POST-GAZETTE - Res Publica

Democrats Weak on Crime

by David Trumbull

June 3, 2005

Romney-Healey ‘No Doubt’ Bill Exposes Democrats Weak on Crime.

The “no doubt” death penalty legislation filed by Governor Romney and Lieutenant Governor Healey faces opposition from entrenched liberals more likely to favor prison furloughs than capital punishment. The Governor takes his case to the people in a new radio ad urging the Legislature to pass his bill: “Just as science can exonerate the innocent, it can also identify the guilty.”

Governor Romney and Lieutenant Governor Healey worked carefully to craft first-in-the-nation legislation establishing a “no doubt” criteria for the death penalty.

The Romney-Healey legislation answers the concerns of critics about wrongful convictions. It sets up unprecedented scientific and judicial review. “No doubt” standard tougher than “beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Legislation applies to cases similar to Gary Sampson murder spree or Atlanta courthouse shootings where there is no doubt about guilt.

Romney-Healey bill exposes true colors of allegedly tough-on-crime Democratic Attorney General Tom Reilly. Candidate for governor says death penalty bill not priority and criticizes Romney. But asked by reporters if the bill should be law, he says, “Yeah, probably.”

Ultra-liberal gubernatorial candidate Deval Patrick, who represented a convicted cop killer and succeeded in getting him off death row, recently refused to rule out inmate furloughs. Asked by TV reporter Jon Keller, Patrick sidestepped the question of furloughs for inmates.

The Legislature should pass the Romney-Healey measure because it safeguards against wrongful convictions and brings justice in heinous cases, such as the killing of judges, prosecutors, witnesses and jurors, as well as murder sprees and prisoners serving life who kill behind bars.

David Trumbull is the chairman of the Boston Ward Three Republican Committee; he may be contacted at (617) 742-6881 or chairman@ward3boston.org. Boston's Ward Three includes the North End, West End, part of Beacon Hill, downtown, waterfront, Chinatown, and part of the South End.

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