‘Unfairness’

While there are many reasons why society feels uncomfortable with the death penalty, The Times’ editorial (June 30), “Unfairness Is Underscored,” correctly touches on the most important reason, that is, the impossibility of it being imposed fairly.

The death penalty cannot be administered equitably because judicial systems do not have an infallible yardstick of justice available to them by which they can measure accurately and uniformly when capital punishment is appropriate and when it is not.

Currently there are more than 1,700 people on Death Row in this country. Almost all are either from poor and/or minority backgrounds. Virtually none of them have had the benefit of private legal counsel. Only a handful received medical or psychological evaluation either before or after trial.

The imposition of death in capital cases varies widely from state to state. In 14 states there is no capital punishment at all. Some states allow the execution of juveniles, while others convict youngsters but impose death only after they have finished growing up on Death Row. A few states, like Florida and Texas, are actively executing inmates today.

A democratic nation can not tolerate selective punishment. The U.S. Constitution promises that all men are equal under the law. Surely, we all deserve no less than equal justice.

KINTA HALLER Hidden Hills