The opponents of Proposition 195 fail to make any valid argument against the merits of this necessary change to California's Death Penalty Law.
Instead, the opponents who are clearly philosophically opposed to the death penalty engage in a typical attack on the utility and wisdom of the death penalty.
In truth, the death penalty is a deterrent. Those who are executed never kill again. Moreover, society rightly expects that those who commit the most aggravated murders may, after careful procedures are followed, forfeit their own lives for their heinous crimes.
On three separate occasions in the last 25 years, California voters have overwhelmingly voted to support the death penalty. The opponents of 195 choose to ignore this mandate by making a misleading argument that is simply untrue.
Proposition 195 simply updates the death penalty law by adding ``carjacking'' and ``kidnapping-carjacking'' first-degree felony murders to a list of special circumstances that make a criminal eligible for the death penalty.
Also, while the current death penalty law covers retaliatory murders of witnesses, prosecutors, and judges, it does not include a retaliatory first-degree murder of a juror. Proposition 195 therefore adds this terrible crime to the special circumstance list.
Contrary to the arguments of the opposition, the death penalty is supported by cops, prosecutors, and crime victims. That is why these same groups overwhelmingly support 195.
The bottom line is that the opposition has no merit.
Vote Yes on 195!
SUSAN A. DAVIS
Assemblywoman, 76th District
JIM MORRISSEY
Assemblyman, 69th District
MICHAEL FERGUSON
District Attorney of Nevada County