Debate Continues Over Connecticut Death Penalty
HARTFORD, CT (CBSNewYork) - Recently, the two men convicted of the horrific Cheshire home invasion murders were sentenced to death. But now the debate is raging over whether to remove the death penalty from the books in Connecticut.
WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau On The Story
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Joseph "Mad Dog" Taborsky was the last murderer to be forcibly put to death in the state, and that was 52 years ago.
Serial killer Michael Ross was executed in 2005, be he waived all appeals and literally begged for death.
William Tuthill, former deputy commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Corrections, says with 11 men now on death row, the long wait for justice is proof that the law is ineffective.
"We don't it very well. It's applied inconsistently. It's applied in a way that's discriminatory. It doesn't work," he told WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau on Wednesday..
St. Sen. John Kissel, who represents northern Connecticut, where many of the prisons are located, is among those arguing to keep the law.
Not only is it justice served for those who kill, he says, but the law itself provides states attorneys with a valuable tool in prosecuting murderers.
Gov. Dan Malloy has said he would sign any repeal into law that affects future cases but does not affect the 11 men currently on death row.
Where do you stand on the death penalty? Sound off in the comments section below!
