The state Senate voted to abolish the death penalty by a vote of 28 to 18. The bill’s sponsor, Reuven Carlyle, stated the attitudes of Americans on the death penalty have changed, and that “it is time for the legislative branch that sets the laws of our state to make the final determination on this particular legislation.”
How can our elected officials overrule a population of over 7 million residents? The last time the death penalty was voted on in Washington, it passed by a nearly 3-to-1 margin. Proponents say death penalty sentences are unequally applied; that the system is broken. So fix it, don’t throw it away! They say the appeals process is too lengthy. Don’t allow multiple appeals; don’t allow a defense of insanity, TBI or PTSD. If you kill a law enforcement officer, the death penalty should be automatic with no appeal possible.
Life imprisonment is not a real deterrent. They get free meals, medical, TV, rec room, library and an exercise yard. What a hardship! We need to keep the death penalty as a viable option for the charge of aggravated murder. Put the measure on the ballot and let the people of Washington decide if they want to send the aggravated murderer to life in prison.
