Letters to the editor Jun 22, 2009
Tom Harman in his Open Forum article "Legal stalling is packing death dow" (June 15) cites the California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice's report for his conclusion that California's capital punishment system is "failing.". What Harman fails to state is that the commission's death penalty recommendations, if implemented, would cost the state an additional $97 million per year. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
It was capital punishment for Canberra, no question Jun 22, 2009
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. Where no game existed, suddenly a nail-biting finish emerged. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Chrysiliou steps up to bring calm to Manly Jun 22, 2009
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. THE Manly Sea Eagles have been the first club to answer the NRL's call for more women on boards by appointing Kerry Chrysiliou as a director. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Andy Answers His Mail Jun 22, 2009
At that time, he was the FIRST white person in Texas to be sent to death row for the murder of an African-American since the state resumed capital punishment in the mid-1970s. And if he is executed he will be only the second white man in Texas history ever executed for the killing of a black person. (CBS News -- 60 minutes)
Sea Eagles all smiles after shaking off Raiders Jun 22, 2009
Manly five-eighth Chris Bailey leaves the Canberra defence sprawling at Brookvale Oval yesterday. Photo: Steve Christo. (Sydney Morning Herald)
NSW snub proves easy for Campese Jun 22, 2009
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. TERRY CAMPESE shrugged. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Sotomayor quits all-women's club Jun 21, 2009
The report, which has since been provided, said, "Capital punishment is associated with evident racism in our society." It noted that African-Americans at the time made up 47 percent of death row inmates, but only 11 percent of the U.S. population. More from msnbc. (MSNBC -- Politics)
A life & death matter Jun 21, 2009
Local coalition aims to abolish capital punishment in Texas. June 19, 2009 - 9:40 PM. (Odessa American, TX)
The Eighth Amendment to the US Cons... Jun 21, 2009
As to other aspects of the death penalty, capital punishment is not cruel or unusual, but violates the Amendment if imposed in an arbitrary manner. As a result the Court has required legislatures to specifically define the circumstances giving rise to capital punishment and requiring special procedures and jury findings before it can be imposed. (Suite101.com)
No Death for 'Heaven' Dad Jun 19, 2009
Founded in 1988, Death Penalty Focus is dedicated to the abolition of capital punishment ... FOX: What about all of the talk about whether Jesus would have supported capital punishment. (Fox News)
Killer of Antioch girl is found dead in cell Jun 19, 2009
California has executed 13 prisoners under the current capital punishment law, starting in 1992, and has 683 under death sentence. E-mail Bob Egelko at. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Nigeria: Pervasive Kidnapping in Country - Symptom of a Failing State? Jun 19, 2009
There is however merit in the proposal that kidnapping should attract capital punishment. Relevant Links. (allAfrica.com)
New jury mulls fate of man who slashed OC couple Jun 18, 2009
The first penalty phase stalled when the jury voted 11-1 in favor of capital punishment. Prosecutors say Martinez entered the home pretending to be a prospective home buyer then killed 83-year-old Nicholas Casas and his 73-year-old wife Emilia. (Fresno Bee -- State)
Death Penalty Does Not Deter Murder, According to New Survey of America's Leading Criminologists Jun 17, 2009
Coming on the heels of New Mexico's abolition of the death penalty and amid a national trend away from capital punishment because of concerns about its high costs, executing the innocent, unfairness in application, failure to provide "closure" for victims, and other issues, the study entitled "Do Executions Lower Homicide Rates? The Views of Leading Criminologists" undermines deterrence as a rationale for maintaining the punishment. Eighty-seven percent of the expert criminologists believe that... (PR Newswire)
Africa: African Union Emphasises Children's Survival Jun 17, 2009
It has prohibited the use of capital punishment, use of imprisonment and use of. corporal punishment for children under 18 years, and further provides for the use of scientific tests in deciding paternity cases. (allAfrica.com)
'Pro-life' extremists getting out of hand Jun 16, 2009
Hypocritical Oath wrote on Jun 15, 2009 10:58 AM:" Desertman With regard to abortion, there is a line of distinction between a medical procedure and birth control/family planning. I agree that a medical procedure must be considered in the case of incest, rape, or when the mothers life is in danger. I suspect that a VAST majority of abortions fall into the birth control category. In ANY case, how can late term abortion be considered anything other than murder? I dont... (Sierra Vista Herald, AZ)
A grieving father's journey to soul-searching Jun 16, 2009
