It's been floating around the liberal blogs for some time now, but last night was the first time I really paid attention to the tragic case of Cameron Todd Willingham. It's always been obvious that some innocents must have been executed somewhere, but as Jeralyn Merritt says, "Texas now has the dishonor, in addition to being the state that executes the most people, of being the first state we know of that has executed an innocent person." The best article on the case is this one in the New Yorker. The bottom line is that Willingham was murdered by the government due to bad forensic analysis and a jailhouse snitch. At best, it was a "mistake."
"Regardless of my personal opinion about the death penalty, I do not have confidence in the criminal justice system as it currently operates to be the final arbiter when it comes to who lives and who dies for their crime," Richardson said.
The move brought reaction from people and groups all over the state including New Jerseyans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty:
The strong bipartisan vote in the New Mexico Legislature comes amidst a growing chorus of concern about the death penalty across the country. New Mexico's decision to end capital punishment brings to 15 the number of states that no longer carry out executions. Other states have put executions on hold or enacted studies. With executions and death sentences on decline since 2000 in every region of the nation, and with public opinion moving away from support for capital punishment, it is clear that America is rethinking the death penalty.
Corzine commended his fellow Governor:
"I want to commend Governor Richardson for signing legislation repealing the death penalty in New Mexico. Governor Richardson's decision to abolish the death penalty in his state, regardless of his own personal opinion on the matter, demonstrates the true character of a leader.
Governor Richardson understands that the criminal justice system is not perfect and innocent people are, at times, wrongfully accused of crimes they did not commit. I firmly believe replacing the death penalty with a sentence of life in prison without parole best captures our highest values and reflects our best efforts to search for true justice."
Senator Lesniak had this to say:
"I applaud Governor Bill Richardson and the members of the New Mexico State Legislature for recognizing that no good comes from the death penalty. As New Jersey decided in 2007, capital punishment exposes the innocent to execution, causes more suffering for the family members of murder victims, serves no penal purpose and detracts our society from addressing serious problems of crime and the effectiveness of our prison system.
I am proud that the Garden State lead the way in abolishing our death penalty statute. And I am pleased to welcome New Mexico as the second state to abolish the death penalty since the Supreme Court reinstated it in 1976. I hope that Governor Richardson?s actions today will serve as an example for the 35 other states and federal government that still practice capital punishment."
Democratic US Senator Russell Feingold on Thursday introduced legislation to put an immediate halt to federal executions and abolish the death penalty for violations of federal law.
"It is truly unfortunate that we are in a shrinking minority of countries that continue to allow state-sponsored executions," he said, noting that capital punishment has been banned in 123 countries around the world.
"I hope and believe this award will help efforts to abolish the death penalty where ever it exists," said Lesniak. "I'm am also proud as an American to receive this award for the defense of human rights at Le Memorial de Caen, the famous museum dedicated to honoring the D-Day invasion and the soldiers who lost their lives fighting for our freedom."
Lesniak said he will contribute the award of $9,740 to The Road to Justice and Peace (http://www.theroadtoabolition.com/), a non-profit he created whose purpose is "to advance the abolition of the death penalty around the globe, to support the families of murder victims, and to promote humane alternatives to incarceration."
"The death penalty is a random act of brutality," said Lesniak during his speech before a panel of international judges, which can be viewed online. "Its application throughout the United States is random, depending on where the murder occurred, the race and economic status of who committed the murder, the race and economic status of the person murdered and, of course, the quality of the legal defense."
He continued, "I'm proud of the people of the State of New Jersey for electing political leaders who ended this random act of brutality."
Re-promoted for a Merry Christmas. If you're reading today, maybe you have 10 minutes to reflect on the year in NJ politics. Enjoy and don't forget to take the poll! -JG
What better way to celebrate a memorable year than with a top 10 list? As a blogger, activist and campaign worker, this was my perspective as seen (entirely) thorugh the lens of my wecam or iPhone.
Hopefully something for everyone. Take the poll and share what would make your top ten list!
(To commemorate International Death Penalty Abolition Day, allow me to re-tread an oldie from January '06. This post was my very first here on Blue Jersey. Promoted by Jay Lassiter)--
Last Wednesday, NJ lawmakers overwhelmingly voted to suspend executions while a task force studies the ethical issues and costs associated with imposing capital punishment. When Gov. Codey signs the measure on Monday, NJ becomes the second state behind Illinois to suspend executions, but the first to do so through legislation. (Illinois' moritorium was done by executive order.) The bill had bipartisam support in Trenton. Said Democrat Sen. (sic) Joseph Roberts, "The injustice of the current system, the steep price tag as well, means we ought to take a look at it." His Republican colleague Sen. Diane Allen went further, "We've heard about people who were put to death and (later) found innocent. We've looked at the cost, which is enormously more for someone on death row than for a person who's imprisoned for life without parole. In New Jersey, there has been a sea change in how people view the death penalty."
