Public Opinion and the Death Penalty

by Matt Kelley · 2009-05-28 07:46:00 UTC
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A bill to abolish the death penalty is before Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell (above), and she has made it clear that she intends to veto it. A campaign urging her to change her mind and sign the bill is ongoing - Dead Man Walking author Sister Helen Prejean is expected to speak at a press conference today.

But that campaign was dealt a blow yesterday by a new Quinnipiac poll: 61% of Connecticut voters support capital punishment. Should to Governor listen to the people, or is it more important to end this inhumane and unjust practice?

Public opinion is one of the thorniest issues for those of us opposed to the death penalty. Do I really think I know better than 61% of the population? No. Do I think Rell should be a leader and make an unpopular decision that will be favored by history? Yes.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson decided to shift his position and sign a law abolishing the death penalty this year, despite popular support for capital punishment in his state. If the majority supports an unjust government practice, it is the duty of an elected official to use his or her discretion to stop this practice.

Rell is also charged with balancing the state's budget - if you asked voters how to spend the state's money, they'd pull you in a thousand directions. Connecticut has spent millions of dollars on capital trials since 1976 - and it has executed one person. There are 10 people of death row, some have been there for more than two decades.

If you agree with me on this issue, take action today. Click here to tell Gov. Rell that you support replacing the death penalty with life in prison.

Matt Kelley is the Online Communications Manager at the Innocence Project and a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Follow him on Twitter @mattjkelley.
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