Story of Dwayne McKinney Undermines Rationale for Prop. 6
| By Elliott D. Petty - Oct 9, 2008 7:52:34 AM PT |
| Also listed in: Courage Campaign Staff |
The name Dwayne McKinney means nothing to most people, but his remarkable story represents all that is wrong with the Death Penalty and lock'em up-throw away the key policies such as Prop. 6, A.K.A. the Runner Initiative. In 2000, McKinney was released from prison after serving 19 years for a wrongful robbery-murder conviction. The former gang-banger leveraged much of his legal settlement into a multi-million dollar ATM business in Hawaii. If State Senator George Runner has his way, how many ex-cons will be prevented from turning their lives around into success stories like McKinney.
Though McKinney spent much of his time after his release speaking at anti-death penalty events, he will not have the opportunity to speak against Prop. 6, the Runner Initiative which supposedly targets members of gangs through increased incarceration time and dedicating billions toward new prisons.
McKinney died earlier this week in a traffic accident. In recent years, Hollywood was rumored to be courting him to turn his story into a feature film. At this point no one knows if a film will ever be produced, but one thing is for sure, Runner's draconian proposition is headed to a ballot near you.
It must be defeated because it could deny future opportunities to gang members who want to turn their lives around as McKinney did upon his release from prison after serving 19 years.
Sure, McKinney was wrongfully convicted but he was a gang member headed in the wrong direction. After surviving attempts on his life in prison, he found faith and mustered up the guts to let go of all his anger and did what was necessary to become a successful businessman and person.
When he was prosecuted, the District Attorney sought the death penalty. The jury deadlocked on the issued and his life was spared from condemnation that could have killed him before the truth about his innocence was revealed.
The LA Times has a great article about McKinney. I believe his life story represents why the Death Penalty is dangerous and why Prop. 6 will waste more taxpayer money without actually making us safer.
Though McKinney spent much of his time after his release speaking at anti-death penalty events, he will not have the opportunity to speak against Prop. 6, the Runner Initiative which supposedly targets members of gangs through increased incarceration time and dedicating billions toward new prisons.
McKinney died earlier this week in a traffic accident. In recent years, Hollywood was rumored to be courting him to turn his story into a feature film. At this point no one knows if a film will ever be produced, but one thing is for sure, Runner's draconian proposition is headed to a ballot near you.
It must be defeated because it could deny future opportunities to gang members who want to turn their lives around as McKinney did upon his release from prison after serving 19 years.
Sure, McKinney was wrongfully convicted but he was a gang member headed in the wrong direction. After surviving attempts on his life in prison, he found faith and mustered up the guts to let go of all his anger and did what was necessary to become a successful businessman and person.
When he was prosecuted, the District Attorney sought the death penalty. The jury deadlocked on the issued and his life was spared from condemnation that could have killed him before the truth about his innocence was revealed.
The LA Times has a great article about McKinney. I believe his life story represents why the Death Penalty is dangerous and why Prop. 6 will waste more taxpayer money without actually making us safer.
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He always had a kind word for everyone,TRUELY AN AWESOME HUMAN BEING. I WILL ALWAYS LOVE DEWAYNE, XOXOX DANA