Time for Californians to end death penalty

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Tuesday, June 23, 2009

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By Janis Gay

John Van de Kamp’s commentary in the June 12 edition of the Register calling for the end of the death penalty was spot on.

Van de Kamp was California Attorney General for eight years and after retiring from politics the chair of the California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice.

The commission met 31 times over several years and examined many aspects of California’s justice system. Only three of those sessions examined the death penalty in California, yet Mr. Van de Kamp was so moved by what he learned he now speaks in a reasoned and clear voice for its abolition.

Others in law enforcement are joining him.

Recently Jeanne Woodford, former San Quentin warden who oversaw the execution of Robert Lee Massie, joined Van de Kamp at an event to talk about her change of attitude. “It is a public policy that devalues our very being and detracts crucial resources from programs that could truly make our communities safe.”

Proponents of the death penalty often rely on the adage that executions are justice for murdered victims’ family members. Many family members are pointing to the flaws in the death penalty. Organizations such as California Crime Victims for Alternatives to the Death Penalty and Murder Victims’ Families for Reconciliation are saying, “Don’t kill in our names!” and their voices are growing louder and louder.

There are more than 670 men on death row in San Quentin. We have executed 13 since 1977 and four times that many have died from natural causes or suicide. The system is broken and it would take a minimum of an additional $95 million annually to fix it. If the governor would commute all the sentences of the men on death row to permanent imprisonment, we will save more than $125 million a year.

At a time when we are making our state less safe by cutting law enforcement, safety departments and victims’ services, it just is crazy not to end the futility and madness of the death penalty.

There is one area in which I would disagree with Mr. Van de Kamp. He says we need a courageous governor to stop the death penalty. It is not the governor’s decision; it will be ours. Unlike most states in the U.S., Californians must vote to end the death penalty. Until we have that opportunity, we can all make it clear to California district attorneys that death penalty trials cost too much and threaten our safety.

(Gay lives in St. Helena.)

45 comment(s)

kevin wrote on Jun 23, 2009 4:53 AM:

" I would like to go on record as supporting the death penalty.

The State of California has my permission to "kill in my name".

I would even go so far as approving additional taxes to improve and speed up the process! "

antipc wrote on Jun 23, 2009 7:04 AM:

" We could also save that $125 mil. by finishing the job

These people you're so fond of are the worst of the worst & deserve the same treatment they willingly imposed on their victims.

The victims deserve justice & their families are entitled to closure.

We owe it to ourselves as a society to invoke the death penalty as a deterrent.

Just look at the increase in violent crime since the '60s. The bleeding heart experiment has been an abysmal failure. "

Old Time Napkin wrote on Jun 23, 2009 7:43 AM:

" The death penalty has always kept the most violent criminals from being repeat offenders. Now we should start enforcing the penalty. Sure would like to know how we would save 125 million by commuting sentences to life in prison. Where did this figure come from? "

selim wrote on Jun 23, 2009 8:19 AM:

" Thanks for giving me my first cynical laugh of the day, kevin...you oppose all taxes when they'll help people (kids, the disabled, public vaccinations, infrastructure, etc.) but you will actually volunteer more of your own money to kill someone. Hooray for priorities!

If you care to actually read some statistics from the FBI Uniform Crime Reports, you'll find that the "deterrent" properties of capital punishment simply don't exist. Show me the statistics...show me the facts (from a non-AM Talk Show news source, please) that show empirical evidence supporting the belief that the enthusiastic application of capital punishment in Texas has shown a real, tangible deterrent, and that Texas has a significantly lower violent crime rate than other states. What? You can't find that information? Probably because it doesn't exist.

I'm not talking about coddling or "forgiving" these people (and I hesitate to call these scum who are on death row "people")...I'm just being realistic. Anyone who thinks prison is a vacation is misinformed. Most people would rather die than spend the rest of their lives in prison.

And once someone is on death row, the appeals process clogs the courts, wastes millions upon millions of taxpayer dollars, and for what? Are we any safer? Is the State any better off?

