NEW JERSEYANS FOR A DEATH PENALTY
MORATORIUM
22 Oliver Street, Chatham, New Jersey 07928
CONTACT: Celeste Fitzgerald - 973-635-6396
(days/evenings) or 973-495-5302 (cell)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MCGREEVEY VETOES DEATH PENALTY STUDY
BILL
PROMPTS ANGRY RESPONSE FROM BILL
SUPPORTERS
Governor James E. McGreevey incurred widespread shock and criticism
yesterday (Mon., Jan. 12), as he vetoed the New Jersey death penalty study
bill. Backed by hundreds of citizens groups statewide, as well the heads of
every major religion in the state, the bill A-1913 passed with overwhelming
support in the State Legislature. In
addition, recent polls report a majority of state citizens, including death
penalty proponents, favor a study.
“This isn’t about merging highway authorities.
This is about a system that determines who lives and who dies," said
Celeste Fitzgerald, Executive Director of New Jerseyans for a Death Penalty
Moratorium (NJDPM). “Polls show a
majority of New Jerseyans have serious concerns about that system, and the
Governor won’t even examine it.”
Fitzgerald added, “His veto flies in the face of reason and completely
ignores potential risks and flaws in New Jersey’s death penalty. The Governor's
decision is inexplicable and his position is extreme.”
According
to language in the study bill, a commission would have examined whether New Jersey’s “interest in executing
some of those guilty of murder is sufficiently compelling that the risk of an
irreversible mistake is acceptable” and “whether New Jersey’s selection of
defendants for capital trials is arbitrary, unfair, or discriminatory.” Also
questioned was whether the death penalty is “consistent with evolving standards
of decency.”
“We
are appalled that Governor McGreevey has disregarded the will of a majority of
New Jersey citizens,” said Sandra Manning, NJDPM Chairperson. “By his action, the Governor sent a message
to New Jersey that fundamental issues of fairness, consistency, and accuracy
don’t matter.” Comprising more than 10,000 members, NJDPM is core group of more
than 200 affiliated faith, justice, labor and community organizations
statewide.
New Jersey’s U.S. Senators, Jon
Corzine and Frank Lautenberg, wrote the governor last month, urging him to sign
A-1913. They citied “serious questions” about the administration of the death
penalty and urged a “…careful review before the state reinstates executions.”
Assemblymen Alfred E. Steele (D-Paterson) and
Christopher "Kip" Bateman (R-Somerset) initially introduced A-1913.
Its companion, Senate Bill S-1112, was sponsored by Senators Shirley Turner
(D-Mercer) and Richard Bagger, now retired (R-Union/Morris. Thirty Democrats
and Republicans signed on as co-sponsors.
The Assembly passed A-1913 December 15 by a 70-8 vote. The Senate
passed it unanimously December 11.
Praising sponsors and
supporters from both parties, Fitzgerald said, "The State Legislature
is to be commended for acknowledging the broad spectrum of citizen concerns as
New Jersey approaches its first execution in 41 years. They responded to a complex issue with a
reasonable, comprehensive approach."
Many
believe New Jersey’s study would have been the most important review of the
death penalty in U.S. history, and would serve as a model for other states. Justice experts say the state’s first
execution in 41 years is expected to be carried out in 2004. The state's last
execution was January 22, 1963.