The Execution of Harris

It is with pain and sadness in which I write this. Last night I tossed and turned, knowing a human being would soon die due to the death penalty. At 4 a.m., I awoke and turned the television set on, only to be relieved that Harris was not dead. I comfortably went back to sleep only to wake up two hours later to hear he had died in the gas chamber.

Tears streamed down my face as I relived four year ago, May 8, the day I was told my brother had been murdered. Although I do believe in peace and justice, I do not believe the answer is the death penalty.

What happened to the man who murdered my brother? He changed his plea from guilty to voluntary manslaughter and received a two-year prison term. Fortunately for him he is out; unfortunately for society he is out on the streets with no counseling. Is this what our courts call justice? My prayers are with Harris that he has now found his peace with the Lord who is loving and forgiving to us all!

ROSEMARIE GORMAN

Altadena