Capital Law School Symposium Addresses Role of Clemency in American Justice System

April 5, 2002

Columbus, Ohio - Capital University Law School will host a symposium titled "Forgiveness and the Law: Executive Clemency and the American System of Justice." The symposium will take place on Wednesday, April 10, 2002, from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. in Room 242 of the Law School. The symposium is free and open to the public.

The symposium will explore the proper role of clemency in the American system of justice, addressing questions such as:

. What are the philosophical justifications and assumptions underlying the exercise of clemency?

. Is forgiveness a proper goal of clemency, and if so, may someone other than the victim of an offense forgive?

. How can the administration of clemency be improved to assure that the goals society desires to achieve through clemency are realized?

. Do political constraints on the exercise of the power assure accountability in its exercise, or distort its use?

. What role should the press play in monitoring or influencing the exercise of clemency by public officials?

These and other questions will be examined by a distinguished panel of experts that includes:

. Richard F. Celeste, former Governor of Ohio who exercised his constitutional authority to grant clemency on numerous occasions, most notably in 1990 when he commuted the death sentences of eight individuals;

. Peter Digeser, professor of political science at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the author of Political Forgiveness, which explores the concept of forgiveness in politics;

. Margaret Colgate Love, a former U.S. Pardon Attorney under Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton;

. George Lardner, an investigative reporter for the Washington Post who is currently working on a book about the history and uses of the presidential pardon power;

. Elizabeth Rapaport, professor of law at the University of New Mexico and a scholar in the area of executive clemency decision-making;

. Mark Strasser, professor of law at Capital University and a national scholar on constitutional law issues; and

. Sharon J. Zealey, a former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio.

Capital University Law Professor Daniel T. Kobil, a national expert on the topic of clemency, is responsible for organizing the symposium. Last year, Professor Kobil was invited by the U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution to testify on the presidential clemency power. He also has testified as an expert witness before the Arizona Board of Executive Clemency on behalf of a death row prisoner. He has written numerous articles and op-ed columns on the topic and has been quoted in newspaper coverage of clemency cases across the nation, including stories in USA Today, The Los Angeles Times and the New York Times.

For more information or to register to attend this free symposium, visit the symposium Web Site, or call (614) 236-6377. This symposium has been approved for 5.5 continuing legal education credits.

and Humanitarian Assistance in Hawaii.

An opening reception for attendees and invited guests will be held at the Athletic Club of Columbus, 136 E. Broad St., on Tuesday, June 25, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

For more information, please contact Mark Cooper at Capital University,
(614) 236-6931, or Jim Richardson at Capital University Law School, at (614) 236-6601.

(Note to assignment editors: All general sessions are open to the media.)

2002 International Humanitarian Law Conference
The Center of Excellence for Disaster Management & Humanitarian Assistance
United States Air Force Judge Advocate General Department
Capital University Law School

SYMPOSIUM PROGRAM

Tuesday, June 25, 2002
Opening reception sponsored by Taft, Stettinius and Hollister
5:30-7:30 p.m. at The Athletic Club of Columbus
136 E. Broad St.
(Reporters are welcome to attend.)

Wednesday, June 26, 2002

8:30 - 8:40 a.m. Welcome and Introductions
Steven C. Bahls, dean
Capital University Law School
Col. William G. Alexander
Course Director

8:40 - 8:45 a.m. Introduction of Keynote Speaker
Col. William G. Alexander

8:45 - 9:45 a.m. KEYNOTE ADDRESS
LEN HAWLEY
Former deputy assistant secretary of State,
Bureau of International Organizations;
Former deputy assistant secretary of Defense for Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance.

Topic: "The Political Framework of Peacekeeping"

9:45 - 10:20 a.m. Panel Discussion in General Session
Len Hawley
Frank Jones
John Otte

10:20 - 10:40 a.m. BREAK

10:40 - 11:40 a.m. The Complex Emergency Environment and Intervention Issues
John Otte

11:40 - Noon Panel Discussion in General Session
Len Hawley
Frank Jones
John Otte
Tom Ditzler

Noon - 1:30 p.m. LUNCH

1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Legal Issues in the Complex Emergency Environment
Col. Bill Alexander

2:30 - 3:15 p.m. The Role of United Nations Military Observers
Roy Thomas

3:15 - 3:30 p.m. BREAK

3:30 - 4:30 p.m. The United Nations in Complex Emergencies
John Otte

4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Seminar - General Session
Building the Operational Mandate "What is the Mandate?"
"Who are the players?"
"What are the timelines for deployment?"

