Post by SoulTrainOz on Jul 9, 2006 21:10:56 GMT -5
The League of Women Voters of New York State congratulates the Codes Committee of the state Assembly for again holding death penalty legislation in committee on June 13. We see public opinion changing regarding the death penalty and thank the Assembly for recognizing that this law is not a workable option for our criminal justice system.
The recent exoneration of Douglas Warney, convicted in Rochester of a murder he did not commit, shows how confessions can be coerced by investigators. He was in prison 10 years before DNA evidence proved him to be innocent.
The league was proud to lead an effort at the recent national convention of the League of Women Voters where delegates voted overwhelmingly for abolition of the death penalty. This national position enables all leagues who desire, to advocate against the death penalty at the state and federal levels.
Why has the league taken this position? Eleven years of this law in New York did not show it to be a deterrent; it has been estimated that the cost was at least $200 million; it gave county district attorneys unchecked power to decide who would be charged with a capital crime; racial and geographical disparity showed systemic unfairness; and the availability of DNA testing has shown that there can be false confessions and eyewitness testimony.
Members also noted the human rights aspect; opponents argue that the state should not play the role of executioner. For these reasons, we will continue to work to prevent the return of the death penalty in New York.
MARCIA MERRINS, President
ANN BRANDON, Death Penalty Specialist
League of Women Voters of New York State
Albany
(source: Letter to the Editor, Times Union)
The recent exoneration of Douglas Warney, convicted in Rochester of a murder he did not commit, shows how confessions can be coerced by investigators. He was in prison 10 years before DNA evidence proved him to be innocent.
The league was proud to lead an effort at the recent national convention of the League of Women Voters where delegates voted overwhelmingly for abolition of the death penalty. This national position enables all leagues who desire, to advocate against the death penalty at the state and federal levels.
Why has the league taken this position? Eleven years of this law in New York did not show it to be a deterrent; it has been estimated that the cost was at least $200 million; it gave county district attorneys unchecked power to decide who would be charged with a capital crime; racial and geographical disparity showed systemic unfairness; and the availability of DNA testing has shown that there can be false confessions and eyewitness testimony.
Members also noted the human rights aspect; opponents argue that the state should not play the role of executioner. For these reasons, we will continue to work to prevent the return of the death penalty in New York.
MARCIA MERRINS, President
ANN BRANDON, Death Penalty Specialist
League of Women Voters of New York State
Albany
(source: Letter to the Editor, Times Union)