Looks like its possible the State of Texas may be getting its head screwed on a little tighter. This fall, the legislature will consider altering the criminal justice system in Texas to give juries the option of life without possibility of parole along with the option of death in capital cases. Right now, juries can choose death or life with possibility of parole in 40 years. I guarantee that a change in this approach to life without possibility of parole will decrease the number of death sentences. Stories of juries surveyed that I've seen in the past indicate that a lot of the incentive at a death sentence is fear that a convicted murderer might some day be released if he or she is not executed. With an option of life without possibility of parole, a juror who might be inclined to think a defendant does not deserve death will not be as afraid to vote for a life sentence.

There is one quote in this article that is particularly disturbing. A resident of Huntsville (were the Texas death chamber is) was quoted as saying: "For every guy that didn't do it, there are 1,000 who did," he said. "Most of them are just animals. Anybody that doesn't like the death penalty, tell them to walk through death row and open all the doors and let them all out. I think they'd change their mind." The quote was made in response to an inquiry about what effect the fact that there may be innocent people on death row would have on his opinion of capital punishment. Of course, most of us abolitionists do not advocate letting capital murderers out on the streets. We abhor violence and believe those who participate in it should be punished. We abhor violence of any type, however, and are still able to recognize the intrinsic value of a human life. Its not all about the unequal application of the death penalty, the possibility of rehabilitation, or the possibility of innocence. Those are strong factors for me. Ultimately though, its about life and the government sanctioned murder of a human being in the name of justice.

Texas Weighs Its Life or Death Decisions