Thursday, June 27, 2002

8:30 - 9:30 a.m. War Crimes and the International Criminal Tribunal of Rwanda
Lt. Col. Patricia Wildermuth

9:30 - 10 a.m. Panel Response to War Crimes
Tom Ditzler
John Otte
Darrell Phillips

10 - 10:15 a.m. BREAK

10:15 - 11 a.m. Legal Issues of Detainees and the International Criminal Court
Lt. Col. Elizabeth Kelly

11 - Noon SEMINAR
War Crimes & Other Human Rights Issues

Noon - 1:30 p.m. LUNCH

1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Military Rules of Engagement in Peacekeeping
Darrell Phillips

2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Non-Lethal Weapons
Col. Lou Michels

3:30 - 3:45 p.m. BREAK

3:45 - 4:15 p.m. Practical Applications of Rules of Engagement and the Law of War in Peacekeeping Operations
Capt. Sudhir Mahara

4:15 - 5:15 p.m. SEMINAR
The Rules of Engagement

5:15 - 5:30 p.m. Panel Conclusions in General Session

Friday, June 28, 2002

8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Fiscal Law in Peacekeeping Operations
Major Mike Guillory

9:30 - 10:10 a.m. Legal Issues for the Humanitarian Relief Operations Commander

10:10 - 10:30 a.m. BREAK

10:30 -11:30 a.m. Support to Civilians in Humanitarian Relief Operations
Darrell Phillips

11:30 -Noon Response to Presentation
Melinda Hofstetter
Darrell Phillips
Tom Ditzler

Noon - 1:30 p.m. LUNCH

1:30 - 2:20 p.m. Cross Cultural Communications
Dr. Tom Ditzler

2:20 - 3:10 p.m. Humanitarian Coordination
Major (ret.) Melinda Hofstetter

3:10 - 3:30 p.m. BREAK

3:30 - 4 p.m. Response to Presentations

4 - 5 p.m. SEMINAR
Non Governmental Organization/
International Organizations Coordination

Saturday, June 29, 2002

8:30 - 9:20 a.m. Legal Aspects of Terrorism
Major David Charitat

9:20 - 10:10 a.m. "The Mind of Terrorists"
Dr. Tom Ditzler

10:10 - 10:30 a.m. BREAK

10:30 - 11 a.m. Terrorism Response in Hawaii
Col. Ray Starling

11 a.m. - Noon SEMINAR ON TERRORISM

Noon - 1:30 p.m. LUNCH

1:30 - 1:40 p.m. Introduction of Keynote Speaker
Col. Frank Titus

1:40 - 2:40 p.m. FRANK JONES
Professor of Defense Policy, US Army War College;
Former deputy asst. sec. of Defense for Special Operations Policy and Support

Topic: "Learning the Right Lessons"

2:40 - 3:30 p.m. DISCUSSION PANEL
Frank Jones
Len Hawley
John Otte

3:30 - 3:45 p.m. BREAK

3:45 - 4:45 p.m. The Law & the Future of Peacekeeping
John Otte

4:45 - 5 p.m. Administrative Wrap-up
Col. William G. Alexander

FACULTY & SEMINAR LEADERS
Len Hawley, former deputy assistant secretary of State
Frank Jones, former deputy assistant secretary of Defense
John Otte, Center of Excellence for Disaster Management & Humanitarian Assistance
Darrell Phillips, director of International Law, USAF Judge Advocate General School
Dr. Tom Ditzler, Center of Excellence for Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance
Col. William G. Alexander, N.C. Air National Guard
Roy Thomas, former U.N./Missions Office, chief of Mission
Lt. Col. Patricia Wildermuth, USAF Reserve, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda
Col. Lou Michels, USAF Rerserve, Air Force Judge Advocate General School
Melinda Hofstetter, Center of Excellence for Disaster Management & Humanitarian Assistance
Col. Ray Starling, Hawaii Air National Guard, Air National Guard asst. to Pacific Air Forces
Lt. Col. Elizabeth Kelly, USAF/JAI
Capt. Sudhir Mahara, Royal Nepalese Army
Major David Charitat, USAF Special Operations School
Major Mike Guillory, USAF Reserve, USAF Judge Advocate General School
Col. Frank A. Titus, Ohio Air National Guard
Col. Frank Pedrotti, Virginia Air National Guard
Lt. Col. Timothy Mullen, Massachusetts Air National Guard
Lt. Col. Cassie Strom, Missouri Air National Guard
Lt. Col Charles Tucker, Wisconsin Air National Guard
Lt. Col. Cindi Ryan, Arizona Air National Guard
Major Kimberly Fergan, Air Force Reserve