CrimProf Robert Blecker Aids Senator Cardinale in Defending the Death Penalty for the State of New Jersey

From northjersey.com: New York Law School CrimProf Robert Blecker joined New Jersey Senator Gerald Cardinale in launching his defense of the death penalty during a State House press conference.

Blecker argues that some people deserve to die and that retribution presents the most compelling case for the death penalty.

Cardinale and Blecker also said that evidence is growing that the death penalty does deter people from committing murder. Cardinale said that one study showed that each execution correlates with about 74 fewer murders the following year, although other studies suggest a far more modest deterrent effect.

The two also said that if New Jersey wants to seriously consider abolishing the death penalty, lawmakers should give the issue the time and consideration it deserves. Both characterized the New Jersey Death Penalty Study Commission, which concluded earlier this year that the state should abolish capital punishment, as biased.

"Attempting to sneak this enormously important public policy proposal during the lame duck session is appalling," Blecker said.

New Jerseyans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty countered that Blecker's comments and papers were carefully considered, reviewed and ultimately rejected by the members of the Death Penalty Study Commission. Rest of Article. . . [Mark Godsey]