Governor should not veto repeal of death penalty

Richard Backus
New Boston
With all the toxic partisanship, it’s encouraging to see bipartisan support in New Hampshire for a bill to abolish the death penalty. In both the Senate and the House, Democrats joined with Republicans to vote for repeal. 

There are strong reasons to support the repeal: 

1) overwhelming evidence suggests the death penalty is not a deterrent 

2) the death penalty is much more expensive than life without parole because of long and *costly* court battles

3) the death penalty is applied inconsistently and with a strong racial and economic bias, and worst of all

4) it is a matter of record that innocent people have been executed. 

Yet despite this and despite the bipartisan support for repeal, Gov. Sununu intends to veto the bill and, as you read this, may already have done so. Call, write or email the Governor and urge him to reconsider.   

Richard Backus  

New Boston