September 29, 2003

Boise State University Hosts Panel On Capital Punishment Oct. 7

The public is invited to a free panel discussion on “Justice in the Balance: Consequences of Capital Punishment in Idaho” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, in the Boise State University Student Union Hatch Ballroom. The event is sponsored by the College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs at Boise State, the American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho and Catholic Charities and Catholic Church of Idaho. Moderated by Al Bronstein, former director of the ACLU National Prison Project, discussion will focus on the current state of capital punishment in Idaho. Recent court rulings have called into question capital sentencing, the execution of juveniles and the mentally retarded and the competence of some public defense attorneys. The evidence used to gain conviction has also come under renewed scrutiny with the emergence of DNA testing and recent concerns over crime lab mix-ups and cover-ups. Panelists include Idaho Sen. Mike Burkett, District 19; Michael Blankenship, dean of the College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs; Todd Lochner, Boise State professor of political science; Kevin Richert, editorial page editor at The Idaho Statesman; William L. Mauk, Boise defense attorney; and Mia Crosthwaite, legislative liaison for the Catholic Church of Idaho. For more information, call 344-5243. -30- Contact Michael Blankenship College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs 208 426-3776 Media Contact Kathleen Craven communications and marketing 208 426-3275