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CLIENT: The Family of David Ronald Chandler |
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David Ronald Chandler was the first person sentenced to death in a federal case since the reinstatement of the federal death penalty in 1976. Chandler's case raised substantial doubt as to his guilt due to recanting of testimony upon which the case depended, powerful claims of innocence, and ineffective trial counsel. |
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GOALS |
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- Publicize the details of the Chandler case.
- Work to commute Chandler's death sentence.
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ACTIONS |
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- Used Riptide's knowledge of legal issues in death penalty cases to emphasize both the strength of Chandler's innocence claim and the poor quality of his defense at trial.
- Prepared press materials, including statements from the family, media lists, and press releases.
- Recommended that Chandler's attorneys file a clemency petition with President Clinton, even though he had a simultaneous appeal pending before the Supreme Court.
- Contacted 60 Minutes, which had profiled Chandler's case many years earlier. Mike Wallace later contacted the White House Press office to inquire about Chandler's petition.
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RESULTS |
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- Riptide's media placement ranged from the Washington Post to National Public Radio.
- On January 20, 2001, President Bill Clinton commuted David Ronald Chandler's death sentence.
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