"Proposal to speed up death penalty appeals is troubling," is the editorial published by the Montgomery Advertiser.
Of all the facets of the judicial system, surely nothing is more dangerous, more horrifying, than the prospect of executing an innocent person.
It is the ultimate error, the one mistake beyond any hope of human correction.
That is why we are deeply concerned by Attorney General Luther Strange’s proposed legislation to accelerate the appeals process in death penalty cases, and why we urge the Legislature to weigh this measure with the utmost care.
Although it is easy to point to long delays in carrying out death sentences and easier still to sympathize with the loved ones of victims, the state nonetheless has a solemn obligation in these cases.
As great as the obligation for scrupulously careful, responsible conduct in depriving individuals of liberty in other criminal cases is, the moral obligation in capital punishment cases is immeasurably greater.
And:
The prospect of error in death penalty cases is not a far-fetched fear. As a 2012 study found, there have been numerous documented cases in recent years, including six in Alabama, in which persons sentenced to death and awaiting execution have been exonerated.
Anything that smacks of haste in capital punishment cases is inherently troubling. This is a difficult issue for the Legislature to tackle, especially in an election year, when emotion and political expediency can form a dangerous combination. If there was ever a time for sober, somber, serious debate of an issue, with an unblinking recognition of what is really at stake, surely this is it.
"Defense lawyers oppose change to Ala. death penalty appeals," is the AP report filed by Jay Reeves. It's via the Pensacola News-Journal.
Capital defense lawyers in Alabama are opposing Attorney General Luther Strange’s plan to streamline appeals in death penalty cases, a change they say could result in the execution of innocent people.
Strange, county prosecutors and victim advocates contend appeals last too long under the current system, and they are supporting reform legislation in the session beginning Tuesday.
But two lawyers who often handle capital cases said time-consuming work is needed to ensure that death row inmates were convicted and sentenced properly before they are put to death.
Bryan Stevenson, director of the Montgomery-based Equal Justice Initiative, said proposed changes would result in less reliable death sentencing. Attorney Richard Jaffe of Birmingham said multiple steps are needed to make sure lawyers do their jobs right and evidence is correct.
Earlier coverage from Alabama begins at the link.
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