On December 11, 1980, the Indianapolis Police Dept. made a pre-dawn raid on the home of Black community activists Ajamu Nassor (Gregory Resnover) and Ziyon Yisrayah (Tommie Smith). Everyone inside the house was asleep when the police kicked in the door and started firing and throwing tear gas. When the smoke had cleared, Yisrayah was wounded and police officer Sgt. Jack Ohrberg was dead.
It was determined at that time that Ohrberg had been shot in the back and that the bullet that killed him did not come from either of the guns within the house. Moreover, Ohrberg was facing Nassor and Yisrayah when he was shot. Only other police officers were behind him at the time.
Despite the above evidence, both Nassor and Yisrayah were charged, tried and found guilty of murder for the death of officer Ohrberg. On December 8, 1994, Ajamu Nassor was executed by the state of Indiana. 40,000 people had written the governor on his behalf.
Ziyon Yisrayah’s execution is set for this June 14th.
There are now over 3,000 people on Death Rows across the country. Over half of them are people of color. Few have the resources to hire competent attorneys and adequately defend themselves. And all of them were tried and convicted by a system that is thoroughly racist, sexist and operating only in the interests of the rich and powerful.
On May 28, members of the Indiana Parole Board will go to the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City and meet with Yisrayah. On June 3rd, a public clemency hearing will be held on his case in Indianapolis. On June 4, the state’s Parole Board will announce its decision whether or not to recommend clemency.
Although Indiana Gov. Evan Bayh has never granted clemency to any Death Row prisoner, Yisrayah’s supporters are urging an all-out effort to force a positive ruling. Please call, write or fax Gov. Bayh and demand clemency for Ziyon Yisrayah.
Contact: Gov. Evan Bayh, Office of the Governor, The State House, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Ph: (317) 232-4567; Fax: (317) 232-3443.)
In order to bring the maximum amount of pressure on the governor, please send copies of all correspondence to The Indianapolis Star, attn: Barbara Albert, PO Box 145, Indianapolis, IN 46206-0145. (Please note "cc: Indianapolis Star" on letters to the governor.)
For more information, contact: the Human Rights Coalition of Indiana, 54125 Maple Lane, South Bend, IN 46635.