In
Fresno tonight advocates against the death penalty gathered at the St Paul Newman center.
They heard the story of a woman who was convicted of murder, sent to death row and then cleared of all charges.
Sabrina Butler-Porter was convicted of killing her nine-month-old son.
She spent three years on death row, but she was later found innocent and released.
Tonight she told catholic supporters that she feels God gave her a new mission in life.
“I feel like God sent me for this reason, he wanted me do something for him,” Butler-Porter said.
Butler-Porter is now an outspoken critic of the death penalty, including here in California.
She says she's not bitter about the time she spent on death row.
“My faith is strong and I don't want to be the one to not make it into heaven for not being able to forgive,” Butler-Porter said.
This November residents can weigh in on California's death penalty.
If passed Proposition 34 would end the death penalty and replace it with life in prison.
Meanwhile supports of the death penalty say it’s a deterrent to serious crime and is a just punishment in many cases.
