Today's Longmont Times-Call publishes the editorial, "Colorado must rethink death penalty."
Since 1973, 142 people have been released from death row in the United States because of evidence suggesting they were not guilty.
That alone should stand as an argument against the death penalty. It is without question that Americans have been executed for crimes of which they were not guilty.
If that is not enough, then consider that execution is not applied uniformly. Yet it is the punishment that leaves no room for appeal or pardon, should evidence surface that the defendant was not guilty. Poorer defendants, and minorities, are most likely to face execution.
The disparity of its application is one reason Colorado legislators could bring repeal of the state's death penalty to this year's session, as is the fact that it is rarely applied.
There is also news coverage of the preliminary hearing on James Holmes, the accused Aurora theater shooter. AP reports, "Colo. shooting suspect due back in court," via the San Francisco Chronicle.
"James Holmes preliminary hearing: Video, chilling testimony mark first day," is by John Ingold and Jessica Fender for the Denver Post.
Earlier coverage from Colorado begins at the link.
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