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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHolder Calls For Halt To Death Penalty
Attorney General Eric Holder called Tuesday for a moratorium on the death penalty pending a Supreme Court decision on the use of lethal injection drugs in Oklahoma.
Speaking at a luncheon at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., Holder, noting that he was speaking in a personal capacity and not as a member of the administration, said the "inevitable" possibility of executing an innocent individual is what makes him oppose capital punishment.
"Our system of justice is the best in the world. It is comprised of men and women who do the best they can, get it right more often than not, substantially more right than wrong," Holder said. "There's always the possibility that mistakes will be made ... It's for that reason that I am opposed to the death penalty."
He continued: "I think fundamental questions about the death penalty need to be asked. And among them, the Supreme Court's determination as to whether or not lethal injection is consistent with our Constitution is one that ought to occur. From my perspective, I think a moratorium until the Supreme Court made that determination would be appropriate."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/17/eric-holder-death-penalty_n_6701062.html
randys1
(16,286 posts)will go to warp speed insane when they see this
Rex
(65,616 posts)Foxnews headline for tomorrow - "Obama's best friend lets serial killers off the hook."
Glassunion
(10,201 posts)NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)As long as they stay in prison, they are not harming society (shhh but that's one of the main reasons we lock people up). It's not about misguided vengence for those who cannot afford to mount a proper defense.
FSogol
(45,555 posts)spanone
(135,900 posts)BrotherIvan
(9,126 posts)Though I'm sick of the caveat that the American Justice System is "the best in the world" since we lock so much of our population and incarcerate huge swaths of black and brown people.
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)Right?
Vattel
(9,289 posts)SunSeeker
(51,745 posts)Demeter
(85,373 posts)You can never be too cynical in this business.
madokie
(51,076 posts)No matter the crime and no matter the circumstances.
morningfog
(18,115 posts)So long you disingenuous hypocrite.
quadrature
(2,049 posts)would that make EH happy?