Case Specific Information for Keith Dwayne Nelson:
"Keith Nelson was sentenced to death after a trial plagued by ineffective counsel that committed crucial errors and failed to conduct even the most basic investigation. Because of his counsel's deficient performance, the jury never heard key evidence about the significant trauma and extreme neglect Mr. Nelson experienced as child, including significant brain damage suffered as a newborn, repeated childhood sexual and physical abuse, and a multigenerational family history marked with severe mental illness. Mr. Nelson's death sentence is the result of a proceeding that denied him constitutionally guaranteed protections and reveals another deep flaw in the federal death penalty system."
- Dale Baich, attorney for Keith Nelson
- June 15, 2020
8th Circuit Opening Brief, which provides details on the mitigating evidence never heard by the jury at Mr. Nelson’s trial, is available here: https://tinyurl.com/y8kc3fgm
The Catholic Church teaches that the death penalty is unacceptable in all cases because it is "an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person" and calls us to “work for its abolition worldwide.” (Catholic Catechism 2267)
Current Status of the Federal Death Penalty:
On June 15, the U.S. Department of Justice scheduled three executions to take place over a five-day span beginning July 13. A fourth execution has been scheduled for the end of August. The legality of the federal government's execution protocol is still being contested.
The situation concerning the planned restart of federal executions is incredibly volatile and requires your continued vigilance. You can raise your voice in opposition to the resumption of federal executions and call on our government leaders to uphold a consistent ethic of life.
Take Action to Oppose the Restart in Federal Executions
