July 31 ILLINOIS: Ryan Uses Pulpit To Talk Against Death Penalty----Ryan Declared Moratorium On Executions While Governor With a high profile public trial looming, former governor George Ryan is talking about his opposition to the death penalty. A cause that has had him traveling the globe today took him to a Chicago church, where Ryan gave a sermon that mixed preaching with politics. Former governor George Ryan took the pulpit at the downtown church he used to attend. "Jesus teaches us to love our enemies and turn the other cheek. Killing our fellow man is not in his vocabulary" Ryan explained how much of his opposition to the death penalty is rooted in HIS faith, including the 10 commandments. "One of the best of all is thou shalt not kill," Ryan said. Ryan gave the sermon at the First United Methodist Church of Chicago. "I thought it was a very powerful statement and I wish more people would listen to what he has to say," parishioner Michelle Clayton said. Ryan detailed how as governor he switched from being a strong proponent of the death penalty to calling a moratorium on executions. After wide-spread injustices were uncovered Ryan commuted the sentences of 167 death row inmates, and pardoned four who were wrongly convicted. One was Aaron Patterson, who just last week was convicted on 13 counts of drug and weapons charges. And now, after spending 17 years on death row, is going back to prison again, possibly for life. "Most of these fellows come from prison on death row with no skills, no abilities, not much family left and it's a tough struggle for them," Ryan said. "I'm sorry to see he didn't' make it." The former governor says he will continue to speak around the world in a push for an international moratorium on the death penalty. In the immediate future though it is likely more of his time will be spent preparing for his upcoming trial on corruption charges that is scheduled to start September 15. (source: CBS News) OKLAHOMA: Death Row Inmate Sentenced To 50 More Years A Duncan man already facing a death sentence on a murder conviction has been ordered to serve 50 years in prison on 5 drug convictions. Ricky Ray Malone, 29, was sentenced Friday in a hearing held on Oklahoma State Penitentiary's death row. He pleaded guilty to the drug charges last year. In June, Malone was sentenced to die on a murder conviction in the Dec. 26, 2003, death of Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Nikky Green. Stephens County Associate District Attorney Jerry Herberger said he wanted to complete the sentencing on the drug charges in case an appeal overturned Malone's death sentence. He noted that the Department of Corrections regards a life sentence as 45 years. "I'm very pleased it went ahead," Herberger said. "The main goal is to assure he doesn't get out ever again." Herberger said the hearing lasted about 10 minutes. He and Jim Kee, Malone's attorney, made brief arguments before District Court Judge Joe Enos handed down the sentence. Malone, who was clad in prison denim, was shackled and several prison guards kept a close eye on him. The prison's warden and 2 deputy wardens were also present. Malone declined an opportunity to speak during the hearing. (source: KOTV News)
