Lift moratorium on the death penalty

On Jan. 31, 2000, ex-Gov. George Ryan, on a whim, called a moratorium on the Illinois death penalty. His primary reason behind this was to make sure safeguards were in place to prevent the death penalty from being carried out on potentially innocent persons.

At the time this was, perhaps, a cautious decision to make. Since then, however, our state's justice system has had over eight years to address any weaknesses and put the necessary safeguards in place. This is more than enough time.

Further, with recent advancements in scientific methods, such as DNA analysis, there leaves absolutely no doubt whether a person was involved in a crime or not.

There is no reason for the moratorium to continue. Some activists, and even religious groups, claim the death penalty is inhumane. Was the original act of murder not an inhumane crime against innocent victims? This is so clear, how can the opposition find basis to continue?

Further, the U. S. Supreme Court has ruled that capital punishment is constitutional. Recently the court also ruled that carrying out the death penalty by lethal injection is, indeed, humane. This is the method used in Illinois.

State Rep. Dennis Reboletti has rightfully introduced a resolution (HR0969) in Springfield calling on Gov. Blagojevich to lift the moratorium. The governor can do this on a whim, too.

The moratorium has become nothing but a smokescreen used by current Illinois' leadership to avoid the politically charged issues relating to the death penalty. In Illinois, capital punishment is the law. No question. The courts are still able to apply the sentence of death. Our obligation to the law is to carry it out. As all citizens are expected, our leaders must also abide by the law.

The time has passed, and to continue the moratorium is no longer prudence, but, rather, lawlessness.

Garth Taylor

Bensenville