Opponents launch new effort to abolish death penalty

BY Tim Haeck  on November 29, 2012 @ 4:00 pm (Updated: 4:02 pm - 11/29/12 )

Opponents will try again to pass a bill abolishing the death penalty in Washington state during the next legislative session.

Backers of the death penalty argue it provides closure for victims, but Sen. Debbie Regala (D-Tacoma) says that's not always true, given how long appeals can take.

"The prolonged process means that there is no closure for a long period of time and for many people it reopens the wound over and over."

Regala opposes the death penalty even though her brother-in-law was murdered in Seattle in 1980 and his killer was never caught. She says cost is one big reason why.

"We spent six to ten times as much money pursuing a death penalty as we would if we went for life without the possibility of parole," Regala says.

Regala was joined by other relatives of murder victims at a news conference in Olympia to announce the new legislative effort.

Tim Haeck, KIRO Radio Reporter
Tim Haeck is a news reporter with KIRO Radio. While Tim is one of our go-to, no-nonsense reporters, he also has a sensationally dry sense of humor and it will surprise some to learn he is a weekend warrior.
More Local News
Top Stories

  • Now What?
    Investigators, engineers, and lawmakers seek answers to fixing I-5 after bridge collapse

  • Survivor's Tale
    "I hit the brakes and we went off"

  • Bridge Distress
    Washington has an unfortunate history of bridge disasters
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (3)


  • Add A Comment

  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    They are trying to ban Abortion?
    November 29, 2012 3:37 pm
    I wish them well!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SnakeBite wrote...
    Death Penalty
    November 29, 2012 6:39 pm
    There is no such thing as "Life Without Parole"...Yes, the courts issue such sentences, but the practical side is that many of these people - if they survive the prison experience - are likely to get out sooner or later. Many are old, old men by then and their care costs the state plenty. The obvious exceptions - and will spend oblivion in the slammer - are the vile likes of Green River Killer Gary Ridgeway and his deranged violent types.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chris Halliday wrote...
    Please kill me!
    November 29, 2012 7:11 pm
    If I somehow get into enough trouble, let's say I kill five people, where I'm put in the slammer for the rest of my days, please kill me instead. Doing away with the death penalty would be cruel and unusual punishment. I've done 70 days in King County before (for a crime that got dismissed as a result of my successful self-representation) and that was 70 days way too many. It humors me when people think inmates got it easy with their three hots and a cot. I only did county time. Prison must be the worst kind of hell on Earth as it should be. But I must say, the time a prisoner does is all the punishment he or she should get. Keeping the tempurature low at about 60 degrees all the time, small food portions, and getting raped (of course) are all issues prisoners should not have to put up with. Jail time is hard time at any level and those that think prisoners should get no sympothy for the horrors they face in present day prisons are mistaken.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }