Region’s bishops urge Trump to stop planned federal execution of Maryland man

The prelates of the Maryland Catholic Conference have written to President Donald Trump, urging him to not move forward with the planned federal execution of a Maryland man next month.

“The death penalty does not create a path to justice. Rather, it contributes to the growing disrespect for human life and perpetuates a cycle of violence in our society,” the bishops wrote to Trump Dec. 22.

The bishops – representing the archdioceses of Baltimore and Washington and the diocese of Wilmington Del. – also reached out to Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, asking for his help to stop the federal execution. The state of Maryland abolished the death penalty in 2013.

“While we recognize that your powers as governor of Maryland do not extend to federal death penalty cases, we urge you to intervene with the Trump administration to ask that this execution be stopped,” the bishops, including Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori, wrote.

The U.S. Justice Department plans Jan. 15 to execute Dustin Higgs, a Prince George’s County man who was convicted in the deaths of three women. Higgs and his co-defendant, Willis Haynes, were convicted of federal crimes because the women were killed in 1996 on federal land owned by the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center along Route 197.

Haynes, who was the triggerman, received a life sentence without parole. 

Trump and the U.S. Justice Department, led by U.S. Attorney General William Barr, resumed federal executions after a 17-year moratorium in the waning months of the administration. Ten people have already been executed and three more people, including Higgs, are scheduled to die in the coming weeks.

Higgs is being held in the federal penitentiary in Terre Haute, Ind., which is experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19 among the prisoners and the staff. According to the New York Times, Higgs is among those infected. His lawyer is arguing that his execution should be withdrawn.

Any delay would likely mean a reprieve for Higgs. The administration of President-elect Joe Biden, which starts Jan. 20, is not likely to pursue Higgs’ execution. Biden campaigned on restoring the death penalty moratorium in favor of life sentences.

The Catholic Mobilizing Network will hold a virtual prayer vigil Jan. 15 for Higgs. Archbishop Lori will deliver the introductory remarks.

The bishops acknowledged the brutality of the crime and the pain experienced by the families of the victims: Tamika Black, Mishann Chinn and Tanji Jackson. 

“We grieve for the victims of violent crime and murder. We recognize the terrible suffering of their families and pray that God will provide them peace and healing,” they wrote.

The letter was also signed by Baltimore’s auxiliaries: Bishops: Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R.; Denis J. Madden; and Adam J. Parker.

Email Tim Swift at tswift@catholicreview.org

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