Key Takeaways:
- Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is calling for all death row inmates in the state to be spared from execution, including those who killed police officers and children.
- Shapiro has requested the state General Assembly to move to abolish capital punishment entirely, and has pledged not to sign any execution warrants during his term.
- Critics of the move argue that it removes accountability and deterrence from prosecutorial discretion, and is tone deaf to the concerns of Pennsylvanians.
Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is asking legislators to spare everyone on his state’s death row from execution, including those who murdered police officers and children. Pennsylvania law requires the governor to sign an execution warrant before an inmate can be put to death, but Shapiro said alongside Democratic State Senator Vince Hughes, Senator Nikil Saval, and Representative Rick Krajewski that he would not issue any such warrants during his term and called for the state General Assembly to move to abolish capital punishment altogether. More than 100 men are currently sentenced to death in Pennsylvania, some of them having killed law enforcement personnel and children.
Critics of the move argue that it is inappropriate to remove accountability and deterrence from prosecutorial discretion, and disrespectful to the victims of the most serious crimes in society. Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus spokesperson Jason Gottesman stated, “At a time when Pennsylvanians are concerned about their personal safety and the safety of their families as we deal with a historic spike in violent crime, it is clear now is not the time to stop holding criminals to the highest level of accountability for the most heinous crimes.”
Shapiro had advocated for capital punishment abolition during his campaign, and Pennsylvania’s last execution occurred in 1999, according to the Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Previous Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf instituted an execution moratorium in 2015.
Possible Consequences
If Pennsylvania abolishes capital punishment, it would permanently spare several notorious murderers, including Richard Scott Baumhammers, who murdered five people and defaced synagogues with spray paint, and Roger Judge, who escaped from custody after being sentenced to death for murdering two people in Philadelphia.
However, critics of the move worry that the lack of accountability and deterrence from prosecutorial discretion will lead to an increase in violent crimes, particularly those against law enforcement personnel and children. Moreover, this could have a ripple effect on other states that may consider abolishing capital punishment as well.
Q: Will all death row inmates in Pennsylvania be released if capital punishment is abolished?
A: No, abolition of capital punishment does not mean automatic release of death row inmates. Rather, their sentences will be commuted to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Q: What are the arguments in favor of capital punishment?
A: Supporters of capital punishment argue that it serves as a deterrent against violent crime and provides a sense of justice and closure to victims and their families. They also argue that some crimes are so heinous that the death penalty is the only appropriate punishment.