No. If something isn't having the desired effect, why continue it? "

winewoman wrote on Jun 23, 2009 8:27 AM:

" "There are more than 670 men on death row in San Quentin. We have executed 13 since 1977 and four times that many have died from natural causes or suicide"

We need to step it up then - follow through. I will never vote to repeal the death penalty. Perhaps we do execute so victims families can realize justice. I don't know. I perfer to think of it as ridding society of it's defective. "

John Richards wrote on Jun 23, 2009 8:34 AM:

" The people have already spoken on the death penalty. If the process is expensive and slow, the proper solution is to streamline it. Maybe we should ask the Chinese government for some pointers... "

NAPANATIVE wrote on Jun 23, 2009 8:39 AM:

" KEVIN...I am in total and utter agreeance with you! Thank you for letting our voices be heard!!!!! "

nightwatchman wrote on Jun 23, 2009 9:25 AM:

" "I would even go so far as approving additional taxes to improve and speed up the process!"

It says a lot about someone when they would only approve of paying higher taxes in order to kill more people. "

OU now wrote on Jun 23, 2009 9:57 AM:

" One of the biggest problems I see with abolishment of the death penalty is what Gov. Jerry Brown did in the 70's. Now Chas. Manson gets a parole hearing every few years. Archie Faine was turned back out to rape and murder again. The death penalty is not murder, It is cleaning the gene pool. Crime breeds crime and our government cannot be trusted to keep these people away from us, or not to spread their offspring into this world. If death were given out for more crimes, you would see a drop in rape, child molestaion, violent hate crimes, and murder. Why worry about the feelings or life of a person who made a choice to hurt others? I could go along with no more death penalty IF I could know for sure they would spend the rest of their life in a 8x10 without human contact (to me, this would be worse than death) but the next "Jerry Brown" would give them parole dates. "

a teacher wrote on Jun 23, 2009 10:11 AM:

" "Just look at the increase in violent crime since the '60s. The bleeding heart experiment has been an abysmal failure. "

Not according to the DOJ:

"http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/glance/tables/viortrdtab.htm"

Although violent crime ebbs and flows, the overall violent crime rate is going down. It is less than half of what it was in the 70's. "

GOP Member wrote on Jun 23, 2009 10:39 AM:

" It’s too bad that Janis Gay couldn’t visit a few of the crime scenes that put these animals on death row, it might change her mind.

Antipc is right! Finishing the job is where the real money is to be saved. "

old_napan52 wrote on Jun 23, 2009 10:47 AM:

" I would have to agree with Janis here…the death penalty as a deterrent to violent crime works about as well as the Register’s monthly DUI lists do in deterring drinking and driving. The U.S. has the highest incidence of murder anywhere in the civilized world and there are several studies that would indicate murders rates actually increase in states where the death penalty is embraced. Several states without the death penalty have been deemed safer for law enforcement officers as well where statistics show a lower number of deaths among police officers during enforcement actions. The fact is, there are many civilized countries around the globe where the murder rates are almost non-existent that aggressively oppose the death penalty. I strongly believe that when we kill people, even under the guise of a societal mandate, we become hard pressed to separate ourselves from the accused. Just hold up the mirror and take a good long look. "

Sickothis wrote on Jun 23, 2009 11:08 AM:

" News from the Dutch justice ministry that the crime rate is so low that it will close eight prisons and cut 1,200 jobs.

In California, federal judges have ordered the California prison system to reduce overcrowding by as many as 55,000 inmates within three years so the state can provide a constitutional level of medical and mental health care to the remaining prisoners. California has the nation's largest prison system with 150,000 inmates, or more than 12 times that of the Netherlands.

There is no death penalty in Holland, drugs are decriminalized and prostitution is legal. "

why wrote on Jun 23, 2009 11:25 AM:

" We could also cut down on the cost if more citizens were able to carry guns. Less crime period and for those who attemp to rob or kill someone in a home maybe killed themselves therefore never making it to prison therefore less crowding, less costs and CO's being safer due to less crowding which means less overtime it just keeps on going. "

pharper wrote on Jun 23, 2009 11:26 AM:

" OU now, that's not really true. yes, children of violent criminals (especially those who abuse their families) are more likely to grow up and commit crimes or to abuse their own families, but saying "crime breeds crime" is a falsehood. For example, Richard Kuklinski's children are all, to the best of anyone's knowledge, pretty normal. Killing a person doesn't prevent their genes from spreading, anyway. Most of the people on death row are not young, which gives them plenty of time to have had a family, including children.