While I appreciate that lawmakers need to factor the cost of any program into their decisions, I did find it curious that both Senators cited economic factors in their decision. I believe the most persuasive argument against the death penalty is a moral one.
I am against capital punishment and I feel it should be abolished. But that hasn't always been the case. Until a few years ago, I believed the state reserved the right to impose the death penalty on offenders who commit the most henious types of crimes. It wasn't until about three years ago when I heard a speech made by the late Pontiff John Paul II, that I began to re-evaluate my own position on this compicated matter.
Here are some parting shots from Rome where the NJ death penalty repeal was the big story bouncing around old Europe this past week. And that's just the beginning of the story.
As I gaze out at the Colosseum -- where criminals were fed to wild animals after their eyes were gouged out as punishment -- I am reminded that the momentum to repeal we feel RIGHT NOW is a long, long time coming.
So in addition to the history-making law signed by Governor Corzine, movement is happening world-wide.
In fact as I slept, the United Nations voted on a non-binding referendum to end capital punishment. Roughly 2/3 of the member states voted to repeal. Sadly the United States joined Axis-of-Evil homeboys like Iran to stay on the current uncivilized path. Also voting to execute: China and Pakistan. No disrespect, but is that the company we really wanna keep?It's worth remembering that the United States is represented in the UN by a Bush appointee so perhaps the vote is not entirely surprising.
But the trend on this issue is pretty clear. And New Jersey is leading the way.
In fact, the global media reports covering the UN vote repeatedly cited Our Fair State as proof that the machinery of death is not necesarily a foregone conclusion in America. I saw footage of last Monday's bill signing on BBC, German-, French-, Italian TV, and Al Jeezeera. But especially here in Italy -- where this movement is so robust -- is the topic on everyone's mind.
Never EVER have I been so proud for my Jersey pedigree as I am in this moment.
Now if you excuse me, it's one more day of vini, vede, cappuccini for me.
This photo comes courtesy of Blue Jersey's Chief International Correspondent Jay Lassiter who is in Rome today. The Colosseum is bathed in golden light to mark the end of the death penalty in New Jersey.
Any time an execution is suspended or commuted or the death penalty is abolished somewhere in the world, Rome illuminates the Colosseum for two days in gold light. While some Democrats and most Republicans in our legislature voted to remain in the "axis of evil" club of nations that murder their own citizens (North Korea, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, etc), the majority voted to show the world (in the words of Sister Helen Prejean) that "life is stronger than death, that love is greater than hatred, and compassion and standing for the dignity of the human person is stronger than the need for revenge."
Tonight the venue that was once the site of mass torture and executions will shine in recognition of New Jersey's move towards a less barbaric world.
But how far will this historic step be felt? It's impossible to know, but the discussion is already beginning in several other states and around the world.
New Jersey is poised to become the first state in more than 30 years to repeal the death penalty. We urge Connecticut's lawmakers to join this brave if small club.
New Jersey is joining West Virginia in abolishing the death penalty. Hurrah. We hope more states likewise end the barbaric practice of killing prisoners, as most advanced nations have done. Today, executions are performed mostly in harsh places like Texas, where former Gov. George Bush set records at putting people to death, and privately mocked a woman who was executed.
[exonerated Idaho death row inmate] Don [Paradis] says Idaho should follow the example of New Jersey and abolish the death penalty.
Paradis said,"Kicking the death penalty out, you're going to have some people saying we're giving into the criminals, you're not giving into criminals you're giving into being a civilized society."
So it is time now to launch a consistent and principled policy, openly and loudly advocating an end to the death penalty internationally -- even towards key trade partners such as the US and China, who also happen to be among the world's most enthusiastic executers.
At a time when New Jersey has just made itself the first American state in 40 years to abolish the death penalty, and when even Beijing is considering abolition, our new Government should seize the opportunity to make bipartisan national policy clear.
Thank you to all of the activitists, lobbyists, and politicians who made this happen. The world is a little less hateful today. Enjoy the fruits of your labor.
When Governor Corzine signs the bill, N.J. will be the first state in the land to repeal the death penalty legislatively. Nasty criminals face life without parole instead.
US Senator Russ Feingold, author of the Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act, commended the legislature for voting to abolish the death penalty in New Jersey:
"I commend the New Jersey legislature on its votes this week to repeal the death penalty in that state, and I commend Governor Corzine for indicating he will sign the repeal. The implementation of the death penalty in this country is deeply flawed, as well as inconsistent with basic American principles of justice, liberty, and equality. While it will take patience and persistence, it is evident from the Supreme Court's de facto moratorium on executions by lethal injection, the American Bar Association's call for a nationwide moratorium on capital punishment, and votes like the ones this week in New Jersey that support is building across the country to end this practice."
