Sorrow over execution

Sun., Dec. 4, 2011

I mourn the brutal and senseless recent killing of Paul Rhoades by the state of Idaho.

Proponents of the death penalty would argue that this shows they’re tough on crime, but any excuse for executing Rhoades evaporated during a long incarceration as he reclaimed his life from violence and drugs. Rhoades was not killed after all these years to protect the community, but because the governor and prosecutor felt they needed an execution. That may be politics, but it has little to do with justice. Idaho is no safer after killing a prisoner held for 24 years.

Washingtonians and Idahoans deserve a safe and just alternative to our deeply flawed practice of random executions.

Nancy Nelson

Rockford

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