Gov’s death crusade: Foes battle over capital punishment

[paineinthearse]

Considering literacy and the even-handed tone, this is notable for its source, the Hearald.

http://news.bostonherald.com/localPolitics/view.bg?articleid=80802&format=&page=2

Gov’s death crusade: Foes battle over capital punishment
By Kimberly Atkins and Dave Wedge
Friday, April 29, 2005 - Updated: 06:22 PM EST

Gov. Mitt Romney wants to march Bay State killers to the death chamber for the first time in nearly six decades - using ``foolproof'' science to ensure only the guilty die - but met staunch opposition as he took the first step. Almost immediately after filing a new death penalty bill, Romney was lambasted by Democrats from Attorney General Tom Reilly to Mayor Thomas M. Menino for political grandstanding.

``DNA evidence in murder cases is lagging in the lab for years because of the lack of resources,'' Reilly said, adding that crucial testing of rape evidence ``can't even get processed on time.'' Menino, an outspoken death-penalty critic, said, ``Why don't we talk about using any resources we have for intervention and prevention before we get to the DNA and the death penalty.''

Romney's bill, narrowly tailored to apply to the ``worst of the worst'' offenders, would apply only in murder cases involving terrorism, torture, killing sprees, or judges or cops. Killers under 18 would be exempt. The governor's blunt message: ``If you commit a heinous crime of this nature, the ultimate price will have to be paid by you.'' The bill requires DNA and other scientific evidence to be reviewed by an independent commission before a killer would executed, with lethal injection replacing the electric chair as the instrument of death.

But the governor's death penalty push was seen by critics as a blatant attempt to bolster his sagging poll numbers at home, and appeal to a nationwide audience of conservative Republicans with an eye toward the 2008 White House race. ``Mitt Romney is flailing about in his unceasing effort to appeal to the right wing of the national Republican Party,'' state Democratic Party Chairman Phil Johnston said. <snip> Senate President Robert E. Travaglini (D-East Boston) vowed Romney's death penalty bill will get a hearing - but said the prospects for support among lawmakers are slim. Like Travaglini, House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi (D-Boston) has also stated his opposition to the death penalty.

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Helter Skelter!