Group Backs Bill To Abolish Death Penalty

The Denver Post

A coalition of religious leaders, defense lawyers and families of unsolved- murder victims gathered Monday at the Capitol to voice support for a bill abolishing Colorado's death penalty.

The legislation, House Bill 1274, would take an estimated $1 million the state spends prosecuting capital crimes and dedicate the funds to solving cold cases.

As in several other states this year, bill backers are waging their war based on money, not morality.

Rabbi Steven Foster of Temple Emanuel in Denver said he doesn't care why lawmakers vote for the bill.

"However we can get rid of the death penalty is OK by me," Foster said. "All of us believe people are created in God's image."

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson signed a law ending capital punishment in that state this year. New Hampshire, Montana, Kansas and Maryland have also considered anti- death-penalty bills this year.

Opponents of the bill say death sentences are key to dissuading future criminals.

Bill sponsor and House Majority Leader Rep. Paul Weissmann said he's meeting with Gov. Bill Ritter on the legislation later this week.

Ritter, a former Denver district attorney, favors the death penalty.

Weissmann, D-Louisville, expects the bill to come up for consideration in the House on April 15.