Minutes 04-23-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Congress to adopt policies and executive orders and to enact legislation repealing the death penalty in North Carolina and in the federal and military jurisdictions, and to use funds saved to assist murder victims' families and for crime prevention programs, and to ratify a suspension of all executions until such legislation is enacted into law. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution shall be forwarded by Clerk to the Board of Commissioners to the Governor of the State of North Carolina; the state Senator and the State Representatives in the N.C. General Assembly who represent our community; the President of the United States; the two U.S. Senators from North Carolina; and the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives representing our community. This the 23 d day of April 2013. Commissioner Dorosin thanked all that brought this petition forward. He said that this resolution comes to the board just a day after April 22nd, the 26th anniversary of McClesky versus Kent. He said this Supreme Court ruling held that a defendant could not rely on statistical evidence of racial bias, no matter how persuasive, in challenging the constitutionality of the death sentence. He said the Supreme Court majority said that to accept the argument that capital punishment was infected by racism would call into question the underlying principles of the entire criminal justice system. He said Justice William Brennen, in dissent, said that the majority's opinion was grounded in a fear of too much justice. He said he believes the death penalty is immoral, unconstitutional and racist and he desperately feels that we need "too much justice." A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin seconded by Commissioner Price to approve the resolution to repeal the death penalty and to use the savings to assist murder victims' families and help prevent violent crime and authorize the Chair to sign. Commissioner McKee said there is no question that bias in the system has been proven, nor does he doubt that there have been rogue prosecutors, and that mistakes have been made that send people to death row. He said this is regrettable and these are egregious mistakes. He said his personal view is that some acts are so morally wrong and egregious, such as the bombing in Boston and the incident at Newtown; that the only solution is that the perpetrator should forfeit their life. He said he is going to vote against this because he is becoming uncomfortable with so many unanimous votes on this board on social justice issues. He said there are very different views on this death penalty issues and many variant viewpoints on both extremes. He said he would like to give a voice to those other views. Commissioner Pelissier said she recognized that some people do support the death penalty, but polls show that the majority of people realize it is unjust. She said she feels the Board owes it to the citizens to represent a majority viewpoint and show that there is a desire for justice to be done correctly in this state. Commissioner Price thanked all that have been behind repealing the death penalty and she said she has supported it all the way. She said that she has heard stories over the years, of victim's families who find reconciliation with the perpetrators. She feels there is a move in the direction of humanity and justice. Commissioner Rich said she supported this resolution and thanked all that brought this forth. She spent many hours in a car this weekend with a group of teenagers and there was discussion of the death penalty. She said that this next generation does not understand why the death penalty exists. She said this resolution is for this generation and the next