Title: Spare Texas woman's life, church leaders urge
Date: January 30, 1998
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: news@cm.disciples.org
98b-3
INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- With the execution of a Texas woman approaching, the leaders of three North American church bodies Jan. 26 urged "that the life of Karla Faye Tucker be spared, and that the nation rethink its current commitment to the death penalty."
The Rev. Paul H. Sherry of Cleveland, president of the 1.5-million-member United Church of Christ; the Rev. Richard L. Hamm of Indianapolis, general minister and president of the 900,000-member Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); and the Rev. Joan Brown Campbell of New York City, general secretary of the National Council of Churches; made the plea in a public statement that was also faxed to Gov. George W. Bush of Texas.
Tucker, now 38, was convicted and sentenced to death in 1984 for her part in the 1983 killings of two people in Houston. She has admitted her guilt. Her execution is set for Feb. 3.
The church leaders note in their statement that Tucker's life has by all accounts been "transformed" in prison and that her prosecutor, the victims' family members and others now oppose her execution. "This case forces our society to a decision," Sherry, Hamm and Campbell write.
"Do we believe only in punishment, an eye for an eye? Do we reward transformation with death? Do we want a criminal justice system that does not want repentance and rehabilitation, and will not accept it when it happens?"
The UCC's General Synod, the Disciples' General Assembly and the NCC's General Assembly have long been on record against the death penalty.
[EDITORS: Here is the full text of a Jan. 26 statement by the Rev. Paul H. Sherry, president of the United Church of Christ; the Rev. Richard L. Hamm, general minister and president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); and the Rev. Joan Brown Campbell, general secretary of the National Council of Churches.]
"Karla Faye Tucker is scheduled for execution by the State of Texas February 3rd. Execution would be morally and spiritually wrong.
"There is no doubt that Karla, at the age of 23, brutally murdered a man while living a life of prostitution and serious drug abuse. There is also no doubt that Karla is now transformed, following a religious conversion and current work in prison ministry. As Karla keeps repeating, she is not the same woman.
"Many agree, including the detective who arrested her, the prosecutor who convicted her, one of her jurors who voted for the death penalty, and family members of the victims. All of these now oppose her execution.
"There is strong opposition to the death penalty by the General Synod of the United Church of Christ, the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the General Assembly of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. This case makes crystal clear one vital reason for this opposition by many religious groups. We believe that repentance is both possible and necessary.
"We believe that transformation of people into the Christian life is both possible and highly valued. We celebrate when people move from being destructive members of the community to becoming constructive, loving members of the community. Even in the terrible environment of prison, Karla has managed to do this, and shows every sign of continuing her ministry, which is greatly needed.
"This case forces our society to a decision. Do we believe only in punishment, an eye for an eye? Do we reward transformation with death? Do we want a criminal justice system that does not want repentance and rehabilitation, and will not accept it when it happens?
"We urge that the life of Karla Faye Tucker be spared, and that the nation rethink its current commitment to the death penalty."
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