Everywhere it has been used, the death penalty has failed to reduce murders and other kinds of violence. In fact, studies actually show violence decreases after repeal of death penalties. If you want to stop drive-by shootings, work to rebuild communities, and vote NO on Proposition 196.
Any drive-by killing is deplorable and needs to be punished. Today, if a ``special circumstance'' such as a prior murder conviction is involved, the death penalty applies, otherwise the penalty may be life in prison without possibility of parole.
Proponents of Proposition 196 want to distinguish this crime from less heinous murders simply by the location of the defendant when the crime was committed. They want a killer who shoots from a car to be eligible for the death penalty, while the same killer who walks into a restaurant and shoots a child is not.
Applying the death penalty in this way would raise grave constitutional questions. According to the United States Supreme Court, there must be a meaningful basis for distinguishing between those who receive the death penalty and those who do not. The entire justification for a death penalty rests on the idea that ``special circumstances'' justify a special penalty. If this proposal is enacted, it would merely underline the irrationality of the entire death penalty.
As a voter, this is your chance to say NO to laws that divert attention and law enforcement resources from the really effective ways to reduce crime. VOTE NO ON PROPOSITION 196.
MICHAEL HENNESSY
Sheriff, City and County of San Francisco
WILSON C. RILES, JR.
Executive Director, American Friends Service
Committee of Northern California