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		OU GLBTF issues statement on Wanda Jean Allenxxxxxxxx

The following is a press release from the OU GLBTF
(Posted 12-12-00)

University of Oklahoma GLBTF (Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgendered and Friends)
PRESS RELEASE

12-11-00.......................For Immediate Release

Contact:
Kent Doss – University of Oklahoma GLBTF - Political Coordinator
405-325-4452 of.
405-906-5368 pg.
kdog@ionet.net
www.ou.edu/student/glba
900 Asp, OMU, Rm. 363, Box 169, Norman OK 37019-4058

Hector Vargas, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force - State Legislative Lawyer
hvargas@ngltf.org
202-332-6483 ext. 3233
www.ngltf.org
1700 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC
_______________________________________________________________________

"The University of Oklahoma Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered and Friends (GLBTF) urges Governor Keating to grant clemency to Wanda Jean Allen," said Amanda Bowles, co-chair of University of Oklahoma GLBTF. "We oppose the unfair enforcement of the death penalty against persons of color and gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons as well as other marginalized groups. We believe that Allen was convicted based on biased evidence and stereotypical views of lesbians.”

Wanda Jean Allen is scheduled to be executed in Oklahoma on January 11, 2001. She was sentenced to death in 1989 for killing her lover, Gloria Leathers in Oklahoma City in 1988. Her clemency hearing before the state Pardon and Parole Board is due to take place on December 15th.

After two years of being involved in a violent relationship, Allen, an African-American lesbian, admitted to shooting her partner, Gloria Leathers. Concerned citizens and progressive organizations are calling upon Gov. Keating to grant clemency to Allen both because of their opposition to the death penalty and because of questions that have been raised regarding whether Allen received a fair trial.

The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board, which makes recommendations concerning clemency to Gov. Frank Keating, is scheduled to hear Allen’s request for clemency on Dec. 15. If granted clemency, Allen would serve a life sentence in the Oklahoma State prison system.

One of the prosecutor’s main tactics during the trial was to rely on negative stereotypes of lesbians and convince the jury that Wanda Jean was dominant and intimidated Leathers. This sort of bias portrays lesbians as more dangerous than a heterosexual woman accused of the same crime.

Also Allen’s attorney failed to investigate fully Allen’s background showing that she has an IQ of 80 and has neurological problems that cause her to lose control in stressful situations – factors that were not introduced into court.

"The unfair trial of Wanda Jean Allen is a gross injustice that reflects the worst aspects of our criminal justice system. Her case has been tainted by, homophobia and classism through her inability to access capably representation” said Kent Doss, Political Coordinator of GLBTF. “Wanda Jean's apparent unequal access to a fair trial in Oklahoma must be taken into account when we consider the proliferation of the death penalty in our state.”

Her defense attorney, Mr. Carpenter, who had never tried a capital murder case asked the judge to allow him to withdraw when he learned that the family could not pay the $4,200 balance that would have allowed him to have the resources to pay for an investigator, experts, etc. The prosecution opposed his motion and the court refused to allow him to withdraw. He was therefore forced to defend Wanda on a total payment of $800 with no co-counsel, no previous experience in capital cases, no investigator, and no resources to hire expert witnesses.

On Dec. 1, 2000 several national and local progressive gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) groups called on Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating to grant clemency to Wanda Jean Allen. These groups include: University of Oklahoma Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Friends, The Oklahoma Lambda Intercollegiate Coalition, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, ACLU Lesbian and Gay Rights Project, Gay Men of African Descent, International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs/ New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violent Project, and the National Youth Advocacy Coalition.

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