Governor Bill Richardson has written a very thoughtful explanation of why he decided to sign the bill to abolish the death penalty yesterday.
Perhaps I am so moved by it because his essential reason, that the criminal justice system cannot be depended upon to make this decision without flaws, is mine.
Having been a criminal defense lawyer, I have seen the inside of the criminal justice system. There are, of course, the many honest and hard working participants. But I have seen with my own eyes the incompetent or indifferent criminal defense attorneys, the manipulation or misrepresentation of evidence by police and prosecutors, perjury by government witnesses, vindictiveness by prosecutors, and judges of incomprehensible arrogance and blind unfairness.
Bravo, Bill Richardson!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
New Mexico abolishes the Death Penalty
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