Death Penalty
Texas Gov. Rick Perry refused to commute the death sentence of a prisoner who was delusional and paranoid, even though the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles voted 5 to 1 in favor of commutation (May 19). So Kelsey Patterson, an African American prisoner, is killed so that society can have vengeance. This seems to be the American way of dealing with people who are so deranged that they commit some horrible crime. I wonder when the U.S. will join the rest of the civilized nations and outlaw the death penalty.
Jean Holt Koch
Los Angeles
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
