There is some pride in announcing that the New York
Capital Defenders Office has gone
out of business. Now that the Court of Appeals has decided
People v. Taylor, following the death penalty statute’s having been declared unconstitutional in 2004, its work it done.
The state of criminal law in New York is hardly perfect. Far from perfect, in fact. Very, very far. But we got one thing right. We no longer have a death penalty. Compare that to Texas, where they put people to death with such regularity that it barely makes a ripple in a judicial day’s work. There is a line that the courts of New York will not cross, and this is it.
As the Capital Defenders wind down operations, there is one person whose name is largely unknown but to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude. He is the Executive Director of the office, Kevin M. Doyle.
When government puts its collective minds together to come up with a solution, the result is rarely a good one. At best, we hope for mediocrity (right, Brownie?). At worst, we await news of the scandal or task force to figure out why it failed so miserably. With the Capital Defenders, they finally nail it. Kevin Doyle’s work has been superb. In fact, I can’t imagine anyone doing a better job than Kevin.
Under Kevin’s command, not on human being was executed in the State of New York. Because of Kevin’s efforts, most prosecutors were persuaded not to pursue death as the punishment. Kevin’s leadership resulted in the statute being held unconstitutional, and Kevin is ultimately responsible for the best news of all, that there is no longer a need in the State of New York for an Office of the Capital Defender. It is a tribute to Kevin Doyle.
Rarely does a void become a monument to the skill, dedication and success of a person. And I’m sure that Kevin would be the first to argue that this was a group effort by Kevin and the staff of attorneys he put together to fight the good fight, and I have no doubt that’s true. Still, there is one person in charge, who will bear the consequences of failure, and should enjoy the appreciation of success. Kevin has earned our appreciation.
Thank you, Kevin M. Doyle, for a job so very well done. New York is a better place for your efforts.
