Letters to governor from death penalty supporters, opponents

Jan. 11 e-mail from Neil Conway, of Cuyahoga Falls in northeast Ohio.

"The Catholic Bishops of Ohio have consistently advocated for an end to the death penalty. We believe this form of punishment is unnecessary and systematically flawed.

"Viable and just alternatives, such as life imprisonment, are effectively used in other states and other countries. An important first step would be a study that would allow for an objective review of Ohio's death penalty system."

_Jan. 20 letter from the Most Rev. Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of Cincinnati.

From capital punishment supporters:

"Years ago when people knew they were going to the death chamber they thought twice about doing the crime. Today it is easy for them. Three squares a day and a room. Prisons are more comfortable then some of our homes."

_Dec. 9 letter from Ron & Ruth Herrmann, retirees in North Lima, near Youngstown.

"Undertaking a study at this point sends the wrong message to the citizens of this state that there is something wrong with our death penalty when the fact is that there is nothing wrong with our death penalty except that it takes too long to get the penalty enforced."

_Jan. 15 letter from John Murphy, executive director of the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association.

"Keep the death penalty. Do not pardon these people on death row. A jury found them guilty & judges did their job by sentencing them to death according to law."

_Jan. 21 e-mail from Saundra Huston of suburban Columbus.

Source: Gov. Ted Strickland.

Discuss this article on the forums. (0 posts)