A former Texas governor says it's time for the state to rethink the death penalty.
Mark White was involved with 20 executions as a state attorney general and governor. In an interview with the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News, the veteran Democrat says the death penalty no longer deters murder.
He says the long delays between convictions and executions means there is no swift justice. He also says he's increasingly concerned that the law isn't administered fairly and that the risk of putting innocent people to death is too great.
His comment come at a time when Texas Gov. Rick Perry is under criticism for replacing member of the Texas Forensics Commission. That delayed consideration of a report questioning the 2004 execution of Cameron Todd Willingham.
Now it's official. When someone like this comes out questioning the death penalty, things are definitely moving in the right direction - against capital punishment.
What's your opinion? Is the former governor saying that we need to rethink the policy because it's not longer a deterrent? He does mention that little problem of executing innocent people, but I had the impression if "swift justice" could be had he'd still be in favor of it. He is from Texas, after all.
What's your opinion? Does this put additional pressure in the current governor? Where's this leading?
Please leave a comment.
