Mike Linn
Montgomery Advertiser
July 29, 2005

MONTGOMERY -- A statewide survey of 863 registered and likely Alabama voters shows that ,while 71 percent support the death penalty, only 47 percent believe the death penalty is applied fairly in Alabama. Eighty percent believe an innocent person may be convicted and executed.

The survey was conducted by Montgomery-based Capital Survey Research Center.

According to the survey, there is overwhelming support (96 percent) for the use of DNA testing and 57 percent support for suspension of the death penalty until questions about the fairness and accuracy of the death penalty have been studied and confirmed.

Also, 88 percent of respondents said they would be more likely to vote for candidates who support DNA testing and 62 percent would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supports a suspension of the death penalty until questions about the use of DNA testing have been answered.

The survey was conducted from July 12-21, 2005, and has a +/- 3.5 percent sample margin of error.

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