Research Also Indicates Capital Punishment Is A Deterrent
Senator Gerald Cardinale, (R-39), joined Professor Robert Blecker from the New York Law School today urging Governor Corzine and the legislative leadership to refrain from abolishing the death penalty in New Jersey during the lame duck session of the legislature.
“The argument that because New Jersey doesn’t use the death penalty we should abolish it is absurd, ” Cardinale stated. “Capital punishment serves justice and new research by respected academics in Pepperdine University indicates it also serves as a spectacular deterrent. In fact the study ‘shows that each execution carried out is correlated with about 74 fewer murders the following year.’”
Senator Cardinale and Professor Blecker recommended several amendments to the death penalty statute to make it more effective. They include introducing the concept of ‘lingering doubt’ into a jury’s deliberations in the penalty phase of a capital trial where the death penalty wouldn’t be permitted. Additionally, legislation to establish a procedure and timelines for the appeals process is being drafted by the Office of Legislative Services.
“Attempting to sneak this enormously important public policy proposal during the lame duck session is appalling, ” Blecker stated. “Is this any way to run a Republic?”
“If the Governor and the Legislative leadership believe that abolishing capital punishment for murdering sex offenders, cop killers and terrorists is the right thing to do then they should have the courage of their convictions and do it in as open and transparent way as possible, ” Cardinale concluded.
Link to Post:
http://www.senatenj.com/index.php/cardinale/cardinale-blecker-capital-punishment-serves-justice/156
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