(Trenton)-- *Update* The vote just took place and it was 44-36 in favor of abolishing the Death Penalty in NJ. The bill now heads to the Governor's desk where he has already said he intends to sign it.
*Update* 4pm Assemblywoman Marcia Karrow: Let's keep the death penalty because "monsters" are "mean."
*Update* 3:45p. On and on it goes. Back and forth. Nice that most arguments are heartfelt and thoughtful. Now if only they could wrap it us since no one is adding anything new to the debate at this point. Thankfully I was just paid a visit from the Snickers fairy. Packed with peanuts, it can satisfy the hunger of even the crankiest of liberal bloggers.
*Update 7* 3:15p Sen-elect O'Toole just rose to offer a sound and thoughtful perspective. I don't agree with his point, but at least he doesn't feel the need to make it personal. People of good conscience can disagree. Can we live with that?
*Update 6*Assemblyman Carroll is quoting Antonin Scalia, chapter and verse to hammer home that liberals are crazy. Note to Carroll: if you come across as crazy chracterizing others as crazy, then the argument is lost. Just a thought.
OMG OMG!! Did Carroll just quote Lord of the Rings? From Scalia to Froddo and back . Wow. Well, at least the dude has some range!
Update 5 GOP Asm. Dave Wolfe just stepped up to prove that you can make a honest well meaning argument without sounding panic alarms all over the place. He shared an anecdote: recently at a cafe, we polled 10 constituents. Four were against- , four were pro-, and two others didn't know.
*Update 4* Bateman is being grilled by the death penalty fetishists in his party. Assemblyman Merck is leading the charge. To hear him talk, you might judge him a bit of a douchbag fear mongerer.
*Update 3*GOP Assemblyman Bateman is the bill's co-sponsor. Bateman: "When I joined this body 14 years ago, I never dreamed I would rise to make this pitch."
He is telling the story of a constituent (and crime victim) who was the catalyst of his change of heart on this issue. Like many of us, he used to feel differenty on this topic. But "we have an opportunity to day to chart a new course."
*Update 2* 2:35pm: Assemblyman Caraballo opens. This is his bill and his legacy.
*Update 1* It's 2:30p and we are finally underway. The first order of business: Senator -elect Bill Baroni's motion to remember "fellow Hamiltonian" Dr. David Rebovich who passed away recently. It was a nice gesture that also managed to dial back the intensity in the room. Clearly Rebovich is still much beloved under this roof.
The Death Penalty repeal is the big item on the docket today, but the most exquisite tension in Trenton centers around the Family Leave battle.
At this writing (1:45p) the Assembly is sitting for official portraits prior to votes.
I dare say that the Assembly Dems are squeezing a lot in today with votes and pix. All this after a long afternoon in caucus where family leave was the main course.
The bill has been posted for Thursday and the Assembly session is scheduled to start at 1 pm.
Jay, no doubt I'll see you there, even though the weather forecast is crummy.
BTW, people--Assemblyman Jon Bramnick of Westfield voted against the bill in committee yesterday and will doubtless vote against it Thursday. He spent the committee hearing showing off his lawyerly cross-examination skills and deep thinking.
Ray Lesniak opens at 3:21p. This is his bill, ya know.
Dick Codey follows by describing a change of heart from his early days in the Assembly.
He's not the only one, I used to believe the state reserved the right to execute "certain kinds" of offenses, too.
But DNA don't lie. It's good to hear Dick Codey speaking about this complex issue, in his typical everyman kinda way.
I also just got word from one of my committee moles that the Assembly panel just realeased the bill to the full Assembly for a vote, this Thursday. The vote was 5-1.
Very few obstacles remain before this is the law of the land.
In the meantime, Gerry Cardinale is blowharding as only he can. Would you believe that his fellow republicans roll their eyes at him too? Aparently I am not the only one.
The GOP delegation is an hour for a 2pm start which is really crappy until you realize that this is not atypical here in Trentonia. The Dems do it too. But to be a whole hour behind schedule with nary a Republican in sight, I have a bad feeling that this round of posturing is going to hurt those of us with a chronicly short attention span.
The good news is that the Death Penalty vote is supposed to happen first. Which at this rate should be sometime around 2009.
"What happens," I asked a GOP staffer "if we are still cooling our heels at 10pm?"
"Um, well, then we can say for sure that it's a discourteous sign."
Ya think?
Stay tuned and if anyone reading this is near the statehouse, please bring me a Snickers bar. Clearly I am not going anywhere anytime soon."
