‘New Wave of Executions’
In addition to the reasons cited in your excellent editorial, there is another equally compelling reason to oppose the death penalty--one innocent man.
We cannot assume the guilt of everyone on Death Row merely because he was convicted of a capital offense. Criminal justice experts estimate that up to 10% of people convicted of crimes are innocent. At least one of those innocent people is sitting on Death Row somewhere in this country. What do we say to the innocent ones who have been executed and those who will be executed--the system is flawed? Mistakes will happen?
The continuing demand for the death penalty indicates that our malice and desire for revenge are stronger than our compassion for an innocent person who is wrongly convicted.
Our justice system is better served by keeping all Death Row inmates alive so that even our innocent man may not perish.
BERNADETH AMAKER
Los Angeles
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