Letter: State of Nevada should abolish death penalty

Wednesday, July 17, 2002 | 8:57 a.m.

Regarding the July 7 pro and con commentaries about the abolishment of the death penalty in Nevada: The commentary by assistant federal public defender Michael Pescetta, favoring the death penalty's abolishment, is the more rationally moral argument.

In addition, there are a couple of other insights that would help us agree to abolishment. One is that the death penalty has not been shown to be a deterrent to other capital crimes. The large number of victims of the crime of murder, including family and friends, for whom we have great sympathy and for whom we hope that both public and private institutions will assist in recovery, indicates that the death penalty did not prevent those particular murders from occurring.

Second, in the case of multiple murders by a single individual, those perpetrated after the first murder are "free." That is, in the case of capital punishment, it only takes conviction in the first murder to bring the punishment of the death penalty. Thus, no matter how many are committed, only the one life can be taken in revenge.

Third, the state does not have the unlimited right to take a life. For the sake of peace and order the state needs to consider alternative punishments, those that can be redemptive and bring both personal and social healing as well as act as deterrent.

Yes, we need to abolish the death penalty in Nevada.

PHIL HAUSKNECHT