State Representative Whit Betts (R- Bristol,Plymouth, and Terryville) yesterday opposed legislation to abolish the Death Penalty inConnecticut. The controversial bill passed after hours of debate by a vote of 86 to 62.
“Capitol Punishment is not an issue that I take lightly- I have given it a great deal of thought prior to voting against repeal,” Betts said. “But there are certain crimes, certain acts of unbridled violence that are so monstrous, so despicable that the death penalty is an appropriate penalty.”
Betts said the death penalty should remain an option for crimes like theCheshiremurders, acts of terrorism, the brutal murders of policeman and correction officers, and the rape/killing of women and children.
It should be noted that the threshold inConnecticutfor receiving the death penalty is extremely high, and there are only eleven men on death row today.
“Today, I feel especially sad for the families of the victims whose lives were forever changed by these 11 convicted murders.” It is widely assumed that these brutal killers will have their death sentences overturned because of the adoption of this new law.”
Betts said he is still shaking his head in disbelief. “Whatever happened to standing up for the rights of the victims’ families?”
