Why I Now Oppose Capital Punishment

Just this month, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt granted clemency to a Julius Jones, reducing his death sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole.  Jones had been convicted in the 1999 shooting death of a businessman, during a carjacking.  Not surprisingly, Jones claimed that he was innocent.  I am not familiar with the underlying facts of the case, beyond the few words stated here.  And while I believe that such a crime is deserving of the death penalty, I nevertheless believe that the Governor made the right decision.

Also this month, I saw that the two men convicted in the killing of Malcolm X were recently exonerated.  Malcolm X was killed in 1965.  But evidence was disclosed that the NYPD and FBI withheld key exculpatory evidence.  While both men were released from prison (one in 1985 and one in 1987) they had to live with the stigma of being convicted murderers.  One is now 83 years old, while the other died in 2009.

And, in a case much closer to home here in California, is the story of Craig Coley.  Coley was convicted of killing 24 year-old Rhonda Wicht and her 4-year old son, in Simi Valley.  Coley had dated Wicht for two years, but they had recently broken up before the murders.  And a witness said they had seen Coley and his truck at Wicht's apartment building after hearing a disturbance.  Coley was promptly arrested.  The young police officer who was directed by a superior to arrest Coley has since become a dear friend.  But, Coley ended up serving 39 years in prison for crimes he did not commit.

In November, 2017, former California Governor Jerry Brown issued a full pardon, declaring Coley to be innocent of the crimes for which he was convicted.  The dedication of a single detective, Michael Bender, ultimately led to the discovery of evidence which, through DNA testing, showed no sign of Coley's DNA.  Furthermore, three officers testified that the original investigation was mishandled at best, or that Coley was framed at worst.  

But for the dedication of Detective Mike Bender, who saw problems with the case from the beginning, and but for his tireless pursuit of the truth for years and decades, Coley would have died in prison.  (The arresting officer is of the belief that the prosecutor was not getting favorable responses from the jury pool with regards to the death penalty, and therefore sought life without parole.)  Coley has made peace with that young officer who arrested him on the orders of a superior.  That same officer also helped Detective Bender in his investigation, whenever possible.

I do not know how many detectives like Mike Bender there are in police departments across the country.  I do not know how many police officers and detectives will spend as much time as necessary to learn the truth about a suspected criminal, in order to see that justice is done.  I certainly hope that the vast majority of officers would do that.  Coley got out of prison at age 69 or 70, after 39 years in prison.  The state paid him a settlement of $2 million, and Simi Valley paid him $21 million.  Thankfully, he gets to live out his remaining days as a free man, without any need to worry about how he will support himself after 39 years behind bars.  A death sentence would not have allowed for any of this to happen.  That injustice would have been irrevocable.  And unacceptable.   

A Few Words About The Blog And My Readers

(Note.  On May 2, 2021, I wrote a post called "A Few Words About The Blog And Me."  This post is more about readers' comments, and how some (many) on the left perceive me.)

In various posts this past year I have said things that should have gotten agreement from those on the left.  Here are some examples that come to mind.  Following the events of January 6, 2021, I wrote that I was appalled by what I saw.  I said then, and more recently, that I wanted Trump out of politics.  I said that Trump was wrong when claiming that Pence could, and should, overturn the December, 2020 Electoral College.  I made it clear that the Vice President does not have that power, nor should any Vice President have the power to overturn election results.

I wrote back in November, 2020, that I accepted that Biden won late on election night.  That was days before any media outlet had called the election.   More recently, I explained that I opposed the Texas abortion law.  

And twice recently, I spoke in favor of the Covid vaccines.  I explained that I had gotten the two Pfizer injections, and more recently the booster.  I discussed the positive history of vaccines in our country helping to eradicate disease.  

I received no agreements from those on the left to any of the above.  I used to get agreement.  I did get some disagreements from those on the right.  But here is the difference.  When I hear from readers on the right, they do not mock me, or stop being friends with me (if we are friends).  They engage.  They will tell me why they believe that I may be wrong, or may have overlooked somethings.  Some will send links to articles.

It is difficult to engage with those on the left.  I recently told someone on the left that the world ended for him on January 6.  Not matter what I say, the reply is always "January 6" and "Trump."  He is not the only one.  As long as Trump is alive, there is no other issue of any importance.  Anything that Biden and the Democrats are currently doing to harm the country is insignificant compared to Trump.  

As I hear non-stop about the "insurrection," I suggested that one reader take a look at my March 12, 2017 post, "The Deposing of an American President."  I suggested that the three year effort to "depose" a duly elected president was worse that the few hours of violence at the Capitol on January 6.  Of course, there was disagreement.  Trump was trying to overthrow the government.  So imagine my surprise when I was told that this particular reader had no problem with any lawful means being used to unseat Trump from the day he took office.

Let's think about that for a moment.  It astounds me to think that this individual has no qualms about seeking to immediately remove a duly elected president from office, while telling me that my blog causes great damage to our country and democracy.  What an excellent idea.  Every time a new president takes office with the opposing party in control of Congress, the Congress should immediately impeach that new president because...?  That's some way to keep a stable democracy.  

What I have also noticed from readers, and even family, is their usually unstated belief that I am a right-wing extremist.  Why?  Because I voted for Trump.  Which is all they need to know about me, my beliefs and my character.  So when I said that I wanted Trump out of politics, one reader was upset that I did not explain why.  When I said that I was vaccinated, and believed in vaccines, I was told that I did not tell unvaccinated people that they needed to get vaccinated - it was part of their civic duty.  Well, whether or not you believe it is a civic duty, one thing is certain - it is not my civic duty to tell other people what they must do.