NYT editorial: A Long Time Coming; New Jersey abolishes the death penalty

[DeepModem Mom]

A Long Time Coming
Published: December 15, 2007

It took 31 years, but the moral bankruptcy, social imbalance, legal impracticality and ultimate futility of the death penalty has finally penetrated the consciences of lawmakers in one of the 37 states that arrogates to itself the right to execute human beings.

This week, the New Jersey Assembly and Senate passed a law abolishing the death penalty, and Gov. Jon Corzine, a staunch opponent of execution, promised to sign the measure very soon. That will make New Jersey the first state to strike the death penalty from its books since the Supreme Court set guidelines for the nation’s system of capital punishment three decades ago.

Some lawmakers voted out of principled opposition to the death penalty. Others felt that having the law on the books without enforcing it (New Jersey has had a moratorium on executions since 2006) made a mockery of their argument that it has deterrent value. Whatever the motivation of individual legislators, by forsaking a barbaric practice that grievously hurts the global reputation of the United States without advancing public safety, New Jersey has set a worthy example for the federal government, and for other states that have yet to abandon the creaky, error-prone machinery of death.

New Jersey’s decision to replace the death penalty with a sentence of life without parole seems all the wiser coming in the middle of a month that has already seen the convictions of two people formerly on death row in other states repudiated. In one case, the defendant was found not guilty following a new trial....

***

In a sense, the practical impact of New Jersey’s action may be largely symbolic. Although there are eight people on New Jersey’s death row, the moratorium was in place, and the state has not put anyone to death since 1963. Nevertheless, it took political courage for lawmakers to join with Governor Corzine. Their renunciation of the death penalty could prick the conscience of elected officials in other states and inspire them to muster the courage to revisit their own laws on capital punishment.

At least that is our fervent hope.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/15/opinion/15sat1.html

[frazzled]

1. Hallelujah, and may the other states follow

Because, you know, torture is only one aspect of our loss of moral authority in this country. Our public discussion of justice has been reduced to some perverse notion of biblical revenge. States should not take life in cold blood, period. It's the 21st century, let's get with the rest of the civilized world.

[rosetta6]

2. Excellent. Good for NJ.

Until the criminal justice system is truly just, and can be trusted not to target african americans and poor folks, I can't support the death penalty.

[DeepModem Mom]

3. Wise words, rosetta6 -- welcome to DU!!!

[flashl]

5. Great post.

[Briar]

4. Bravo! n/t