Jul 01 2008
Report Calls California’s Death Penalty “Dysfunctional”
GUEST: Bill Babbitt, Board of Directors of Murder Victim Families for Human Rights, John Holdridge, Director of the ACLU Capital Punishment Project
The California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice released a report on the state’s capital punishment system yesterday calling it “dysfunctional.” The comprehensive 116 page analysis called for reforms aimed at reducing the crimes punishable by death, establishing a review panel, and improving the appeals process. Though the report warned that the state’s execution system might “fall of its own weight,” the Commission fell short of advocating the abolishment of the death penalty. It did note, however, that by doing away with capital punishment and commuting sentences to life in prison without the possibility of parole, the state would save $100 million annually. Meanwhile, the Federal Supreme Court has shaped the national debate with two recent rulings on the death penalty. In April, Justices ruled in response to a legal challenge that lethal injection does not constitute cruel and unusual punishment as outlined by the eighth amendment. The state of Florida resumed executions by the method when an inmate was put to death earlier today. The high court also ruled more recently last week that death sentences for child rapists constituted a disproportionate punishment for the crime.
Read the California Commission online at ccfaj.org/rr-dp-official.html.
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