If that's really your concern, what say you about a new British program that "tracks and targets" the children of criminals? Wouldn't that be more effective than just killing their fathers? (I'm playing devil's advocate here; I don't support that program). "

OU now wrote on Jun 23, 2009 12:14 PM:

" p.harper .....We are both right, genes do play a part in who we are, but does not condem one to a life of crime. And children from abusive families can grow to good citizens. But a study was done on the children born from rapes. The percentage that grew up to be rapist was very high compaired to non rape. You like to read, study cell memory. I really don't feel it's science yet, but should be studied more. The last post was really more about not trusting the state to keep them off the street. In the late 70's a man (singleton?) was released from prison(rape) picked up a teen ,raped and cut off her arms with a ax. I really don't believe death is a deterrent to most,and it really can't relieve the suffering of the victims families. I could very well live without it if I could trust the state. When I was young, I thought all people could change. After being involved with the DOC and intervewing inmates, observing them and reviewing.I KNOW there is evil and it must be kept out of society. "

TAXPAYER wrote on Jun 23, 2009 12:43 PM:

" Do away with the prison system.
After sentencing it should be death, horse whippings or a fine.

Have a nice day. "

antipc wrote on Jun 23, 2009 1:18 PM:

" Since we're talking about Ca teach. This link is more appropriate.

http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/cacrime.htm

Too many of these animals have zero chance of rehabilitation. We've tried the liberal way, so lets get the show on the road. Execute one a day until death row is empty & I'll guarantee positive results. "

TAXPAYER wrote on Jun 23, 2009 2:53 PM:

" Antipc, maybe we can volunteer our services. You can take out the ones up close and I will take out the longer shots. "

vocal-de-local wrote on Jun 23, 2009 3:04 PM:

" I don't agree with the death penalty either, but if these people remain in prison, they should be confined to a truly punitive prison. Those on death row should be transferred to a prison which is designated only for death row prisoners. They should receive the most basic of foods such as oatmeal for breakfast and wheat cereal for dinner. No meat, no milk products, no sweeteners, no coffee or tea or soda. Perhaps a glass of orange juice will be allowed to prevent scurvy. Basically it should be a place where they are warehoused until they die naturally.

They should not be allowed any television, any recreation, any fitness equipment. Basically they will be provided the most basic of needs just to survive.

They have a choice. If they don't like it they can opt for capital punishment. Because it is their choice, they cannot challenge it legally.

This optional "punitive" prison must differ significantly enough from other prisons to instill fear in those who commit serious crimes. It should be the most boring, tasteless place on earth. "

fmmt47 wrote on Jun 23, 2009 3:35 PM:

" How can the state of Texas be so effective in enforcing the death penalty and the state of California be so inept?
The death penalty guarantees one thing:
That the convicted murderer never will be able to kill again. "

Raven wrote on Jun 23, 2009 4:48 PM:

" fmmt47, the FBI's stats show California has a larger drop in homicide rates than texas....2.9 per100k versus 2.1 "

a teacher wrote on Jun 23, 2009 5:00 PM:

" So, antiPC, if you look at the website you referenced you will see that the murder, violent and other stats on that page show exactly what I said.

The violent crime rate is half what it was in the 70's. It has dropped sharply from the more recent crime spree that peaked in the early 90's.

Thanks for clarifying my point with Calfornia statistics. "

JustMy$.02 wrote on Jun 23, 2009 5:09 PM:

" Vocal - Basically it should be a place where they are warehoused until they die naturally.

This is what bothers me, not only will we taxpayers put food in the above mouth every day, but if he or she needs a liver transplant they may actually take one from an honest person who has done anything against society.

And, honestly, if the criminal is NEVER going to see the outside of a prison, isnt it INHUMAN to house them for decades?
And for what purpose are we housing them? So we can feel good about ourselves?

Does it really matter if we bury them tomorrow or 4 decades from now if they are NEVER getting out anyway? Lets save ourselves 4 decades worth of meals at taxpayers expense.

Again, if the criminal is NEVER getting out . . . "

antipc wrote on Jun 23, 2009 5:38 PM:

" Taxpayer, why do you get all of the fun? "

kevin wrote on Jun 23, 2009 5:50 PM:

" It DOES say alot about someone, dreamweaver. Thank you.

And you are absolutely correct fmmt47.

Not ONE executed murderer has EVER committed another crime!

