Meeting Public Comments

Eloise Cranke [Self]

I'm writing to urge you to vote NO on SF 320! Iowa has long opposed the death penalty for many good reasons. It's not a deterrent; it's costly; all too often innocent people are killed; persons of color are more likely to receive this sentence, whether guilty or not. In addition all these reasons, as a Christian I strongly oppose the death penalty. The United Methodist Church, of which I'm a member, has long had a position against the death penalty, believing that ALL children, even those who do terrible things, are children of God, and the state has no right to take their lives. Please vote NO on SF 320!

Michael Blackwell

I am opposed to the use of the death penalty for any purpose. I believe the government should not be allowed to kill any of the citizens they represent. Research has shown that the existence and/or use of the penalty does not deter violent crime. In addition, I do not support differentiating among occupations or other categories of people within the criminal justice system. The killing of a law enforcement officer should not be singled out for special punitive measures.Furthermore, the use of the death penalty is, and has historically been, racist in its application. As long as we live in a society with alarming racial disparities, we should not utilize the penalty. . .period.Moreover, mistakes in identifying homicidal malefactors has been imperfect. Wrongly applying the death penalty is irredeemable and criminal in and of itself.For the aforementioned reasons, I implore you not to move SF 320 forward.

Rev. Jill Michel

I am writing in opposition to SF320. As a person of faith who believes in the value of life, I wholeheartedly oppose the death penalty in all of its forms. Additionally, the death penalty is highly costly to the state due. And with a shown disparity in sentencing people of color, it is a dangerous tool to have at our disposal. Please stand against SF320.

Roberta Paige

I encourage you to vote no on SF320. I can hardly believe we are even considering the death penalty. People do change and they have a right to live to change. As a person of faith it is morally wrong. Murder is murder! A vote for this bill is murder. It also is not a deterrent to crime. It is used against Black men in particular! It is just wrong!!

Lewis Cox [Ames Collegiate United Methodist Church and Wesley Foundation]

To whom it may concern,I am writing to express my strong opposition to Senate File 320, which seeks to reintroduce the death penalty in Iowa for the specific crime of killing a police officer. I urge you to oppose this bill for several important reasons, both moral and practical. Moral Stance: As a person of faith, I believe that the government should not be in the business of taking life as punishment, regardless of the circumstances. The death penalty is not a form of retribution or justice; it is an irreversible action that leaves no room for error. Lack of Deterrence: The death penalty has been proven ineffective as a deterrent to crime. Numerous studies show that it does not reduce violent crime rates any more effectively than life imprisonment without parole. Cost: Implementing the death penalty is enormously expensive. Between the trial process, appeals, and the cost of maintaining death row inmates, this form of punishment consumes public resources that could be better spent elsewhere. Iowa already has life imprisonment without parole for those convicted of firstdegree murder, a more costeffective and equally effective sentence. Risk of Injustice: Innocent people have been sentenced to death, and once carried out, it is irreversible. The justice system is not perfect, and there have been many documented cases of wrongful convictions. Racial Disparities: The death penalty disproportionately affects Black men, especially when the victim is white. This disparity has led to widespread criticism and a deep mistrust in the system's fairness. FaithBased Perspective: Many people of faith, including myself, believe that taking a life as punishment is morally wrong. Our faith traditions teach us the value of mercy, forgiveness, and the sanctity of life.For these reasons, I respectfully ask that you oppose SF320 and vote against any attempts to reintroduce the death penalty in Iowa. I encourage you to reflect on the cost, fairness, and moral implications of this bill and stand in favor of more just and humane alternatives.Thank you for your time and consideration of this important issue.Below is a curated list of academic and reputable sources that support the claims regarding the death penalty:1. Moral Concerns "The Death Penalty: A Worldwide Perspective" by Roger Hood and Carolyn Hoyle: This book examines the ethical implications of capital punishment globally, discussing moral arguments against the death penalty.2. Ineffectiveness as a Deterrent "Does Capital Punishment Have a Deterrent Effect? New Evidence from PostMoratorium Panel Data" by Dezhbakhsh, Rubin, and Shepherd: This study analyzes data to assess the deterrent effect of the death penalty, concluding that there is no conclusive evidence supporting its deterrence effect. cjlf.org "Death and Deterrence Redux: Science, Law and Causal Reasoning on Capital Punishment" by Cass R. Sunstein and Justin Wolfers: This paper critically reviews studies on the deterrent effect of the death penalty, highlighting methodological issues and the lack of definitive evidence. deathpenaltyinfo.org3. High Costs "The High Cost of the Death Penalty" by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL): This report details the financial burdens of capital punishment, comparing costs to life imprisonment without parole. uakron.edu "Costs of the Death Penalty" by the Death Penalty Information Center: This resource provides an overview of studies showing that the death penalty is more expensive than alternative sentences. deathpenaltyinfo.org4. Risk of Injustice "The Death Penalty: A Worldwide Perspective" by Roger Hood and Carolyn Hoyle: This book discusses the potential for wrongful convictions in death penalty cases and the irreversible nature of such errors.5. Racial Disparities "Race and the Death Penalty" by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL): This report examines racial biases in death penalty prosecutions, highlighting disparities in sentencing and execution. nacdl.org "Racial Disparities in Federal Death Penalty Prosecutions 19881994" by the Death Penalty Information Center: This analysis reveals that a disproportionate number of federal death penalty prosecutions involve AfricanAmerican and MexicanAmerican defendants. deathpenaltyinfo.org6. FaithBased Opposition "Racial Inequity and the Death Penalty" by Equal Justice USA: This resource discusses how racial inequities in the death penalty system conflict with principles of justice and morality, resonating with faithbased opposition. ejusa.orgThese sources provide a comprehensive foundation for understanding the multifaceted arguments against the death penalty, encompassing moral, financial, and social perspectives.Lewis CoxAssociate Pastor and Campus MinisterAmes Collegiate United Methodist Church and Wesley FoundationmobilePhone5152926936emailAddresslewiscwames.orgwebsiteisuwesley.comaddress2622 Lincoln WayCreate Your Own Free Signature

