Use Death Penalty Money for Unsolved Murders
-- By
Michael L. Radelet
In 1976, 79 percent of homicides in the
United States were solved by arrest. By
2005 that had dropped to 62 percent.
Boulder Legislators Lead the Way
Boulder
is fortunate to have two unusually distinguished
legislators who are listening to the family
members of homicide victims and finding novel
ways to help investigate these unresolved
cases. Rep. Paul Weissmann has authored a
bill that would use the money we waste on
the death penalty and instead use it to fund
investigations into cold homicide cases.
On Monday, Rep. Claire Levy, chair of the
House Judiciary Committee, skillfully presided
over a session that (finally) allowed the
family members to be heard. In the end, the
bill abolishing the death penalty and using
the money to investi-gate unsolved homicides
passed on a 7-4 vote.
Stiff Opposition from Financial Interests
That is not to say
that Reps. Weissmann and Levy did not face
stiff opposition. Several Colorado prosecutors,
the Attorney General, and others with a financial
interest in preserving the death penalty
went ballistic, predicting nothing but gloom
and doom if their death penalty cash cow
disappeared. Yet again, they turned their
backs on the families of homicide victims.
Hopefully Gov. Ritter will display the same
leadership and wisdom as our Boulder representatives
and put his signature on this bill.
Note: The following update on this bill
appeared March 8, 2009 in the Denver Post:
"Money
matters are delaying a bill to abolish the
death penalty and dedicate the savings to solving
Colorado's 1,400 unsolved homicides. Supporters
of House Bill 1274 think it would save millions,
but more conservative estimates put that sum
closer to $370,000. House Democrats pushed
the measure through one committee, and it now
waits in the House Appropriations Committee."
Take
action in support of House Bill 1274 today.
