The House Criminal Justice Committee passed a bill to end the death penalty amid an intense debate that got personal at times. Bill author New Iberia Representative Terry Landry took some harsh criticism, but held firm to belief that racial disparities in arrests and sentencing, and the number of death sentences that have been overturned justify ending the practice.
“Go find me a man that’s got money on death row! There is none, because if you have the resources, justice is for you. If you are disproportionate socially, economically, and ethnically, justice is not for you.”
The measure passed 8-7.
But some members of the public opposing the legislation took issue with Landry’s, and other’s accusation that discriminatory policing effects the integrity of the death penalty. Death penalty proponent Michelle Perkins went after the New Iberia Democrat.
“I am insulted that Terry Landry brought this before and is bragging that he is law enforcement! I can assure you that law enforcement families across the state of Louisiana do not feel that way that he does. I resent this “racism racism”. Quit pushing this in Louisiana!”
Landry is the former State Police superintendent and is a Vietnam vet.
Supporters of the bill weren’t just arguing against the morality of the death penalty, but also the extensive costs that go along with it. Death penalty opponent Jessica White cited research that shows the death penalty costs the state 15.4 million dollars a year.
“Death row inmates, per year at Angola, cost about 64,301 dollars. An average, general population inmate, who is healthy, costs 13,952 dollars.”
Wayne Guzzardo takes offense to argument about cost. Guzzardo’s daughter was gunned down in a 1995 robbery, and has expressed disappointment that the murderer’s sentence has not been carried out. He says the cost of the death penalty does not outweigh the value of justice.
“When when talks about expenses, it insults the hell out of me that he would put a price tag, or anyone else who thinks that way, on my daughter’s life. It insults me.”
