Save the life of Darwin Brown, sentenced to death in Oklahoma

We, the undersigned, are begging the Board of Paroles and Pardons for a recommendation to the governor to grant clemency to Darwin Demond Brown #253427, who is scheduled to be executed on 22th of January 2009.

In 1997 Darwin Demond Brown received a death sentence for being co-responsible for the killing of Richard Kevin Yost during the robbery of a convenience store.
We express our sympathy for Mr. Yost and his family and were not seeking to excuse the manner of Mr. Yosts death or to downplay the suffering caused in any way.

Darwin and his co-defendants were young, black, indigent males and the store clerk was white. All defendants received the death penalty except one who was a juvenile (the actual killer) who received life without possibility of parole. The Oklahoma state court used a controversial dual jury in the guilt and penalty phase of the trial. The use of this dual jury in a capital case is the first in Oklahomas legal history and it raises deep concern whether this has given Darwin a fair trial? The case was appealed, but the State Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit upheld the dual trial procedure and convictions.

Darwin Demond Brown didnt have a police record before he committed the crime he was convicted for. He is a model inmate and hasnt been in any trouble since his arrest. He has shown great remorse and has revealed to his family and friends in many ways that he does respect and value life.
We strongly believe Darwin Demond Brown is fully aware of the mistake he made. All the years he has spent on Death Row have given him ample time to think deeply and consider at great length everything that has happened. He should be given the opportunity to show that he has changed and that he deeply regrets the sorrow he has brought upon the family of Mr. Yost.

The death of Richard Yost remains an unthinkable tragedy. At the same time, a state-sanctioned killing is not the solution. It has been shown that the death penalty does not deter crime, rather it brutalizes society by legitimizing violence. Death is irrevocable and there are vast discrepancies in the way the death penalty is pronounced. Moreover, capital punishment is inconsistent with a professed concern for human rights, the right to life, the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment and the dignity of human life.


Therefore, we appeal to you for a recommendation to the governor to grant clemency to Darwin Demond Brown and commute his sentence of death.