[Deathpenalty]death penalty news----USA/NORTH CAROLINA

[Rick Halperin]

June 2


USA/NORTH CAROLINA:

Press Conference----10 a.m. June 7, 2005
Community Room----Greensboro Police Station
300 S. Swing Road, Greensboro, N.C.


Death Row Inmates Give $5,000 College Scholarship to Future Police Officer

Death row inmates across the country have raised $5,000 to help the
brother of a murdered 4-year-old complete college and become a law
enforcement officer. Through their bimonthly publication, Compassion, the
inmates are helping Zach Osborne of Jamestown, N.C. pursue a criminal
justice degree at East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C.

"Despite our bad choices, we still believe in the concept of right and
wrong, and support what is right," said Compassions editor, Dennis
Skillicorn of Missouris death row.

In April 1992, when Zach was only 6, his mothers boyfriend raped and
killed Zachs younger sister, Natalie.

"Natalies death has haunted my family since the day she was found," Zach
wrote in his winning essay. "Through realizing this dream (of becoming a
law enforcement officer), I would play a key role in preventing situations
like this from ever happening again."

Greensboro Police Department will host a press conference at 10 a.m. June
7 in the Community Room of the police substation at 300 S. Spring Road
when Stephen Dear of People of Faith Against the Death Penalty presents
the scholarship on behalf of the death row inmates.

Death row inmates started Compassion in 2001 to raise money to send
murdered victims family members to college. The inmates donate their own
funds or submit artwork, essays and poems to the publication, which is
sold by subscription. This is their 7th scholarship, bringing the total
amount awarded thus far to $27,000.

Inmates were touched by Zachs story and his plans to help prevent similar
events in the future.

"We would like to support him in realizing his dream of becoming an
officer of the law and finding a way to prevent future violence,"
Skillicorn wrote in his May 2005 editorial. "Our intent is genuine."

Fred Moor of St. Rose Parish, Perrysburg, Ohio, who oversees publication
of Compassion, will coordinate presentation of the scholarship. Death row
prisoners have authorized St. Rose Parish to handle all money transactions
for their publication and scholarship fund. Inmates receive no
compensation or special treatment for their efforts.

Press Conference Contact: Lt. Brian James, Greensboro Police Department
Office: 336-433-7380

Compassion Contacts: Fred Moor: (419) 874-1333
Editor, Dennis Skillicorn----Potosi Correctional Center, Mineral Point,
Missouri; 573-438-6000