in handling perps - and it seems the more serious the charge, the more likely their rights were to be trampled on.

To make matters worse, Ryan's only term in office was marked by more scandals and irregularities than Bill Clinton with more of Ryan's staffers indicted and convicted for campaign and ethical violations, to include campaign work being done on the taxpayer's dime - something both totally inexcusable and wholly inappropriate.

A new administration comes into office this week, and with that, one wishes the incoming governor and his new team all the best. It is hoped that through both meaningful changes and a more faithful adherence to the rule of law that those who come before the bar of justice will get a more equitable and open day in court.

The problem was not the Illinois capital punishment law as it was written; it was overzealous state's attorneys and cops who were under too much public pressure with a 'solve cases quick at all costs' mentality that directly led to this mess and until the public learns, understands and accepts the fact that quality police work takes time if a conviction is going to stick, we will continue to have these problems with the judicial system.

But then again, what do you expect from a society that like the flapper girl, wants all, and wants it all right now? ***

Photo of Timothy Rollins courtesy of staff files
Photo of Governor George Ryan (R-IL) courtesy of the Associated Press