Respect for Life

DEATH PENALTY

There needs to be a moratorium on Capital Punishment, until the study of demographics of those charged with Capital felonies, as recommended by the 2001 General Assembly, can be carried out. An analysis of demographics of those in Connecticut charged with capital felonies is needed. Currently on death row in CT, over 50% are persons of color. Federal data indicate that for interracial crimes a black person will receive the death penalty 55% of the time compared to a white person's 11% of the time. Inequities demand a moratorium, until further studies can be completed. Ultimately, the death penalty violates our consistent life ethic. However, this year the Governor has proposed increasing the crimes, which would be classified as a capital felony. Such proposals should be opposed.