The current edition of the Louisville Eccentric Observer is themed the 2012 People Issue. One of those profiled is, "The Rev. Patrick Delahanty: The Abolitionist." It's written by Joe Sonka. Here'a the beginning:
If you’ve ever walked through the bustling halls of the capitol annex in Frankfort during a session of Kentucky’s General Assembly over the past three decades, there’s a good chance you’ve run into the Rev. Pat Delahanty.
One of the founders of the Kentucky Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty 24 years ago, Delahanty is a tireless advocate for reforming the state’s capital punishment system. He balances his time building a grassroots network across the commonwealth and giving state legislators information about how our justice system isn’t working.
Last year, his work was bolstered by an American Bar Association report that found such deep flaws in Kentucky’s system that they recommended suspending the death penalty here.
“Even if you support the death penalty, you probably don’t support the one we have,” Delahanty says. “So knowing what we have now gives us more information to go out and show people what they’re supporting.”
The Catholic priest, who lives in Old Louisville, is already gearing up for next year’s General Assembly, and from his recent discussions with legislators, he senses momentum is on their side.
“I think Kentucky could be the first state in the South (to abolish the death penalty),” he says. “It won’t be 2013 — the short session is not enough time, and we’re not at that point yet — but we’re getting close to it. 2014 is possible, 2015 is more likely.”
Earlier coverage from Kentucky begins at the link.
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