Readers React: A judge invalidated a Bible-based death sentence. Thank God.

To the editor: Unbelievable. In a murder trial, the prosecutor persuades jurors to abide by a death sentence by urging them to do what the Bible supposedly demands, while defense attorneys fail to object to this faith-based outrage. (“Judge invalidates killer’s death sentence based on Bible-quoting prosecutor,” Dec. 9)

On appeal, thankfully, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Miller found ineffective counsel in those attorneys’ failure. But consider what they were up against:

Trying a case in an area known to have a jury pool thick with religious conservatives. Questioning witnesses directed to swear “So help me God” in taking an oath to testify truthfully. Defending their client in a courthouse that likely displayed a conspicuous “In God We Trust” inscription.

So these defense attorneys were supposed to object to the prosecution’s biblical references, while scrutinized by jurors predisposed to religious precepts?

It’s long past time to rid our government of religious intrusions. No better place to start than courthouses.

Greg Gilbert, Cool, Calif.

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