Child Murderers/Rapists, Cop Killers & Terrorists to Face Lenient Treatment Under Trenton Democrats’ Plan
Senator Gerald Cardinale, R-39, issued the following statement regarding Speaker Joseph Roberts announcement that he intends to move forward towards the abolishment of capital punishment in New Jersey during the lame duck session of the legislature.
“This autumn’s arrest of six Islamic militants living in New Jersey was an unsettling reminder that we live in dangerous times. While there are problems with the way the death penalty is administered in New Jersey, abolishing it is not the solution.
“Unlike other states, New Jersey narrowly applies the death penalty. It is reserved for only the worst cases of murder, for example those involving terrorism, a sex crime, torture or the killing of a child or a police officer.
“Our system of imposing the death penalty is uniquely careful and complex. A capital murder trial is divided into two distinct parts, the “guilt” phase and the “penalty” phase. Once the jury has determined the accused is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, a second proceeding is held to determine whether the defendant will be sentenced to death. During the penalty phase, the jury weighs the case’s “aggravating factors” against its “mitigating factors.”
“The New Jersey Supreme Court automatically reviews every death penalty sentence to determine whether the death penalty is warranted. If the Supreme Court upholds the sentence, the defendant is then entitled to appeal his case in state and federal court systems.
“Additionally, a report prepared by Professor Robert Blecher that debunks the New Jersey Death Penalty commission’s report will be released to the public later this month. Professor Blecher is a nationally respect expert on capital punishment. The report will be formally published by both the Seton Hall and Rutgers schools of law.”
“Finally, it is appalling that the Speaker would announce that he intends to move forward with the abolishment of the death penalty only two days after the election. The voters should have had the opportunity to decide this issue instead of it being forced down their throats during the lame duck session of the Legislature.”
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