Journalism students and professors from Northwestern University helped expose his innocence, and Porter was freed two days short of his execution date.
"The charges against him were wrong, and he spent 17 years on death row in terrible conditions when he was innocent," Ryan said.
A Nov. 1999 Chicago Tribune report of 300 capital punishment cases also influenced Ryan's decision. He was appalled that all white juries had convicted 35 African-American death row inmates and lawyers whose licenses were revoked represented 33 death row inmates.
Ryan's decision, especially in light of his former advocacy for capital punishment, has elicited a nation-wide response.
"My decision on the death penalty is having more of an impact than I ever imagined...I didn't believe people cared so much," he said.
Ryan admitted he had moved to the political center and away from the Republican right since he was elected as governor.
"I've picked up groups I never thought I would, like the Gay and Lesbians Against the Death Penalty. These weren't my kinds of groups before, but they're giving me awards now. I think I've ruined my conservative base!" he exclaimed.
Read more in News
Schor To Leave Harvard For B.C.Recommended Articles
-
A Welcome Halt to ExecutionsIn a welcome but somewhat belated act of conscience, Illinois Gov. George Ryan announced a moratorium Jan. 31 on executions
-
Top Lawyer Ryan Quits Counsel Post for HBSIn a surprise career move he described as merely a "bureaucratic shuffle," Allan A. Ryan, Jr. announced last week his
-
Core Comittee Approves New CoursesThe Core Committee approved two new courses for the Core program at a recent meeting, and also approved one course
-
Women and SongThe lights dim for the beginning of the April 19 Harvard-Radcliffe Dance Company recital. Three women walk barefoot into the
-
Mather Says Syracuse Priest Used Undemocratic, 'Molotov Methods'In a sharp reply to Syracuse University's Catholic chaplain, Kirtley F. Mather, professor of Geology, said yesterday that the priest
-
Harvard Alum's New Novel Takes on Death Penalty“Dear Judge, I am on DEATH ROW for a CriME I never CoMmitted. They Say I have had all my
