Recent news has focused on the Supreme Court and its decision as to the 3 drug cocktail currently served to execute a death sentence. They will decide if the pain it may cause is excruciating and therefore a violation of the Constitution. Reports are that the Supreme Court appears to be divided over the topic. Several Justices prefer to preserve the current method, which operates in the 36 or so states (including California) that allow executions. This type of decision if finalized, would allow all lethal injections currently "on hold" since September of 2007 to resume quickly.
In California, a state commission (named Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice) is set to open hearings this week on whether California is fairly applying its laws on capital punishment. Two of the agenda items are the delays in appeals, and whether or not too many crimes are punishable by death.
California has 670 prisoners awaiting capital punishment. Since 1978 the state has executed 13 people. Three times that number have died of illness or old age. Last year alone tallied 6 such deaths. Fourteen others have committed suicide.
In summary, if a person is on "death row" they have a greater chance of dying from illness, old age or self inflicted death than any penalty the state could ever get around to imposing.
So what is all the controversy? Please weigh in on this if you have a moment...we'd love to hear from you!
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Best regards, Michael Caruso
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