Marion Wilson

Clemency Denied for Marion Wilson

The State of Georgia has scheduled the execution of Marion Wilson for June 20th, 2019 at 7 PM. If carried out, this would be the second person executed h in Georgia this year. On Thursday, June 20th, the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles denied Mr. Wilson’s petition for clemency. If you are able, please consider joining Georgians of all faiths at one of the vigil sites listed below. Regardless, please keep the friends and family of Mr. Wilson and Donovan Corey Parks, the victim, in your prayers.

Vigil sites for Marion Wilson

Americus
7 pm, 1324 GA Hwy 49 South
Contact: Elizabeth Dede – (229)-591-0114

Athens
6:30 pm, UGA Arch on E. Broad St.
Contact: Robbie Buller (706)-338-4572

Atlanta
6:30 pm, State Capitol, 206 Washington St.
Contact: Peggy Hendrix 404-771-8940

Augusta
6:30 pm, Augusta Judicial Center, 735 James Brown Blvd
Contact: Ayman Fadal 706-284-3002

Clarkesville
6:30 PM, Clarkesville Courthouse near the gazebo
226 Grant St, Clarkesville, GA 30523
Contact: Anne Hall 706-754-7011

Columbus
6 pm, Columbus Consolidated Government Center
100 10th St. Columbus, GA 31901
Contact: Edward Dubose 706-464-8539

Decatur
6:30 pm, Old Courthouse on the Square (Ponce side)
Contact: Andrew Johnson ahjohnson113@gmail.com

Jackson
6:30 pm, Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison
Contact: Mary Catherine Johnson 404-273-0621

Johns Creek
6:30 pm, St. Brigid Catholic Church
3400 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek, GA 30022
Contact: Cathy Schneider 502-592-9123

Macon
6:30 pm, Macon City Hall
700 Poplar St. Macon, GA 31201
Contact: Suzanne Hobby-Shippen 478-207-7065

Marietta
6:30 PM, Cobb County Courthouse (Cherokee St./Roswell St.)
Contact: Eileen Perkins 678-628-5082

Savannah
5 pm, City Hall at Bay St. and Bull St.
Contact: Sister Jackie Griffith 912-484-8378

New Hampshire Abolishes Capital Punishment

The New Hampshire State Senate voted to override the governor’s veto of a death penalty repeal bill today. This allows the repeal to become law and makes New Hampshire the 21st state to abolish capital punishment in the United States. We join the people of New Hampshire in celebrating this victory for the dignity of all human life.

Scotty Morrow

Scotty Morrow Executed

Speaking words of contrition, Scotty Morrow became the first Georgian to be executed this year on Thursday May, 2nd. Scotty had been sentenced to die for the murders of Barbara Young and Tonya Woods in 1994. Mr. Morrow expressed remorse, and apologized to the Young and Woods family as his final act.

We are grateful for all who prayed for Scotty, his family and friends, and the family and friends of Barbara Young and Tonya Woods. Many Catholics also participated at various prayer vigils held Thursday night around the state.

Please continue to pray that our state will uphold the value and dignity of all human life, even for those guilty of violent crimes.

Scotty Morrow

May 2nd Execution Date for Scotty Morrow

An execution date of May 2nd has been set for Scotty Morrow. This would be the first execution of the year. Georgia last executed someone on May 4th, 2018. We will send more updates and action items as we learn more. Please keep Mr. Morrow, his family and friends, and the family and friends of Barbara Ann Young and Tonya Woods, the victims, in your prayers.

Legal

House Bill 702 Introduced to Repeal the Death Penalty

On Thursday, March 28th, a bipartisan group of representatives introduced House Bill 702 which, if enacted, would abolish the death penalty in Georgia. The bill will not get a hearing this year, but will be considered in the next legislative session. The bill was introduced by Representative Brett Harrell and co-sponsored by Representatives Bob Trammell, William Boddie, Scott Holcomb, Bill Werkheiser, and Scot Turner.

We will provide regular updates and action items as we learn more about this bill.