Can't argue with a success rate of 100%. "

antipc wrote on Jun 23, 2009 7:52 PM:

" Teach, my post included the '60s which your link conveniently left out.

Just wondering why?

The '60s is when the liberal point of view started acknowledging criminals rights over the victims rights.

History is relevant. "

Raven wrote on Jun 23, 2009 8:30 PM:

" and history shows us antipc, that the 1) crime rate is down and 2) the states without the death penalty have lower homicide rates than those with the death penalty. "

a teacher wrote on Jun 23, 2009 9:30 PM:

" "Teach, my post included the '60s which your link conveniently left out.

Just wondering why?"

Because crime in the 60's was relatively low compared to the 70's which was much higher. Your statement is that violent crime has risen since the 60's, which by your own sources, is not true. Violent crime did indeed rise in the 60's, but it was at it's all time high in the 80's and early 90's,more conservative times. Violent crime has dropped precipitously since 1992.

The fact that your statistics had the 60's in it proves nothing since you don't have the years prior to the 60's. For all you know, crime decreased from the 50's. "

notalwaysright wrote on Jun 23, 2009 9:33 PM:

" We should make the death penalty faster. the problem is they still sit in prison for 30 years before execution...
conviction, next day death penalty.
No 30 yr wait. "

napa123 wrote on Jun 23, 2009 10:46 PM:

" i would rather pay more taxes for something that needs to be done not only for the families of the victims, but for the community; so a killed doesn't get out and continue to kill! At least our tax dollars would be going to something benificial, not to someone who isn't legal, or doesn't want to work so they claim our tax dollars and stay at home all day with top of the line stuff! heck ya i would pay more taxes to keep our state safer! "

napa1957 wrote on Jun 23, 2009 11:10 PM:

" If you are sentenced to death, then that is what should happen. Not in 10, 15, 20 + years, at considerable cost to we taxpayers. Reasonable appeal perhaps, without a shadow of doubt for sure. With today's forensics and DNA evidence, the sentencing of an innocent person to death is considerably less likely to happen than in the past. I think that jurys, if they knew the death sentence was real, and would be carried out soon after sentencing, would be absolutely sure of their verdict. The cost to house someone on death row is how many times a yearly salary for an elementary school teacher who can help shape the future in positive ways. That's tax money spent in a good way. "

OU now wrote on Jun 24, 2009 7:37 AM:

" To all you who want to shoot them yourself..Have you ever killed before? Have you ever seen the eyes when the brain fills with blood? Death is burden, you can't bring a life back if you have regrets. The death penalty does cost too much, That will never change. But what can change is how we house inmates. We can house farm labor for $12 per day(less than $5.000 per year) we can do better than 40K on inmates. Prision should be just that. Prision! On a 5 year sentence the first should be isolated from inmate contact. The next 3 years in medium, the last year in minimum. If you blow it at any time, back to isolation. Life in prision should be should be a wherehouse of isolated units. music in all cells would be a nice touch ( classic swing). Simple food, no meds over $50 per year. You dont have to be hatefull to prisioners, just punish them, they already know all about hate. "

5th generation napan wrote on Jun 24, 2009 9:53 AM:

" Eye for an Eye.
Execute death row inmates the same way they executed their victims, its only fair! "

jjlynchjr wrote on Jun 24, 2009 10:33 AM:

" Van De Camp is right on!

Statistic currently available suggest that the death penalty is not a deterrent to violent crimes. Justice Stevens, Rees Case; www.jamesjosephlynchjr.com, statistics diagramed.

The Sheriff of Sacramento County suggested taking 300 peace officers off the streets because of the mounting budget deficit, leaving our streets defenseless against crime.

Moreover, there are more than 25000 unsolved homicides, meaning that there are killers at large and roaming our streets!

SOS – Save Our Streets. Drop the death penalty and use the saved funds to put peace officers back on the streets, and take killers running loose off the streets.

