The Connecticut legislature decided to postpone repealing the death penalty until 2012.
That means one more year of failing victims’ families, risking sentencing innocent people to death, and wasting taxpayer dollars.
All the ingredients were there to make repeal a reality this year. There was support in the Senate. There was more than enough support in the House. The Governor was ready to sign it. Thousands of Connecticut citizens called on their lawmakers to support repeal. Dozens of families of murder victims brought their broken hearts and passionate stories to the capitol to share how the system failed them. Religious leaders, members of law enforcement testified and were in support of repealing the death penalty. The media was reporting repeal was a “done deal” for months.
So why is there still a death penalty in Connecticut?
At the 11th hour, two Senators who support repeal decided to wait until next year, because of the pleas of one family. Like the death penalty itself, the repeal debate in Connecticut elevated one voice, the heinousness of one case, to drown out all the others.
We know the system is harmful to victims’ families regardless of whether they support or oppose the death penalty. People may disagree on the solutions, but no one thinks it is working the way it is.
So we will continue to advocate for the repeal of the death penalty in Connecticut. Together we will continue to raise our voice. Together we can make a difference!
Thank you to all who contacted their legislators during these months. Our advocacy efforts will continue during 2012!
For more information: National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty www.ncadp.org
CT Network to Abolish the Death Penalty http://www.cnadp.org/