Letter: Regarding death penalty, we need reform not abolition
Dear editor,
Regarding Governor Newsom’s decision to halt the death penalty (“Governor orders a halt…” March 13), the governor is misunderstanding the problem. While I do agree with Mr. Newsom’s statement on the death penalty costing too much money, I believe a reform of sorts is required in order for true justice to be served. Growing up in a family with two correctional officers for parents, I have heard of the horrible and cruel things that murderers and rapists have done. The current system of the death penalty currently takes up too much money to put just a single prisoner to death. We need reform, not abolition. With the death row appeals spending of roughly $5 billion since 1978 with only 13 inmates actually put to death between that gap. Withholding the death of monsters is not only wrong for the public, but for the victim’s family as well. I’m sure if Mr. Newsom experienced loss to a monster, he would think quite differently.
John Hilton, 17, Paso Robles High School Senior
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