Nationally Syndicated Chicago Tribune Columnist Clarence Page To Keynote

As the death penalty continues to spark debate and discussion across the nation, the Center for Justice in Capital Cases (CJCC) at the DePaul University College of Law will sponsor a two-day symposium on March 6 and 7 that will examine the interplay among media, race and the death penalty.

The event, which is co-sponsored by DePaul’s Law Review, will bring together legal, human rights and media experts to discuss the impact of race and media coverage in cases where a defendant faces the death penalty. The short film “Juror Number Six,” which explores the effects of race on America’s death penalty system, also will be screened as part of the program. The event will begin at noon on March 6 and at 9 a.m. on March 7 at the DePaul Center, 1 E. Jackson Blvd., Room 8005.

“There is no question that in capital cases the justice system is heavily influenced by race and media coverage,” said Andrea Lyon, director of the CJCC. “This program will look to journalists, lawyers and human rights advocates to help sort out how race and media impact criminal proceedings, especially where the death penalty is being considered.”

Clarence Page, a nationally syndicated columnist for the Chicago Tribune and a member of the newspaper’s editorial board, will offer the program’s keynote address at 7 p.m., March 6 at the Union League Club, 65 W. Jackson Blvd. Page, who writes and speaks frequently on issues of race, has raised questions about the death penalty in light of several cases where DNA has ultimately determined that a defendant sentenced to die was innocent.

Other notable speakers for the program include:

o Stephen Bright—president of the Atlanta, Ga.-based Southern Center for Human Rights

o Renee Ferguson—reporter for NBC5 News in Chicago

o Paul Meincke— reporter for ABC7 News in Chicago

o The Honorable Nan Nolan—magistrate judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

o Charles Ogletree—law professor, Harvard Law School

o The Honorable R. Eugene Pincham—retired Illinois appellate court justice

o George White—director of the Center for Communications and Community at the University of California, Los Angeles

The program also will feature a special screening of “Juror Number Six,” at 10:45 a.m. on March 7. The film, which is directed and produced by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Rachel Lyon,” explores the effects of race on America’s death penalty system, also will be screened as part of the program.

It also explores the impact race and media coverage have on people as they step into the jury box in criminal trials, including capital cases. The screening will be followed by a discussion on media, race and crime that features views from reporters, attorneys and community advocates.

The cost of the symposium is $25. The cost of the dinner, featuring Page is $75. Call Shay-Ann Heiser Singh at 312-351-0668 for more details or visit http://www.law.depaul.edu/lawreview/ to reserve a space.

Founded in 2000 by the DePaul University College of Law, the CJCC is a training resource for attorneys representing defendants facing death. It also offers students hands-on training in death penalty defense.

Note to Editors: Reporters wishing to cover this event should contact Valerie Phillips, DePaul at 312/362-5039 or 312/330-3155.