Post by SoulTrainOz on Jun 14, 2006 21:28:32 GMT -5
In the past 3 months, 2 New York State Troopers have been shot in Chemung County. While 1 is recovering, the other lost his life.
The State Senate approved legislation Tuesday that would restore the death penalty in cases where law enforcement officials are killed.
The Senate approved the bill 37 to 23, to reinstate the death penalty for convicted killers of police officers, peace officers, or employees of the State Department of Corrections.
Senator George Winner, a co-sponsor of the bill, says law enforcement officials need protection too.
"We have to have a special status for these individuals because they put their lives on the line every day to protect us," said Winner.
In 2004, the State Court of Appeals ruled the death penalty
unconstitutional, stating it pressured jurors into supporting a death sentence because they were afraid the defendant could be released in the future.
Part of the legislation the Senate passed Tuesday mandates a life sentence without parole if the jury deadlocks.
Chemung County Sheriff Chris Moss says it's necessary to have deterrents for criminals.
"Right now what's the most they're going to get? The maximum penalty is life in prison without parole. But if they know there's another consequence other than life in prison they might think twice before they do that," said Moss.
Governor George Pataki has already agreed to sign the legislation into law if its approved by the Assembly. But supporters of the bill are worried it won't even make it to the assembly floor for a vote before the end of the current legislative session next week.
"I would predict that if the liberal leadership of the New York State Assembly, those Manhattan oriented liberals, would allow that bill to come on the floor I would predict that it would pass overwhelmingly," said Winner.
Key assembly leaders have expressed reservations about restoring the death penalty, but residents in the Southern Tier we spoke to say it's a good idea.
"Definite proof of murder, why there should be no question," said John Pickelhaupt of Elmira.
"Mr. Robinson was an FBI agent, I worked for the FBI in New York City I feel very strongly that any law enforcement person puts themselves on the line for all of us. So for that reason I feel strongly about the penalty," said retired FBI secretary and Elmira resident Hazel Robinson.
Anthony Gelzer of Elmira said, "I do believe that the death penalty should be reinstated due to the fact if any individual kills somebody they should die, bottom line."
(source: WENY News)
The State Senate approved legislation Tuesday that would restore the death penalty in cases where law enforcement officials are killed.
The Senate approved the bill 37 to 23, to reinstate the death penalty for convicted killers of police officers, peace officers, or employees of the State Department of Corrections.
Senator George Winner, a co-sponsor of the bill, says law enforcement officials need protection too.
"We have to have a special status for these individuals because they put their lives on the line every day to protect us," said Winner.
In 2004, the State Court of Appeals ruled the death penalty
unconstitutional, stating it pressured jurors into supporting a death sentence because they were afraid the defendant could be released in the future.
Part of the legislation the Senate passed Tuesday mandates a life sentence without parole if the jury deadlocks.
Chemung County Sheriff Chris Moss says it's necessary to have deterrents for criminals.
"Right now what's the most they're going to get? The maximum penalty is life in prison without parole. But if they know there's another consequence other than life in prison they might think twice before they do that," said Moss.
Governor George Pataki has already agreed to sign the legislation into law if its approved by the Assembly. But supporters of the bill are worried it won't even make it to the assembly floor for a vote before the end of the current legislative session next week.
"I would predict that if the liberal leadership of the New York State Assembly, those Manhattan oriented liberals, would allow that bill to come on the floor I would predict that it would pass overwhelmingly," said Winner.
Key assembly leaders have expressed reservations about restoring the death penalty, but residents in the Southern Tier we spoke to say it's a good idea.
"Definite proof of murder, why there should be no question," said John Pickelhaupt of Elmira.
"Mr. Robinson was an FBI agent, I worked for the FBI in New York City I feel very strongly that any law enforcement person puts themselves on the line for all of us. So for that reason I feel strongly about the penalty," said retired FBI secretary and Elmira resident Hazel Robinson.
Anthony Gelzer of Elmira said, "I do believe that the death penalty should be reinstated due to the fact if any individual kills somebody they should die, bottom line."
(source: WENY News)