Death Penalty Bill

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By Madelyn Jarrett

Story Published: Mar 2, 2009 at 11:00 PM MST

Story Updated: Mar 3, 2009 at 7:11 AM MST

HELENA - The Colosseum in Rome was lit up Monday night in celebration of Montana's efforts to abolish the death penalty. The State Senate passed the bill last week that would replace the death penalty with life in prison without the possibility of parole.

A group called the Community of Saint Egidio and the Council of Rome have called for the celebratory lighting. They usually acknowledge the abolition of the death penalty anywhere with the lighting, but this is the first time it's being done before the process is finished.

"Montana is unique and because of our independent attitudes in Montana, if abolition occurs here, it sets the stage for abolition in other parts of the united states," says Moe Wosepka, president of the Montana Abolition Coalition.

Wosepka says he thinks the recognition by this group will help with the bill's passage. The House Judiciary Committee will hear the bill on March 25th.

Tuesday, Mar 3 at 6:37 AM j wrote ...

This is insane..some people like murder's and child molesters need and should be put down!

Tuesday, Mar 3 at 6:50 AM Anonymous wrote ...

so what this bill would do is cost the good, tax paying citizens of this state, alot money to tell criminals your guilty and cannot be punished to the fullest extent because we do not believe in a eye for a eye.

Tuesday, Mar 3 at 10:43 AM a wrote ...

This crazy....why on earth would anyone have compassion for these people. They don't value life why should we be the ones to value theres. This will just cost the tax payers more money! Eye FOR AN EYE PEOPLE!

Tuesday, Mar 3 at 12:38 PM RickD wrote ...

To "a" and others: and another eye for another eye, until all the world is blind? If you were to wish to see the rest of Deuteronomy upheld, there would be around-the-clock executions of people who are guilty of less-than-capital crimes. To "j": is that all murderers, or just the less intelligent, less well-represented ones who are those most commonly found to be the ones who get the needle? The death penalty is an outdated symbol not a solution for 21st century crime and punishment discussions

Tuesday, Mar 3 at 2:57 PM Fred wrote ...

Death penality is not about payback but consequenses for your actions. Meirhofer stalked the fam, wated till 2AM,cut the tent,took the girl.burned the body. Pre-meditated yes. Forgive, yes But he deserved FULL hand of the Law..Too bad that he took his own life, If you blantily disreguard the law that protects us you DESERVE the consequense. Stand up for the victum and not the evel one. The lawman-woman does not carry the gun for fun...or would you take that away too?

Tuesday, Mar 3 at 3:23 PM wdw wrote ...

please keep the death penalty. anyone who gets that far along in their criminality, that they're sentenced to death for their deeds absolutely need to be executed. we lawabiding citizens don't need to feed and fatten the perps any more than one minute. please, lawmakers, get to doing something for all montanans and earn your keep.

Tuesday, Mar 3 at 4:08 PM Chris wrote ...

To the people who say that people in opposition to the death penalty some how condone criminal behavior: It is not compassion for them and their misdeeds, it is the recognition that we are responsible for taking a human life. And...Hi? We make mistakes. I will not be responsible for the death of an innocent person. Let's work on perfecting the legal system instead of knocking people off like they were vermin.

Tuesday, Mar 3 at 6:43 PM j wrote ...

to rick d..i don't really care how "intelligent" these people are,what do you suppose we do with them..that's right ..let them stay in prison so ALL of us can pay for them to have 3 meals ,t.v.an education,gym and whatever else they may whine about..i say GOOD RIDDENS TO THOSE PEOPLE.

Tuesday, Mar 3 at 7:41 PM M wrote ...

If someone were to, for instance, kidnap, rape, and slowly murder your child you think he deserves to sit in prison for the rest of his life while we pay for it. I think certain crimes deserve the death penalty. This is insane!!

Friday, Mar 6 at 5:24 PM RMS wrote ...

Life without parole is a LESS expensive than the death penalty, because these cases MUST be appealed repeatedly at taxpayer's expense to make sure we don't kill an innocent person, which still happens nonetheless. For all practical purposes, due to the lengthy appeals process, most death row inmates end up serving life sentences without parole. It's not a matter of punishment whether to be incarcerated for life or be murdered by the state, it is justice.

Sunday, Mar 8 at 3:12 PM Denalie Bruins wrote ...

Let's take the high road - the higher frequency which happens to be healing and spiritual health that leads to peace. More violence begets more violence. We can balance justice and accountability; we don't have to have more blood shed. Blood on anyone's hands does not lead to a more peaceful, civilized existence. We can ban this barbaric act of the death penalty. We can show the world we here in the GREAT State of Montana can take a higher, healthier, more peaceful road.

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