The Republic | azcentral.com
(Editor’s note: Opinion pieces are posted only for purposes of discussion.)
What if Arizona repealed the death penalty? We asked two experts
Related: Inmate Executions: Death by 45 cuts: Rose Law Group Reporter Gripe of the Week
Repealing would be positive:
By The Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
Pope Francis has done an excellent job of reminding the world to respect the human life and dignity of each person. He realizes that there are many injustices today and that we are called to halt them wherever possible.
Like other parts of the world, Arizona is not immune from the prevailing cultural influences devaluing respect for human life from the moment of conception until natural death.
No justification in repeal
By Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery
Other than ending one debate and appeasing opponents of capital punishment, there is not much to justify repealing the death penalty. We would not see reduced criminal justice system costs nor diminished litigation. Defendants would simply shift from trying to avoid a death sentence to seeking to avoid a life sentence.
Defendants would use the same arguments and experts to advocate against life sentences and object to incarceration for the rest of their lives. There would be no cost savings for litigation because defendants would have all the time necessary to file motions attacking their convictions and sentences as they do now.
