Letters to the Editor Irreversible To the Editor: Two weeks ago the state of Illinois imposed a moratorium on the death penalty. After 13 people were released after being found innocent, the people of Illinois decided that continuing executions presented too great a risk. After the Illinois governor announced the moratorium, President Clinton revealed that he was considering a federal moratorium. At least five other states are considering similar actions. In Tennessee, however, we are about to begin executions again after 40 years. Is it possible that Tennessee could make the mistake of executing an innocent person? Certainly; in fact, we’re about to. The state of Tennessee is planning to execute Phillip Workman on April 6th despite the surfacing of new evidence that points to his innocence. Ballistics evidence shows that the bullet that killed the officer (Workman was convicted of killing an officer during a robbery) could not have come from his gun. Instead, it was shown to have come from the gun of another officer present on the scene. The only witness has recanted his testimony. He did not see Workman shoot the officer! A number of the original jurors have stated that had they known of this new evidence they would not have convicted Workman. The daughter of the slain officer is urging Governor Sundquist to grant clemency to Workman so the evidence can be examined. Amnesty International, The Center for Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University, along with other human rights and religious groups are urging Governor Sundquist to grant Phillip Workman clemency and allow him a new trial. The Governor is ignoring these requests. Along with thousands of concerned citizens, I urge Governor Sundquist to stop the execution of Phillip Workman. The death penalty is irreversible. Lee Ragsdale Memphis Hire Johnny To the Editor: Re: “Someone to Blame,” (Sports, February 17th issue): You can only blame the players. I think Coach Jones is in the same spot that Memphis was in with the Oilers. “Hold our team until we replace you.” He is doing a good job with what he has to work with. A “big-name coach” is not what Memphis basketball needs. They need someone who the city coaches and players will respect. We all know that the real reason Tic Price left was because he lost his best player two years in a row, speaking of Detric Golden and Jimmie Hunter, both of whom will be player of the year for their conferences. Hunter will be the NAIA’s player of the year. What do we do now? Well, here is my suggestion: Hire Coach Jones and stand behind him. He has already signed two of the top players in the city. Give his team time to gel and work under his administration and watch them make a run for the tournament next year. Kelly Wise will be a player of the year nominee before his senior year. With some consistency, Marcus Moody will make the best one-two punch in the conference. Courtney Trask, a freshman, is only going to get better. While Earl Barron will become a huge threat with some time in the new weight room. … No matter who the coach is, Memphis basketball will be a lot better next year and will be well on its way back to greatness. If you look around, a lot of big-time schools are struggling this year, including Arkansas, which Memphis beat, North Carolina, and even UCLA. I am a season ticket holder and I am excited about my future Tigers and hope that Coach Jones gets the job. Steven T. McKinney Memphis One Mistake To the Editor: I am writing this letter to voice my opinion on the Pat VanderSchaaf situation. I am not defending what she did. It was definitely wrong. The court has punished her, and I feel she should be left alone and be allowed to continue her work on the city council. There are others who have done worse — such as aggravated assault, DUI, and domestic abuse. In the years she has served on the council, her name has not been tarnished. I was shocked at the number of people who were screaming at this woman as if she had committed a major felony. It was one mistake! Jeannie Hopper Memphis Shorter Legislative Sessions Could Save Taxes To the Editor: Someone tell State Senator Robert Rochelle of Lebanon, a free-spending Democrat, and Governor Don Sundquist that they could have saved the Tennessee taxpayers $30,000 per legislative day during the Tennessee special session last fall. (City Reporter, February 17th issue). Maybe our state lawmakers can save the taxpayers more this year with a much shorter session or no session at all. There are hundreds of ways and means to avoid any type of tax increase (tax reform), but too many of our Democrats and Republicans in the General Assembly refuse to give up the perks for their own districts. There are too many John Fords feeding off the public till. Charles S. Peete Jr. Memphis The Memphis Flyer encourages reader response. Send mail to: Letters to the Editor, POB 687, Memphis, TN 38101. Or call Back Talk at 575-9405. Or send us e-mail at letters@memphisflyer.com. All responses must include name, address, and daytime phone number. Letters should be no longer than 250 words.