Death Penalty Repeal Killed In Committee, Hickenlooper Blamed
A bill that would have repealed Colorado's death penalty was killed Tuesday in a House Committee, just one week after Gov. John Hickenlooper let his Democratic colleagues know that he would likely veto the bill if it reached his desk.
According to a report by The Denver Post, Hickenlooper began hinting at a veto last week at a Democratic luncheon.
Rep. Claire Levy, D-Boulder, a co-sponsor of House Bill 1264, expressed open frustration with the bill's failure to advance.
"I think had the governor not signaled so strongly he wouldn't sign the bill, I think we would have had those votes," said Levy.
Death Penalty Repeal Killed In Committee, Hickenlooper Blamed
A bill that would have repealed Colorado's death penalty was killed Tuesday in a House Committee, just one week after Gov. John Hickenlooper let his Democratic colleagues know that he would likely veto the bill if it reached his desk.
According to a report by The Denver Post, Hickenlooper began hinting at a veto last week at a Democratic luncheon.
Rep. Claire Levy, D-Boulder, a co-sponsor of House Bill 1264, expressed open frustration with the bill's failure to advance.
"I think had the governor not signaled so strongly he wouldn't sign the bill, I think we would have had those votes," said Levy.
So why not advance the legislation just because it is likely to be vetoed if it's the right thing to do? I'm sure that the Democrats in the General Assembly would tell us that Coloradoans overwhelmingly support abolishing the death penalty, whether it's true or not, so why abandon the legislation? Refer it to the citizens of Colorado if they feel the Hickster isn't going to play ball on this bill. How does separation of powers benefit the populace if all the so called leaders in the legislature are willing to do is what is supported by the executive branch? Is the current General Assembly simply lackeys for the current governor?
PrintSmith wrote: ....So why not advance the legislation just because it is likely to be vetoed if it's the right thing to do? I'm sure that the Democrats in the General Assembly would tell us that Coloradoans overwhelmingly support abolishing the death penalty, whether it's true or not, so why abandon the legislation?....
I'm glad it isn't advancing. The death penalty shoud not only be in place, but strengthened, more so in this type of case. He should sizzle like bacon. It was never 'the right thing to do' to oppose the repeal. You just believe that because you're so righteous when it comes to due process, along with all the rest of the liberals, including LJ, even though she agrees with this specific case. There's plenty that deserve the death penalty, and trust me, more than a personal level, I can tell you for fact that this Planet needs less people on it, so why not start out with the true crap of society, especially a total psycho p.o.s that carefully carried out murdering plenty of people. Help others that can be saved, to Hades with this one. What justifies help? I don't know specifics right off hand, but one of them would involve a straight jacket and no motor skills with a nice long sleep if the measures didn't fix/cure things proper. This guy was calculated, it's time to go.
Ironically about using the death penalty on murderers? So many murderers are just a one time thing and never go onto to commit other crimes, just snapping at one time. This guy is different, planning over time, building booby traps, etc. But I do wonder if he would ever do a major crime again.
Thomas Sowell: There are no solutions, just trade-offs.
Colorado prosecutor will seek death for accused shooter in Batman rampage
Prosecutors said Monday that they will seek the death penalty for James Holmes, the man accused of gunning down 12 people and wounding 70 at a Batman movie last summer in Colorado.
George Brauchler, the district attorney for Arapahoe County, had already rejected an offer from the defense to let Holmes plead guilty and serve a life sentence.
Judge William Sylvester of the Colorado circuit court entered a plea of not guilty for Holmes last month after his lawyers said they were not ready to plead. The judge left the door open for lawyers to mount an insanity defense.
The two cases in the legal case fought in public last week. After the defense made its offer, Brauchler said in a filing that Holmes’ lawyers were only trying to generate sympathy for their client.
The only conclusion, the prosecutor wrote, “is that the defendant knows he is guilty, the defense attorneys know he is guilty and that both of them know that he was not criminally insane.”
Looks like being white doesn't save you from the death penalty. IIRC, last person executed in Colorado was white, although the only person on death row in the Centennial State right now is African-American. Update: both Fox News and KCFR are saying it will be year before the trial. Really? Open and shut in my eyes.
Thomas Sowell: There are no solutions, just trade-offs.
