Violence victims and families of offenders join March 15 forum

The brother of the so-called "Unabomber," one of the Unabomber's victims, the father of an Oklahoma City bombing victim, and a man whose brother was executed in California will unite in a New Yorkers Against the Death Penalty program at Cornell Law School Wednesday, March 12.

The program, sponsored by the Cornell Death Penalty Project, is titled, "Justice Overcoming Revenge: Responsibility, Community, and Healing in Response to Violence." It is to be held in the MacDonald Moot Courtroom of Myron Taylor Hall at 7 p.m. and is open to the general public. Admission is free.

Program participant David Kaczynski, the brother of convicted "Unabomber" Ted Kaczynski, turned his brother in to federal authorities on the condition that his brother would not face the death penalty. Joining Kaczynski on the program is Gary Wright, who in 1986 was nearly killed by one of the Unabomber's letter bombs. Over the years, Wright and David Kaczynski have become friends. Kaczynski is now executive director of the Albany-based New Yorkers Against the Death Penalty.

Bud Welch's daughter Julie Marie was killed in the Oklahoma City bombing. He has been an outspoken critic of capital punishment since her death. He joins the panel with Bill Babbitt, who turned in his brother Manny to Sacramento police on the condition that he receive treatment for his mental illness and that the death penalty would not be sought. Following a trial in which his court-appointed attorney failed to present crucial evidence, Manny Babbitt was convicted and executed in California.