Rev. Travis Stanley [Norwalk Christian Church]

I am Pastor at Norwalk Christian Church in Norwalk, Warren County, Iowa. Moving to this state from Texas, I was proud to be a resident of a state that does not allow the death penalty. Since living here, I have been able to minister to two people serving life without parole in our prison system. Getting to know these people, one who has served already 30 years of a life sentence for felony murder. I can see how she, even while incarcerated, is contributing to society. She helps knit prayer shawls for our church. She has brought about awareness of dogs in need of rescue. Shes earned two bachelors degrees, repaired relationships with children and family, and is doing the best she can to make a good life. And she is grateful she has that life. It is my strong personal and religious belief that the government should not kill a human being as retribution or punishment, regardless of the persons actionseven with the death of a police officer. Its been proven over and over again that the death penalty is not a deterrent to crime and is, in fact, a much more costly way of dealing with those convicted of firstdegree murder than life in prison. There have also been case after case of innocent people being put to death by States. It is unfair, unnecessary, invective, costly, and morally wrong. It will also cause many to look down on our great state, further hurting our image among the country and the world. No one is asking for this. This solves no problem. Please vote no on this bill.Rev. Travis StanleyPastor, Norwalk Christian ChurchNorwalk, IA

Jeffrey Anderson [Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church]

As United Methodists we worship a God who received the death penalty, as Jesus was tried, sentenced, and murdered by the state. Our commitment to the inherent dignity and worth of every person compels us to oppose capital punishment and the imposition of the death penalty. We call for the abolishment of the death penalty everywhere and oppose reinstating the death penalty in Iowa. Apart from our opposition based on our long held beliefs, we have concerns that contemporary capital punishment is flawed in theory and in practice, and racism, classism, and other systemic oppressions have shaped who receives capital punishment. As Christians we believe in a God who rejected the Cross and rejects capital punishment, and affirm our United Methodist Social Principles that state that the death penalty denies the power of Christ to redeem, restore, and transform all human being, so we opposed SF320. Jeff Anderson, Legislative Advocate Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church

Rita Carter

I strongly oppose this bill and any reinstatement of the death penalty in Iowa. Because humans are involved, their viewpoints can be mistaken and subjective, no matter how many rules are written to prevent this. I dont pretend to understand why and how a person decides to murder anotherpeace officer or any other personbut I do not want murder done in my name as an Iowan! Please do not advance SF320.

Amelia Lobo [Iowa voter]

Capital punishment has no place in a just society. The killing of any person, whether in the name of justice or not, is murder. I do not want murder committed in my name or in the name of my own loved ones. I strongly oppose the reinstatement of capital punishment. It is fundamentally unjust, does not deter crime, does not comfort the living, and does not bring back the dead. It also costs us in financial resources and time that could be best used to pursue true justice. NO to capital punishment in Iowa for any reason.