Bob Curley would become an outspoken advocate for capital punishment in Massachusetts. About his son's killers, he'd tell one television interviewer, "Let's go get them and put the hurt on them. Until people are willing to make a stand, it's just gonna keep going on and on." MacQuarrie offers a detailed account of the passionately fought legislative battle over establishing the death penalty. (Boston Globe)
Nigeria: The Forgotten Ogoni Four [column] Jun 16, 2009
I am totally opposed to capital punishment and have always regretted Gen Sani Abacha's decision to execute Ken for inciting the above murders. But I also held my uncles, Edward, Albert, Sam and Theophilus in enormous esteem and have spent many sleepless nights angrily recalling Ken's failure to nip in the bud, before it was too late, the homicidal aggression his acolytes displayed towards his political "enemies". (allAfrica.com)
Signed Memo Opposing Death Penalty... Jun 6, 2009
and members of the committee arguing that Sotomayor had not properly complied with this requirement because she had not submitted the 1981 memo on capital punishment ... --"Capital punishment is associated with evident racism in our society. The number of minorities and the poor executed or awaiting execution is out of proportion to their numbers in the population." ... --"The problem of crime and violence in American society is so complex, it is unreasonable to think that capital punishment... (The Drudge Report)
Report: US weighs guilty pleas in some 9/11 cases Jun 6, 2009
These pleas under U.S. law are allowed in federal civilian courts and in the courts of most states with capital punishment statutes. Copyright 2009 Associated Press. (Albany Times Union)
Rell Vetoes Measure To End Death Penalty Jun 6, 2009
Jealous says Capital Punishment violates the civil rights of minorities who are more likely to end up on Death Row than Whites charged with similar crimes. In Connecticut, ten men sit on death row. (FOX61, CT)
Rell Vetoes Bill To Repeal Connecticut's Death Penalty Jun 6, 2009
A longtime supporter of capital punishment, Rell said the ultimate penalty should be reserved for those who commit the most heinous crimes ... Amnesty International said, "Gov. Rell's veto of this legislation represents a missed opportunity for the state of Connecticut to extricate itself from the useless and costly boondoggle that is capital punishment. Any other policy that wasted valuable taxpayer dollars without reducing crime or making anyone safer would have been eliminated without... (FOX61, CT)
Cynthia Tucker Jun 6, 2009
Capital punishment is too weighty a matter to be determined by a less-than-unanimous vote ... Despite high court rulings that have attempted to make the use of capital punishment more fair, nothing can be done to remove human caprice and prejudice from the process of determining who lives and who dies ... That was another decision that made capital punishment seem more capricious than rational. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
New England News in Brief Jun 6, 2009
The bill, passed last month, would have replaced capital punishment with life in prison without a chance of parole. Leaders of the Democrat-controlled General Assembly have said they do not have enough votes for to override Rell, a Republican. (Boston Globe)
NH Senate votes to study death penalty Jun 5, 2009
The House had voted to repeal capital punishment as well as studying it. The Senate voted last month to put off action on repealing the law, but agreed Wednesday to study it. (Concord Monitor)
Gritty first job shaped Sotomayor Jun 4, 2009
The early examinations tell little about her jurisprudence on capital punishment, because it is rarely imposed in the states covered by the Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, but so far have shown her as a middle-of-the-road jurist who, like most judges, rules most often in favor of the prosecution. "She toes the line in terms of following what the law is, and in that respect [her opinions] come out as more pro-government," said Ellen S. Podgor, a law professor at Stetson University who has... (Huntington WSAZ-TV, WV)
Miklos selected as Democratic Freshman of the Year Jun 3, 2009
He was named Chairman of the Subcommittee on Capital Punishment, where he presided over hearings regarding the death penalty ... "I was proud to serve on the Criminal Jurisprudence and Urban Affairs Committees. I was flattered that Chairman Gallego gave me the opportunity to lead the Subcommittee on Capital Punishment," Miklos said. (McKinney Courier-Gazette, TX)
Young teens tackle big issues Jun 3, 2009
They also supported capital punishment in some situations, although one delegate said in debate that killing people is never justified. We shouldn t think it s a good thing to kill people with injections. (Corvallis Gazette Times, OR)
Man Charged In Abortion Doctor Slaying Jun 3, 2009
I usually do not support capital punishment, but in this case, lets pray to God this animal gets fried in the chair, if for no other reason than to set an example for his terrorist and thug sympathizers. Posted by n8yvn29 at 12:17 AM : Jun 3, 2009. (CBS News)
Nigeria: Sharia Council Condemns Move On Death Penalty Jun 3, 2009
