Rell reaffirms support of death penalty

Rell: "There are some crimes so heinous it's the only answer"
By Brian Lockhart
Staff Writer
05/11/2009 0

HARTFORD - Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell Monday reiterated her support 
for executing criminals found guilty of the most horrific of crimes.

"There are some crimes so heinous it's the only answer," Rell told 
reporters during an impromptu press conference late Monday morning 
following the unveiling of a sculpture at the capitol honoring women 
veterans who served in Vietnam.

The House of Representatives this week may vote on a bill passed 
March 31 by the legislature's Judiciary Committee to replace the 
death penalty with a sentence of life in prison without parole.

Lawmakers last considered ending executions in 2005.

Death penalty opponents argue it makes no sense to keep Connecticut's 
law on the books because it is rarely used and, when applied, allows 
for at least 20 years worth of costly appeals.

"Four years ago a guy had to beg to be put to death," Rep. Joseph 
Mioli, D-Westport, one of several lower Fairfield County lawmakers 
who want to abolish the death penalty, said last week.

Mioli was referring to the case of serial killer Michael Ross, who in 
2005 became the first individual executed by Connecticut in 45 years 
after putting a halt to his own appeals.

Ross subsequently had to make the case that he was sane enough to 
choose to allow his execution to go forward.

There are currently 10 individuals on death row in Connecticut.

Rell said she believes the death penalty provides "justice" but some 
opponents argue it is a worse punishment to let a criminal spend the 
rest of their natural life incarcerated.


"Tell that to somebody like Doctor Petit or the girls murdered by 
Michael Ross," Rell said.
Dr. William Petit's wife and two daughters were murdered during a 
2007 home invasion in Cheshire.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for the two men charged 
with the crime.
Petit in late March testified in favor of the death penalty during a 
judiciary committee hearing.
Should the bill abolishing executions pass the House and Senate, Rell 
could veto it. Supporters would then need two-thirds of the House and 
Senate to override her veto.

-- Staff Writer Brian Lockhart can be reached at 203 750 5352 or 
brian.lockhart@scni.com۩

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