New Jersey Governor Signs Death Penalty Ban
New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine signed into law on Monday a measure abolishing the death penalty, making the northeastern state the first in a generation to repeal capital punishment and the 14th in the nation to ban the practice.
The entire room erupted into applause when Corzine signed the bill, which replaces the death sentence with life in prison without parole.
"It's a day of progress for the state of New Jersey and for the millions of people across our nation and around the globe who reject the death penalty as a moral or practical response to the grievous, even heinous, crime of murder," Corzine told the packed room.
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The Garden State governor said he signed the legislation "with pride" and insisted before sealing the measure that lawmakers not combat violence with what he called "state-endorsed killing."
On Sunday, Corzine signed orders commuting the sentences of eight men on the state's death row to life in prison without parole.
"This bill does not forgive or in any way condone the unfathomable acts carried out by the eight men now on New Jersey's death row," noted Corzine. "They will spend the rest of their lives in jail."
Lawmakers in the Democrat-controlled state General Assembly and Senate approved the bill abolishing the death penalty last week.
Many republicans had opposed the measure, arguing for capital punishment in cases involving those who murder law-enforcement officials, rape and murder children, and for terrorists.
The New Jersey Death Penalty Study Commission concluded in a report issued earlier this year that the law did not fit with evolving standards of decency, was more costly to the state than life in prison, did not effectively prevent violent crime, and could lead to innocent people being executed. The commission – comprised of prosecutors, law-enforcement, victims, religious groups, and individuals – also reported that the death penalty law hasn't resulted in an execution since 1963 and was unfair for victims' families seeking swift justice.
Sister Helen Prejean, whose work against the death penalty was dramatized in the film "Dead Man Walking," praised the ban after witnessing the historic moment.
"The word will travel around the globe that there is a state in the United States of America that was the first to show that life is stronger than death, that love is greater than hatred," Prejean told the crowd.
Death penalty opponents are hoping that other states will follow New Jersey's move.
"The rest of America, and for that matter the entire world, is watching what we are doing here today," said Assemblyman Wilfredo Caraballo, a Democrat who approved the legislation. "New Jersey is setting a precedent that I'm confident other states will follow."
The announcement of the state's ban was celebrated as a historic victory in the international anti-death penalty movement. Rome plans to light the Colosseum – once the arena for deadly gladiator combat and executions – for 24 hours on Tuesday to show support.
The lighting will take place on the same day the United Nations General Assembly is expected to endorse a decision to place a moratorium on executions worldwide.
A ban on executions was lifted by the U.S. Supreme Court in its 1976 landmark ruling.
Currently, the nation's highest court has placed a moratorium on all executions as it considers whether lethal injection constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. The case will be argued in February 2008.
Families of victims expressed divided opinions on the abolition of New Jersey's death penalty.
Eileen and Charles Bennett, whose son-in-law murdered their daughter and two grandchildren before committing suicide, supported the ban.
Charles Bennett said that executing him would not have brought him any closure.
"The only thing it does is it allows the state to seek revenge in my name," he told told Fox 29 News of Philadelphia. "And I don't want that."
"Closure comes when I pass away, and I'm reunited with my family."
Decrying the ban, Sharon Hazard-Johnson said, "Justice should have been served."
"I think we all know that justice has not been served. It is quite unbelievable," said Hazard-Johnson, whose parents were killed by Brian Wakefield in 2001. The new law spares Wakefield.
Richard and Shirley Hazard were murdered and robbed in their home in Pleasantville, N.J., and granddaughter Nikki Hazard Rivera has called the bill unfair to the victims and survivors of the crimes or any future crimes that may be committed.
"I personally knew the Hazards. They were fine Christian, God-fearing people who opened their home up to anyone and color had no bearing," Rivera quoted from a post on pressofatlanticcity.com. "I don't believe in an eye for an eye but I do believe in capital punishment."
Richard Kanka, the father of Megan Kanka, whose offender sits on death row, also strongly disagreed with the new law.
The murder of his 7-year-old daughter by sex offender Jesse Timmendequas in 1994 gave rise to Megan's Law, which requires public notification when a convicted sex offender moves into a neighborhood.
Kanka noted that Corzine signed the bill exactly 15 years to day that death row inmate Ambrose Harris kidnapped, raped and murdered 22-year-old artist Kristin Huggins of Lower Makefield, Pa., The Associated Press reported.
"Just another slap in the face to the victims," said Kanka.
New Mexico, Montana and Nebraska have attempted to abolish the death penalty but similar bills have failed to secure enough support within the legislatures.