Dutse The Jigawa State chapter of the Supreme Council for Shari'ah in Nigeria has condemned the current move by the House of Representatives to abolish capital punishment. Speaking yesterday at a news conference, the state chairman of the council, Alhaji Tijjani Inuwa Tashi said, "The ongoing debate at the National Assembly particularly the House of Representatives on the criminal justice system reforms with particular reference to capital punishment is nothing but a heartless and faithless... (allAfrica.com)
Man Executed For Killing Stepchildren Jun 3, 2009
The lethal injection also was the 200th during the tenure of Gov. Rick Perry, a milestone denounced by capital punishment opponents ... Hankins' execution was 439th since Texas resumed carrying out capital punishment in 1982 ... Perry spokeswoman Allison Castle said the governor, "like most Texans," believed capital punishment was appropriate "for those who commit the most heinous crimes.". (Click2Houston, TX)
EDIT: End Prejudice Jun 3, 2009
While this newspaper does not endorse capital punishment, we agree with the sentiment behind the apex court's statement. The new government assuming charge can be assured of the judiciary's support in its fight against the practice of giving and taking dowry. (India Times, India)
* Academics call for review of policy that capital punishment deters crime Jun 2, 2009
Academics call for review of policy that capital punishment deters crime ... Academics yesterday urged the government to review its policy on capital punishment by conducting an in-depth study on whether it discourages crime. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Tiller's Murder: The Logic of Extremism on Abortion Jun 2, 2009
To its supporters, capital punishment is a third way, and now we approach the logical challenge. If someone truly believes that abortion is the same as murder, then is not bombing abortion clinics or killing the doctors comparable to bombing concentration camps or killing their commandants. (Time.com)
Kan. abortion doc killed in church; suspect held Jun 2, 2009
" The late doctor, and I use the term loosely, see hypocratic oath, was under investigation for performing third trimester abortons, which are illegal, unles Obama's freedom of choice act passes. Capital punishment is paying for your mistakes with your life. Abortion is paying for your mistakes with someone else's. " ... missyg wrote on Jun 1, 2009 3:03 PM:" xdfred's quote "Capital punishment is paying for your mistakes with your life ... " Personally, I don't agree with capital punishment or... (Waterloo Courier, IO)
Gray area: Aging prison population has state looking at alternatives May 31, 2009
wrote on May 30, 2009 10:54 PM:" The Left has sold an end to capital punishment by promising "life in prison without parole".Then many of the same Leftist work overtime to find new schemes to release these animals, something we were assured NEVER would happen. They lie! They have no conscience! They have no decency! ". FollowTheConsitution wrote on May 30, 2009 10:06 PM:" Always about the MONEY!!!! If the politicians are so worried about the MONEY it cost to keeps these thugs, then bring back... (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Learn from Japan: Nurture our children May 31, 2009
As the former chief attorney for the state Public Defender's Office in Sacramento, I can attest that California has spent millions of wasted dollars attempting to apply capital punishment to persons who end up sitting on Death Row for decades, rarely if ever to be executed. Apart from the moral issue of whether such persons should be executed, it is repugnant to slash funding for education, health care and environmental programs when the state continues to spend millions of dollars on an... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Will Obama Nominee Put EU Law Over U.S. Law? May 29, 2009
Ogden argued in his brief that the laws of foreign nations are directly relevant to interpreting the Constitution: Almost without exception, the other nations of the world have rejected capital punishment of those under 18, confirming that the juvenile death penalty is contrary to the 8th Amendment standards of decency. In other words, since the other nations of the world disfavor capital punishment for juvenile killers, it necessarily follows that executing juvenile killers in the United States... (Human Events Online)
- Defendant faces death penalty 0 May 28, 2009
Imperial County District Attorney Gilbert Otero, Assistant DA Joe Beard and prosecuting attorney Deborah Owen determined that special circumstances surrounding the killing of 82-year-old Elsa Hechanova made Rubalcava eligible for capital punishment, Owen said. Hechanova s slaying inside her Danenberg Road home in March 2008 occurred during the commission of a burglary and an armed robbery, Owen said. (El Centro Imperial Valley Press, CA)
Madame Justice, Welcome To The Club May 27, 2009
You will have to render decisions on these vital issues, not to mention the life-and-death cases that crop up in the Courts capital punishment jurisprudence. You are President Barack Obamas first choice, the 111th Supreme Court Justice in all, and the second Hispanic on the Court only if you count Justice Benjamin Cardozo, which most people dont. (CBS News)
Death penalty mulled in Pa. student’s murder May 26, 2009
Daily American Online - Death penalty mulled in Pa. Nineteen-year-old Sean Louis Allen, of Hollidaysburg, is charged with criminal homicide in the March 3 death of 20-year-old Margo Davis, of Altoona. (Somerset Daily American, PA)
