Feb. 1 ILLINOIS: Loyola University Chicago Welcomes Former M*A*S*H Star Mike Farrell to Speak at Event, 'Thou Shall Not Kill: Abolition of the Death Penalty in the U.S.' Mike Farrell will be speaking to the Loyola University Chicago community on the subject of capital punishment as part of the Dead Man Walking School Theatre Project 2004-05 on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. in the Kathleen Mullady Theatre, 1125 W. Loyola Ave. Best known as "BJ Hunnicutt" from M*A*S*H and most recently as veterinarian "Jim Hansen" in Providence, Mike Farrell is a political and social activist fighting against an increasing disregard for basic human rights. Being a life-long opponent of the death penalty, Farrell has debated and spoken about this issue on many occasions across the country. He has actively involved himself in overturning execution sentences in Texas, California, Florida, and Illinois among others and was the "opposing voice" in the sentencing of Timothy McVeigh and Ted Kaczynski. In 1996, he was awarded the Valentine Davies Award by the Writers Guild of America for his contributions to entertainment and the community that "has brought dignity and honor to writers everywhere." Currently co-chair of the California Human Rights Watch South, he also serves as chair of Death Penalty Focus of California, member of the Board of Directors of 'The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty,' and a member of the American Civil Liberties Union. The lecture is Wednesday, February 2, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. in the Kathleen Mullady Theatre. The admission is free but you must make reservations by calling the Box Office at (773) 508-3847 or stopping by the office in the Centennial Forum during the hours of 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Monday - Friday. This is one of many events included in Loyola's year-long study and performance project on the issue of capital punishment as part of the Dead Man Walking School Theatre Project 2004-2005. Oscar nominated Tim Robbins invited Loyola University Chicago's theatre department to workshop the play version of his gut-wrenching movie, "Dead Man Walking". Nearly 20 departments and several student organizations came together for a year-long contemplation on legal and moral questions surrounding the death penalty. Performances of Dead Man Walking will begin February 18, 2005, with guest appearance by Sister Helen Prejean, who authored the book Robbins' film was based on, will also be signing copies of her new book, "Death of Innocents." Performances will last through February 27. Please visit http://www.luc.edu/theatre/dmw for a complete listing of all the events and more information. Founded in 1870, Loyola University Chicago is one of the nation's leading Jesuit universities with 4 campuses, nine schools and colleges and over 120,000 alumni located in all 50 states and 120 foreign countries. Loyola University Chicago endeavors to develop in the lives of students, faculty and staff the spirit of searching for truth and living for others, which characterized Ignatius of Loyola. Loyola University Chicago is Preparing People to Lead Extraordinary Lives. (source: Loyola University) MISSISSIPPI: Federal death-penalty trial opens----Slaying of couple occurred during drug deal, prosecution says James E. Frye Jr. participated in one of the most premeditated, calculating, coldest crimes ever, U.S. Attorney Dunn Lampton told a jury on Monday. Opening arguments in Frye's federal death-penalty trial began Monday in U.S. District Court in Jackson. It's only the 2nd federal death-penalty case in recent history in Mississippi. The 1st was Frye's co-defendant Billy Cooper in 2002. Cooper and Frye, both of Laurel, were charged in the 1999 slayings of Willie Earl Hatten, 26, and Lottie Marshall, Hatten's 19-year-old girlfriend. In 2002, Cooper was convicted of carjacking and murder and sentenced to life in prison. Frye, 45, is charged with conspiracy, the murder of Marshall during a carjacking, use of a gun in the commission of a violent crime and transporting a stolen vehicle. Frye "wasn't surprised about what happened; he was part of it," Lampton, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi, said in his opening statement. Frye's attorney, Cynthia Stewart of Jackson, argued her client should be found guilty only of conspiracy and stealing and disposing of Marshall's car. Hatten planned to buy two kilos of cocaine from Cooper and had brought more than $30,000 to pay for the drugs, according to Lampton. The problem was that Cooper never planned to provide any drugs, Lampton said. Instead, he was going to rob Hatten, who brought his girlfriend along to meet Cooper, the prosecutor said. Hatten and Marshall were shot to death and buried in the old Chevron Cotton Valley oil field in Jasper County, Lampton said. Hatten's head and hands were cut off. Marshall's hands also were cut off. Marshall's car was taken to Louisiana and set on fire, records indicate. Frye told authorities he was there but that it was Cooper who shot the victims and got a relative to mutilate the bodies. Lampton said Frye initially gave authorities a bogus story about what happened but later said Cooper called and said he needed him to go somewhere. He said Cooper told him he couldn't be squeamish because it would be brutal. Lampton called Frye's statements about his role a lie and said, "One of the biggest lies was that the grave was dug after the shooting." He said the graves were dug before the shooting. Dressed in khaki pants and a striped sweater with braids in his hair, Frye never changed his expression when Lampton described the brutality of the crime. At one point, a family member of Marshall placed her head in her hands and looked down as pictures were flashed on a courtroom monitor of the bodies being unearthed in August 1999. Defense attorney Stewart said Cooper was the leader and asked Frye to go along when Marshall and Hatten were killed. "He asked James Frye to go along and watch," Stewart said in her opening arguments. "There is no evidence he knew what was going to happen. He knew something bad, but not exactly what was going to happen." The trial continues today. (source: The Clarion-Kedger) VIRGINIA: Committee votes to expand death penalty A person who kills someone at the behest of a gang leader or to meet a requirement for gang membership would be eligible for the death penalty if legislation sent to the House of Delegates floor Monday becomes law. The Courts of Justice Committee endorsed Del. David Albo's bill on a unanimous voice vote. As expected, the panel also tabled bills to abolish the death penalty and to raise the capital punishment eligibility age from 16 to 18. Albo, R-Fairfax, said his bill provides "a very narrow addition" to the capital murder statute, which lists 11 factors that can lead to the death penalty. He said it makes no sense that a murder for hire qualifies for the death sentence but one committed as part of a gang ritual does not. "I find it to be almost more abhorrent to kill somebody who is just on his way to Home Depot or doing his daily chores and who has no contact with the killer," Albo said. The bill to abolish the death penalty for juvenile offenders was referred to the Virginia Crime Commission for a year of study. The Senate version of the bill met the same fate last week. Albo said Virginia legislators would be wise to await guidance from the U.S. Supreme Court, which is considering the constitutionality of the juvenile death penalty in a Missouri case. The committee also shelved what has become an annual bill by Del. Frank Hargrove to abolish capital punishment. Hargrove, R-Hanover and a former death penalty supporter, says he now believes the public is adequately protected by sentencing reforms that have resulted in much longer prison terms for the worst offenders. Albo's bill is H.B. 1800. On the Net: Track legislation at http://legis.state.va.us (source: Associated Press)
