Death Penalty in the News
Several news items in the papers. I'll post them all at once…it shows that the death penalty is a topic that more and more people are reading about.
New York is still in limbo and it is clear that what happens in New York will have an effect on the rest of the country. DPIC refers to a Newsday editorial that called on lawmakers to carefully examine the fundamental problems with the death penalty before considering any reinstatement legislation.
Secondly, today’s NY Times published an unlikely portrait of David Kaczynski, one of the leading voices for anti-death penalty advocates and executive director of a 10,000-member statewide organization, New Yorkers Against the Death Penalty. The article titled, The Death Penalty as a Personal Thing explains Kaczynki’s personal story but also puts his work into perspective by showing how Albany is facing serious questions:
Against a national backdrop of questions about the death penalty, spurred by DNA evidence and competency issues, Albany politicians are assessing the changing landscape in the state. National groups say a real battle over capital punishment in New York could accelerate the debate across the country. And Mr. Kaczynski is at the center of the action.
In yesterday’s New York Times Magazine, Paul Raeburn gives background to the Christopher Simmons case (sentenced to death for a murder he committed at age 17) and gives insight to the current Supreme Court debate about adolescents and the death penalty: whether a 16 or 17 year old, when they commit their crimes, should be held to the same standard as adults.
And finally, DPIC has sited that four of the Texas’ largest newspapers published editorials in support of a moratorium on executions.
The Houston police crime lab has been plagued with errors in DNA testing and preservation of evidence. There have been far more executions from Harris County (Houston) than from any other county in the country.
Posted by katherine at 12:21 PM
Comments
ionolsen21 Hello Jane, great site!
Posted by: thomson at October 18, 2006 01:41 PM
ionolsen23 Very good site. Thanks for author!
Posted by: thomson at October 20, 2006 03:57 PM
ionolsen40 So interesting site, thanks!
Posted by: turnik at November 6, 2006 12:25 PM
