Gov. Pat Quinn signs bill repealing Illinois death penalty

[Ghost in the Machine]

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Quinn Wednesday signed landmark legislation to repeal the state’s “seriously broken” death penalty and then commuted the death sentences of the 15 men currently on death row.


“We cannot have a death penalty in our state that kills innocent people,” Quinn said. “If the system cannot be guaranteed 100 percent error free, then we cannot have the system. It cannot stand. It just is not right.”


The governor’s highly anticipated move, which he said he arrived at over the weekend, adds Illinois to 15 other states that have abolished the death penalty since the late 1970s.


“I felt once the decision was made to sign the law abolishing the death penalty, it should be abolished for all,” Quinn said of commuting the existing death sentences. “I do believe the evil-doers should be punished severely in prison without parole ... but without the death penalty.”


Speaking to family members of those slain by the men just taken off death row, Quinn said: “There are no words in the English language or any language to relieve your pain, and I understand that

http://www.suntimes.com/4225981-417/gov.-pat-quinn-signs-bill-repealing-illinois-death-penalty

[bluestateguy]

1. Probably makes sense

It's costly, laborious and in Illinois, riddled with screwups.

[Ghost in the Machine]

2. I read that there were a lot of screwups..

Something like 16 of them? That's insane...

I usually support the DP, but in cases where there is no doubt whatsoever.. like DNA evidence, a confession or video evidence..

[bobbolink]

5. A confession? Like what we are getting at Gitmo? AbuGhraib?

[Ghost in the Machine]

8. ummmmmmmm... NO! I don't advocate confessions obtained under torture...

However, there are murderers who freely confess to their crimes. This is what I meant, and you damn well know that...

[bobbolink]

12. What I "damned well know" is that, sadly, I've seen enough about cops in the later

years to not trust a damned thing they do or say.

In Denver, a lot of this is coming to light, and yet, even though it is horribly ugly, nobody can seem to rein in the cops.

And, if you are a "progressive", I think you "damned well know" about this.

[truebrit71]

6. I think it's 15..either way it's way too high...

..and probable statistical proof that the US has executed at least ONE innocent person...

I am VERY proud of our Democratic Governor and State Assembly for finally abolishing the DP...

[Ghost in the Machine]

9. Yes, one innocent person being executed is one too many...

That being said, I won't lose sleep over the ones who actually deserve it.

[Ghost in the Machine]

3. kick

[ej510]

4. One isn't person put to death is one too many.

[Ghost in the Machine]

10. One *innocent* person being put to death is one too many..

There, I fixed it for you..

:hi:

[undeterred]

7. This is a good thing.

I'm sorry that so much other news is crowding out this very important day. It is a moral achievement to get rid of the death penalty. I did not always think so, and I have known someone whose loved one was murdered in Illinois. But I do not believe that the state should be in the business of taking human lives.

[Ghost in the Machine]

11. Yes, if it saves an innocent person from dying, it's a good thing...

I'll still support the DP in certain cases, as long as the evidence is 110% solid...

[udbcrzy2]

13. Wonder what he will do with all the extra money he's saving

the state? I would hope that he would invest in DNA evidence testing and reform the appeals process making it speedier.