3 Minds Change On Death Penalty, Make Difference May 25, 2009
Gary LeBeau was long in the camp that favors capital punishment ... He is one of three Democratic senators, along with Andrea Stillman of and of Columbia, who once steadfastly supported capital punishment but now believe it is wrong ... LeBeau acknowledged that "political calculations" figured heavily in his previous stance supporting capital punishment. (FOX61, CT)
Fla. marks 30 years since death penaltys return May 24, 2009
Some other states have ended their use of capital punishment to save money, including New Mexico. A similar measure failed by one vote in the Colorado Senate. (Florida Today)
Rell Vows To Veto Measure Abolishing Death Penalty May 24, 2009
He said that Petit might, indeed, come to oppose capital punishment as time goes on ... She said that capital punishment appears to promise "that something will be made right, but truth be told, this is something that can never be rectified no matter what we do. The notion of balancing the scales is ludicrous it simply doesn't happen.". (FOX61, CT)
Religion Briefs May 23, 2009
Members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Erie are urging the governor and state legislators to impose a moratorium on capital punishment in Pennsylvania. Voting members of the congregation recently unanimously approved a resolution calling for "legislation imposing a moratorium on executions and on signing death warrants in our commonwealth until a fair and impartial study of the application of the death penalty is completed.". (Erie Times-News, PA)
Skillicorn executed despite support May 23, 2009
boscoe wrote on May 21, 2009 9:54 AM:" Skillcorn's behavior is what earned him the death penalty. Actions have consequences (or at least they should in the judicial system).Its great that he may have repented and turned away from his murderous ways, but it still doesn't cancel out the consequences of his behavior.As for capital punishment being the same as abortions, it is way different. A fetus, although concieved in the sinful fless, has not acted out in behavior meriting capital punishment.... (Jefferson City News Tribune, MO)
LETTER: Obama's power grab will lead to a 'fiery crash' May 23, 2009
After all, Bush himself has always been in favor of punishment, even capital punishment, for criminals of subnormal intelligence. People willfully and consistently underrate just how evil this man is. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Death Penalty Abolition Gets Final Approval In Senate May 22, 2009
Now the question is whether the bill will ever become law, because Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell has steadfastly said that she supports capital punishment, and repeated that Thursday ... "It's an amazing day no matter what happens,'' said Betty Gallo, a lobbyist who opposes capital punishment. Even if the bill fails to pass the Senate this session, she said she believes support is building. "We will, in the very near future, abolish the death penalty ... Edith Prague, a Democrat from Columbia,... (FOX61, CT)
Texas Man Executed For 1986 Murder May 21, 2009
In 2005, Riley was within days of execution when lawyers contending he was mentally disabled and ineligible for capital punishment won a court-ordered reprieve. Courts subsequently ruled he was not mentally disabled. (Click2Houston, TX)
Sudan sends more Darfur rebels to death May 20, 2009
Last year, the United Nations expressed concern over the trials in Sudanese courts especially created for the case and urged Khartoum to abolish capital punishment. Defence lawyers have argued that the special courts are unconstitutional and have not guaranteed their clients legal rights. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Neb. Lawmakers Give New Life To Death Penalty May 20, 2009
Supports said a majority of Nebraskans want capital punishment, and lethal injection is a legal way to carry out the law. "The bar is awfully high to get the death penalty in Nebraska and it should be," said Sen. (7 KETV Omaha)
Nigeria: War in Niger Delta - Mend Threatens Northerners in Oil Industry May 19, 2009
As a follow up, Gov Amaechi had the temerity to declare that he would impose capital punishment kidnapers instead of trying to resolve the symptom that drove these locals (including market women who now turn. Author: sejeh1 Tue May 19 06:52:24 2009. (allAfrica.com)
Obama calls for understanding in Notre Dame speech (42) May 19, 2009
" If you're going to pretend to be me, at least improve your grammer. You write like return of Joe, who is conspicuously absent. Capital punishment is paying for your mistakes with your life. Abortion is paying for your mistakes with somebody else's life. ". xdfred wrote on May 18, 2009 4:28 PM:" SH71 wrote on May 18, 2009 2:53 PM:". (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Olympia trial to challenge use of lethal injections May 19, 2009
towncryer wrote on May 18, 2009 2:59 PM:" I guess I would have to wonder if and/or how many mistakes have been made with lethal injection. Probably not many. Either way, this is just another reason why our present laws concerning capital punishment don't work. Instead of their sentences being carried out, these dregs of humanity are allowed to file suit in order to try and stay their execution. More tax dollars gone to waste on people who should've been taking a dirt nap years ago. But hey, I... (Longview Daily News, WA)
