"Time to Kill the Death Penalty," is the column by Susan Bruce in the Conway Daily Sun.
The bulk of executions in the United States take place in the south. Texas leads the way, having executed over 500 people since 1976. During that same time period there was precisely one execution in New England. It was in Connecticut. Yet despite this execution zeal, any one of the New England states have far less violent crime than any of the top execution states.
New Hampshire is consistently ranked as one of the safest states to live in. Given that we haven’t executed anyone since 1939, it’s safe to say that the death penalty isn’t what makes us safer. The group that has come together in opposition to capital punishment is impressively diverse. It’s time for New Hampshire to join the rest of our civilized New England brethren, and repeal the death penalty.
"My uncle was murdered and I'm pro-death penalty," is a letter to the editor by Vicky Haskell at SeaCoast Online.
In regard to (State Rep. Renny) Cushing's letter against the death penalty, I certainly respect his opinion, because he has been there, too.
In 1992, my uncle, Woody Haskell, was murdered in Seabrook at his jewelry store and I (a liberal) stand fully behind the death penalty. The horror and torture that families, friends, co-workers and neighbors go through after their loved one is murdered is a life-altering change that if proven beyond a reasonable doubt, needs to be dealt with in a just manner. Honestly, there is no closure and healing is not truly possible, but knowing that the monster is dead and cannot be set free helps. I did not even start to heal until I was sure the man who killed my Uncle Woody was dead.
Lawrence Ronco is my boogeyman and luckily, he is dead. Kelly Ayotte was the prosecutor for the state, and she made promises that were never kept.
Earlier coverage from New Hampshire begins at the link.
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