James Joseph Lynch, Jr. "

5th generation napan wrote on Jun 24, 2009 11:33 AM:

" Then what do we do with these murderes when we catch and convict them? where do they go for life? I am basically a peaceful guy, but there is no place in society for a murderer! And why should they live a happy life, feed, free of stress and worry taken care of, when their victims, family and friends live woundering what potential of life was lost that could have benifited society. I see very "few" reformed productive citizens that help society come out of death row. It is not wrong to remove a preditor from society! "

Firewater wrote on Jun 25, 2009 8:19 AM:

" After watching trials for years an following all the crimes especially against little children, raping an murdering them. I totally believe in the Death Penalty..Our problem is they sit way too long on Death Row. If we start executing them it will send a Signal.."We do not allow people to murder especially our little children that never got a chance to LIVE"..My niece was murdered and that SOB sits in prison and can come up for Parole..Where is the JUSTICE??.
We need to start getting rid of the scum of the earth. "

Two Cents wrote on Jun 25, 2009 8:38 AM:

" I am in full support of the death penalty.
As someone already stated, its a 100% guarantee that person will never commit another crime!
In this economy when prison and jails are full, its time to start enforcing the dealth penalty, not think about ending it.
If you were given the death penalty, your crime must have been pretty severe. No mercy for those people in my mind.
We need to follow Texas.. California has gotten out of control with bleeding heart liberals.
In Texas, someone steps on your property, you have the right to arm and protect yourself. PERIOD. Here in California, you have to prove that they were in your house to harm you, otherwise, YOU are looking at doing some time... its RIDICULOUS.
EXECUTE those on Death Row immediately, Im tired of paying for them to have 3 meals a day and dozens of appeals lasting over 30 years. "

vocal-de-local wrote on Jun 25, 2009 1:30 PM:

" I don't believe the primary costs come from criminals "sitting" on death row but come from the legal system fighting cases. "

diehard4ever wrote on Jun 27, 2009 4:28 PM:

" 5th generation napan-
I completely agree.

Does anyone know the price of the cheapest bullet?

It shouldn't cost 45K per year to house one of these guys! They can live of off water and bread... a carrot if they're good... Prisons should be as simple as tents surrounded by barbed wire electric fences. The soldiers in Iraq live in tents, and they didn't do anything wrong. "

John Richards wrote on Jun 27, 2009 11:53 PM:

" vocal-de-local wrote: ' Those on death row should be transferred to a prison which is designated only for death row prisoners. They should receive the most basic of foods such as oatmeal for breakfast and wheat cereal for dinner. No meat, no milk products, no sweeteners, no coffee or tea or soda."

That's easily arranged. Simply outsource their imprisonment to Mexico. Mexico would probably do it a lot cheaper too. "

Shrapnal wrote on Jun 29, 2009 10:44 AM:

" All those found guilty by eye-witnesses or DNA evidence should be executed immediately. What is the point of our "justice" system if death penalty means life in prison? SAVE THE MONEY AND KILL EM OFF. At least they have the luxury of knowing when they'd die, which is more kindness any of them showed to their victims "

luvmynapa wrote on Jun 30, 2009 9:10 PM:

" My family was among the first victims of Justice Rose Bird's efforts to rescind the death penalty. Since then, we have endured more parole hearings than I care to count.

Our daughter/sister/cousin and her unborn child (8 1/2 months gestation) was tortured and murdered along with 4 others. We face up to three parole hearings per year. It has been 40 years since our loss, yet we relive it regularly.

It has affected us, our relationships, the way we raised our children, and the way we view every stranger we encounter. We are guarded and fast to respond to a perceived threat. We weren't always that way.

Taxpayer money? If we followed through with the death sentence much money could be saved. We could use it to rehab those who actually have a chance.

Heinous crime against INNOCENT people should carry the death penalty. Send them on to where God can judge their hearts. We sure can't. "

John Richards wrote on Jun 30, 2009 9:38 PM:

" "The soldiers in Iraq live in tents..."

Yep, and no air conditioning, daily showers, or TV either. "

Al gray's grandson wrote on Jul 3, 2009 6:47 PM:

" forget saving 125 mil. it cost us tax payers more than $46,000 each a year to support these criminals. If it was your Mother, daughter,Grandmother, son, husband,wife,brother,sister or "lover" that was murderd, raped or molested, would you think they should be living? Actually living a good life with rights,cable tv,maid service, free med. and dental,smoking,free gym membership,free counceling,free live in cook oh and dish washer and to many more to list. Man, the life of crime does'nt look to bad. Ohhhh... thats why more than 85% of felons return to prison from the tough life on the streets. Like John Richards said (above)they live way better than our soldiers fighting for our country and freedom! "

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