"Let father of slain prison guard make case for sparing killer's life," is the editorial in today's Denver Post.
The father of a corrections officer who was beaten to death deserves a chance to tell a jury why the prisoner accused of murder should be spared the death penalty.
Victims have the right to be heard, and jurors can be trusted to weigh the evidence and law in coming to their decision.
And:
Autobee's lawyer told the judge it was not unconstitutional for him to ask for mercy.
"He has already lost his son," said Iris Eytan. "Why does he have to lose his voice?"
Exactly.
Coloradoans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty has started a Chage.org petition in support of the Autobee family's wish to testify. You can add your name to the petition.
Earlier coverage of Bob Autobee begins at the link.
Let me add an AP report from last week, "Slain Colorado guard family fights to speak at trial." it's via the Denver Post.
Relatives of a prison guard killed by an inmate over a decade ago are fighting for the chance to testify about their opposition to the death penalty.
Lawyers for Eric Autobee's family are scheduled to make their case to a judge in Castle Rock Thursday. District Attorney George Brauchler plans to seek the death penalty for Edward Montour if he's convicted.
Autobee's family argues they have a right to testify during the penalty phase about how executing Montour would affect them. Brauchler says the law bars victims from testifying about their opinion on the death penalty because it would interfere with the jury's job of determining a sentence.
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