Illinois Governor Commutes All Death Row Sentences

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On Saturday, just 48 hours before his term ended, Illinois- outgoing Governor George Ryan commuted the death sentences of all of his state-s 167 inmates. The 163 men and four women, convicted of 250 murders, will now serve life terms or, in some cases, 40 years in prison. The act is being called the most significant act of its kind since 1972, when the US Supreme Court struck down death penalties nationwide. Many prosecutors and most victims- rights groups are outraged, but abolitionists and reformers are encouraged, hoping the moratoriums will spread. We look at the consequences for Illinois and for the rest of the country with members of the Illinois State Attorney-s Office, the American Bar Association, the victims- rights group Justice for All, and the Innocence Project.
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Nonproliferation Treaty

State Department-s Bureau of East Asian Affairs

US-NK 1994 Agreed Framework

State of Illinois

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Warren Olney