Can Californians afford to keep the death penalty? May 17, 2009
In the meantime, the financial costs of capital punishment continue to pile up ... I would prefer that capital punishment end because we come to our collective senses about what Justice Harry Blackmun called a penalty that "remains fraught with arbitrariness, discrimination, caprice, and mistake." However, I am not an elected public official who has the responsibility of spending the taxpayers' dollars wisely. (Sacramento Bee -- Opinion)
More resources on the death penalty May 17, 2009
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation page on capital punishment. Reports_Research/capital. (Sacramento Bee -- Opinion)
At death's door May 15, 2009
But Richard's fate, death by lethal injection in Texas in September 2007, is at the centre of debate about the sustainability of the death penalty in a country that has executed 1160 prisoners since capital punishment was reintroduced in 1976. Richard was executed on the day the US Supreme Court announced a review of lethal injections to decide whether they were a form of cruel and unusual punishment as prohibited by the country's constitution. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Ultimately, it came down to the goalies (Yesterday) May 15, 2009
That's what the Penguins can do to you when they play almost perfectly, when they build most of a 5-0 lead in the first hour of the biggest game of the season, when they go gleefully about their traditional spring administration of Capital punishment. "Probably didn't have his best night," defenseman Brooks Orpik quipped about the Capitals goalie in the somewhat giddy minutes after the Penguins rode a 6-2 spanking into the Eastern Conference final against Boston or Carolina. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Senate bill could revive death penalty May 15, 2009
RALEIGH North Carolina s legal knot that has delayed executions could unravel completely in legislation tentatively approved yesterday by the Senate that is designed to weed out racial bias in capital punishment ... Failing to carry out capital punishment for convicted murderers, he told colleagues, is a miscarriage of justice ... Floyd McKissick, D-Durham, the bill s primary sponsor, said he expected such an amendment could be added on the floor and told advocates of the Racial Justice Act that... (Roanoke Rapids Daily Herald, NC)
Killer Of 4 Gets Death Sentences May 14, 2009
Troya's case marks the first imposition of a federal death penalty in Florida since the federal government reinstated capital punishment in 1988. Troya and Sanchez were convicted March 5 of killing Jose Luis Escobedo, 28; his wife, Yessica Guerrero Escobedo, 25; and their sons, Luis Julian, 4, and Luis Damian, 3. (News4Jax.com, FL)
State House Votes To Abolish Death Penalty May 14, 2009
Republican Gov. M. repeated her support for capital punishment this week as the House prepared for the debate ... " Those supporting the ban said Connecticut is one of two states in New England to maintain the death penalty. Among New England states, , , and do not have capital punishment. Nationwide, 35 of 50 states have the death penalty. During the past five years, three states have abolished the death penalty: , and . Rep. Michael P. Lawlor, co-chairman of the judiciary committee, argued... (FOX61, CT)
Senate OKs bill that could resume executions May 14, 2009
North Carolina's legal knot that has delayed executions could unravel completely in legislation tentatively approved Wednesday by the Senate that is designed to weed out racial bias in capital punishment. . (Herald Sun)
Washington prisons want to deport illegal inmates May 14, 2009
Nexus wrote on May 13, 2009 9:07 AM:" Yaaaa!! But if its a capital punishment let them fry! If its a murder conviction or rape (same thing in my book) see if the Mexican government will make them spend the rest of their sentence in a Mexican jail. That should be a real good punishment ;-) " ... rainfan wrote on May 13, 2009 10:37 AM:" Any illegal alien convicted of a crime witin the borders of this country should be executed within 180 days. I gaurantee that a lot of this garbage would stop, and... (Longview Daily News, WA)
Past not prelude for this Game 7 (Yesterday) May 14, 2009
-- Spring is the season when this sprawling D.C. metroplex is traditionally exposed to Capital punishment, and historically there has been no more frequent nor enthusiastic executioner than the Penguins. But what climaxes tonight at the Verizon Center in downtown is part of hockey's New Testament, the part being written by Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, the part no longer inextricable from the gospels according to Mario and Jaromir and St. Petr of Nedved. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Sweden Rules 'Gender-Based' Abortion Legal May 13, 2009
You are unlikely to support capital punishment, aren't you ... Anyway, I made a direct question - do you believe that someone who is pro-life could support capital punishment ... How can you always make sure that everybody subjected to capital punishment is 100% guilty. (Newsmax)
