Post by Anja Nieser on Oct 1, 2006 5:53:32 GMT -5
Sperr case brings up death penalty issue in New York State
Andrew Sperr's father says part of "moving on" will mean activism on the
issue of the death penalty.
The father of fallen trooper, Andrew Sperr, says his next step after the
trial will be shaped by the words of his son's murderer. "If the death
penalty had been on the books, AJ might still be alive," said Sperr.
Last week, co-defendant Brian Adams testified that accused triggerman
Anthony Horton told him that Horton was going to kill a cop because New
York State doesn't have the death penalty. Sperr says the death penalty
could protect other troopers like his son. Monroe County's District
Attorney agrees. "There are a few murders out there where there is no
other penalty that adequately addresses the nature of the crime that they
commit." But Green doesn't believe Sperr's quest will be met with open
arms, even though both leading candidates for governor support the death
penalty, including front-runner Elliot Spitzer.
Clare Regan has spent most of her life fighting the death penalty, even
after it was declared unconstitutional in 2004. "I've talked to Spitzer
about this, and he said there's no way it's going to pass." She says the
state's new charge of aggravated murder, carrying a mandatory sentence of
life in prison without parole, is a more just way to punish hardened
criminals.
(source: WHEC TV News)
Andrew Sperr's father says part of "moving on" will mean activism on the
issue of the death penalty.
The father of fallen trooper, Andrew Sperr, says his next step after the
trial will be shaped by the words of his son's murderer. "If the death
penalty had been on the books, AJ might still be alive," said Sperr.
Last week, co-defendant Brian Adams testified that accused triggerman
Anthony Horton told him that Horton was going to kill a cop because New
York State doesn't have the death penalty. Sperr says the death penalty
could protect other troopers like his son. Monroe County's District
Attorney agrees. "There are a few murders out there where there is no
other penalty that adequately addresses the nature of the crime that they
commit." But Green doesn't believe Sperr's quest will be met with open
arms, even though both leading candidates for governor support the death
penalty, including front-runner Elliot Spitzer.
Clare Regan has spent most of her life fighting the death penalty, even
after it was declared unconstitutional in 2004. "I've talked to Spitzer
about this, and he said there's no way it's going to pass." She says the
state's new charge of aggravated murder, carrying a mandatory sentence of
life in prison without parole, is a more just way to punish hardened
criminals.
(source: WHEC TV News)