Kathleen Brown

* I am writing regarding Kathleen Brown’s refusal to discuss the reasons for her opposition to the death penalty and her statement that, “The death penalty is not an issue. It is the law . . . I would use the same standards that every governor has used in reviewing (clemency) cases” (Capitol Journal by George Skelton, Dec. 16).

I believe we should take Kathleen Brown at her word. After all, if memory serves, her brother Jerry never granted clemency to a Death Row inmate. (Former Gov.) Jerry Brown simply appointed judges, such as Rose Bird, who, somehow, always found a way to overturn death penalty jury verdicts.

It is simply common sense to believe that if Kathleen Brown becomes governor, she too will appoint judges who share her belief on such a basic issue as the death penalty.

WALTER H. LEWIS

Deputy District Attorney

Pasadena

* Jerry Brown opposed the death penalty, and made it absolutely clear that no one would be executed during his term if he were elected governor. Kathleen Brown also considers capital punishment morally wrong, but says she’ll execute people anyway if we elect her.

Jerry Brown’s politics were a little left for my taste, but he didn’t sell out on the purest moral question in state politics in order to get elected. Kathleen Brown will agree to participate in immoral killings to gain office. All principles, it appears, are negotiable.

MICHAEL J. NOWLAND

Simi Valley