Christian Coalition’s Robertson Backs Death Penalty Moratorium

Christian Coalition founder Pat Robertson endorsed a moratorium on the death penalty Friday, saying it isn’t always applied fairly.

The death penalty has been administered in a way that discriminates against minorities and poor people who can’t afford high-priced attorneys, Robertson said during a symposium at the College of William and Mary’s law school.

He didn’t call for a moratorium in his keynote speech. But he expressed support for such a move when asked by a member of the audience.

“I think a moratorium would indeed be very appropriate,” said Robertson, who is also the founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network.

He added that he generally supports the moratorium movement but isn’t ready to “crusade” about it.

The moratorium question was posed by Michael Radelet of Moratorium 2000, a national anti-death penalty organization founded by activist Sister Helen Prejean, the author of “Dead Man Walking.”