Death Penalty rears it's head in CT Governor's race

[Kevin]

The death penalty is making a comeback as a big issue in Connecticut. In the wake of the home invasion, murder, and rape trial of Stephen Hayes and his accomplice. In which a Cheshire family was targeted and brutally killed  in part by Hayes.

The question was appropriately brought up at a CT gubernatorial debate the other night, and featured prominently in the discussion, both during the debate and after it. Especially since Dan Malloy is an opponent of the death penalty.

http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct2=us%2F0_0_s_1_0_t&usg=AFQjCNF6LjsdjjHyH9qzeIaMScxYjVNZvQ&cid=17593807508490&ei=OYeuTNHeOY6ClAfWhIUk&rt=STORY&vm=STANDARD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.courant.com%2Fnews%2Fconnecticut%2Fhc-death-penalty-1004-20101002%2C0%2C5801579.story


http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct2=us%2F0_0_s_0_0_t&usg=AFQjCNEXK23U4n3DwnVpmw3AH6S_EjgJjw&cid=17593807508490&ei=OYeuTNHeOY6ClAfWhIUk&rt=STORY&vm=STANDARD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.courant.com%2Fcapitol_watch%2F2010%2F10%2Fcheshire-murder-trial-dannel-m.html

[Beet]

Um Kevin, you might want to tag your link. It's kind of ruining the thread right now.

[Franzl]

One of the best non-issues (like abortion) that distract from more important things. Shame people actually base their decisions on stuff like this...

[Beet]

One of the best non-issues (like abortion) that distract from more important things. Shame people actually base their decisions on stuff like this...

Really? What are more important things? I mean, it's not the issue, but it is a matter of life or death. I read about this story outside the context of politics and my immediate reaction is that it is a perfect tailor made crime for the death penalty. Having the option available also gave the prosecutors a lot more leverage. For example, both defendants agreed to plead guilty for life sentences. In other cases, when there is a murder but the body is missing, the suspect may be induced to confess and lead police to the body site in exchange for prosecutors not seeking the death penalty.

[Franzl]

Yes it's a matter of life and death.....but we're still talking about just one person. (Or at least very few people, it's not like Connecticut is known for executing a lot of people......and even in Texas we're talking about, what, 20-30 people a year maybe?).

My point is....sure, you can have an opinion on whether the death penalty should be abolished or maintained......but it seems like a discussion over this kind of things serves to distract from more important economic matters. (And it's a lot easier for most voters to have an opinion on capital punishment on which to base their votes than to even attempt to understand a lot of things that are more relevant, but also much more difficult to understand.)

[cinyc]

In the first Senate debate, Blumenthal and McMahon were asked whether they supported the death penalty in light of the Cheshire home invasion case, too.  Both said they support the death penalty.  Malloy is the odd-man-out of the major statewide candidates.

This issue is in the front of Connecticut residents' minds right now, with the death penalty phase for one of the defendants who was found guilty of committing that horrific crime starting up in a few weeks - and expected to last through the election.  Malloy claimed he wouldn't change the law retroactively, but he's still on the wrong side of the issue politically right now.

Plus, it's extremely relevant because the Democratic-dominated legislature has passed a death penalty abolition bill in recent sessions, which was vetoed by Republican Governor Rell.  If Malloy becomes governor, the death penalty will be abolished.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Yes it's a matter of life and death.....but we're still talking about just one person. (Or at least very few people, it's not like Connecticut is known for executing a lot of people.......

Connecticut has only executed one person since the 70s.

[Franzl]

It's sad that voters can be driven to support a particular candidate because he cares about whether one single murderer is put to death or spends the rest of his life in prison. Whichever it is.....is has a lot less effect on the voters' lives than a lot of other more important issues.

And there are a lot of legitimate reasons to oppose (or support) Malloy, I'm not saying this because I support either candidate really.....it's just that I find it sad that people seriously base their votes off this stuff.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

I don't think many do. See Virginia Governor 2005.

[Holmes]

Malloy and Foley's positions on the issue are really the only ones that matter, though. Why should it matter what Blumenthal or McMahon think? They can't do anything about it in DC.

[cinyc]

Malloy and Foley's positions on the issue are really the only ones that matter, though. Why should it matter what Blumenthal or McMahon think? They can't do anything about it in DC.

There is a federal death penalty, which a Senator could vote to abolish if he or she were so inclined.

[Ebowed]

Malloy and Foley's positions on the issue are really the only ones that matter, though. Why should it matter what Blumenthal or McMahon think? They can't do anything about it in DC.

There is a federal death penalty, which a Senator could vote to abolish if he or she were so inclined.

Federal death penalty abolition is not moving forward any time soon.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Malloy and Foley's positions on the issue are really the only ones that matter, though. Why should it matter what Blumenthal or McMahon think? They can't do anything about it in DC.

There is a federal death penalty, which a Senator could vote to abolish if he or she were so inclined.

Federal death penalty abolition is not moving forward any time soon.

Plus it makes up well under 1% of executions.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Yes it's a matter of life and death.....but we're still talking about just one person. (Or at least very few people, it's not like Connecticut is known for executing a lot of people.......

Connecticut has only executed one person since the 70s.

One (in 2005) since 1960, to be precise.