Law School Students Sponsor Death Penalty Discussion

November 18, 2003

Capital University Law School students and faculty packed a campus auditorium recently to hear a death penalty panel discussion sponsored by the Law School’s Moot Court Board and Black Law Students Association (BLSA).

The panel included Tara Berrien, Assistant Attorney General, Capital Crimes; Joe Bodine, Ohio State Public Defender's Office and Capital University Law School adjunct professor; Jimmy Lowe, Franklin County Prosecutor's Office; and Defense Attorney Larry Thomas. Capital University Professor Susan Rozelle moderated the discussions.

The speakers discussed three controversial issues surrounding the death penalty debate: the use of victim impact evidence during the sentencing phase of a capital trial; racial disparities in capital punishment; and the Atkins ruling which prohibits the execution of the mentally retarded.

Sometimes stating unexpected viewpoints, the diverse panel members brought differing perspectives to these issues. Additionally, the panel covered how specific cases, the crime rate and community demographics affect death penalty cases.

Following the discussions, the panel members took questions from the audience. Students posed questions on topics ranging from a comparison between the Atkins ruling and an insanity defense, the affect of the media on death penalty trials and the racial disparity on death row.

[ Event Photo Gallery ]