Juvenile Death Penalty Kevin Stanford

October 31, 2002

The Honorable Paul Patton
Governor, State of Kentucky
700 Capitol Avenue
Suite 100
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601

Dear Governor Patton:

I am writing on behalf of the American Society for Adolescent Psychiatry. We represent psychiatrists who treat teenagers and young adults in the US., Mexico and Canada. We urge you to commute the death sentence of Kevin Stanford who was 17 at the time he committed a capital crime. We are not asking you to excuse Mr.
Stanford's crime, but instead to provide imprisonment because he was a juvenile rather than an adult at the time of his criminal act.

Because the death penalty is reserved for adults who are most culpable, scientific proof has come to light from many research centers in the United States which shows that boys at the age of 17 are not nearly adults, but instead have incomplete brain development which results in clear inability to manage impulses and think
ahead of consequences under stress. This renders them less culpable and different than adults. In effect, they are still growing children with brains that will not complete their development until ages 18-24. They are unable to perform adult functions such as containment of angry or violent impulses and consideration of the
implications of their actions during moments of anger or fear.

We believe you are aware that the Federal Government and twenty-seven States have taken this into account and prohibit the death sentence for people below the age of 18 when they committed crimes. Seven other States are considering similar legislation with Indiana being the most recent to adopt this legal standard.

I am prepared to discuss this proof with you personally should you or a representative wish to call or write. Thank you for taking this important information under consideration in your deliberation.

Sincerely yours,

Mark A. Wellek MD.
Past President
American Society for Adolescent Psychiatry