Mass. House defeats proposal to restore death penalty

[alp227]

Last edited Tue Apr 23, 2013, 08:54 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: Boston Globe

The Massachusetts House of Representatives today swiftly beat back a proposal to reinstate the death penalty in Massachusetts through an amendment to the state budget that’s now being debated on Beacon Hill.

Sate Representative James R. Miceli, a Wilmington Democrat, had filed the death penalty amendment before the bombing at the Boston Marathon last Monday. However, he cited the turbulent events of last week as evidence of the need for heightened protections for law enforcement personnel.

“We spent a week applauding the police. All of those police who responded did an outstanding job and they deserve every bit of support,” Miceli said on the House floor. “I’m asking you to put your money where your mouth is. This bill protects them.”

But state Representative Eugene L. O’Flaherty, a Chelsea Democrat, called for an alternative amendment that would leave the death penalty bill to the judiciary committee, which is also due to consider it. He also called for a full study of the legislation’s impact on the judicial system and cost before it could go into effect. O’Flaherty’s amendment overwhelmingly prevailed in the House.

Read more: http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/04/23/lawmakers-citing-marathon-bombings-propose-restoring-death-penalty-massachusetts/72UOgtShrscd9pSFRv1YsN/story.html

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Miceli is a DEMOCRAT???? This is wingnut-style politicization right here as low as people like Steve King and Louie Gohmert using the Boston bombings as excuses to tamper with immigration reform.

(On edit) story has been updated to provide context such as the Mitt Romney administration backing reinstatement of capital punishment:

Romney had introduced the measure in 2005, claiming it would set the “gold standard” for capital punishment cases since it aimed to provide safeguards against wrongful convictions, including verifiable scientific evidence such as DNA for sentencing.

[hughee99]

1. In MA, pretty much everyone in the legislature is a Democrat.

Some are more conservative than others, though. In any case, it's one thing to have the death penalty, it's another to actually use it. NY had the death penalty from the mid-90's until 2004 and didn't execute anyone. Even if MA were to re-instate it, I doubt it would be used for anything more than bargaining leverage in plea deals.

[azurnoir]

2. Thanks for posting this

it's good to know some states can keep their senses about them even in times of great stress

[Purveyor]

3. Good. Thank you for posting. eom