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Governor Mitt Romney and the Death Penalty

Quotes from Governor Mitt Romney on the Death Penalty

Death Penalty Testimony of Governor Mitt Romney

“In the past, efforts to reinstate the death penalty in Massachusetts have failed. They have failed because of concerns that it would be too broadly applied or that evidentiary standards weren’t high enough or proper safeguards weren’t in place. We have answered all those concerns with this bill.”

Governor Mitt Romney, 09- 23-2003 Press Release

“Just as science can be used to free the innocent, it can be used to identify the guilty.”

Governor Mitt Romney, 09- 23-2003 Press Release

Press Releases from Governor Mitt Romney on the Death Penalty

2003

09- 23-2003, ROMNEY TAKES SCIENTIFIC APPROACH TO DEATH PENALTY

2005

04-28-2005, RELYING ON SCIENCE, ROMNEY FILES DEATH PENALTY BILL

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitt_Romney#Death_Penalty Article

In December 2004, Romney announced plans to file a death penalty bill in early 2005. 45 The bill, filed April 28, 2005, sought to reinstate the death penalty in cases that include terrorism, the assassination of law enforcement officials and multiple killings. The legislation would have required corroborating scientific evidence, multiple layers of review and a new "no doubt" standard of proof.

Romney's critics made arguments against the death penalty and claimed that Romney's complex scheme for trying capital cases is unworkable and a waste of prosecutorial resources. It is estimated that under Romney's plan, trying a capital case could cost upwards of US$3,000,000,citation needed while the cost of incarcerating a convicted felon in a maximum security facility in Massachusetts is $48,000 per year.46

Ultimately, the Massachusetts House of Representatives, which is controlled by a Democratic party supermajority, defeated the bill 99-53.