Death penalty opponents asking lawmakers to end the practice
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- State lawmakers are once again considering a bill to abolish the death penalty, and supporters of the cause believe public opinion is swinging in their favor.
On Wednesday a prominent capitol punishment supporter switched sides, and now says she no longer believes in the death penalty.
When her sister was murdered in 1981, Karil Klingbeil thought justice meant putting the killer, Mitchell Rupe, to death. But she longer believes that.
"I clearly wanted him dead," Klingbeil said. "There was no question that I was in favor of the death penalty, but I got smart."
Klingbeil joined other opponents of the death penalty to say "life in prison without parole" is a better alternative.
They say it spares the victims' families the grief of going through years of appeals, and they claim it saves taxpayers the million dollar cost of trying to put someone to death.
There have been only five executions since the death penalty was reinstated 30 years ago. The most recent was Cal Brown, who was put to death for the torture-murder of Holly Washa.
Holly's father, John Washa, said he still very much favors the death penalty.
"You do the crime, you pay for it," he said. "And if it's as bad as it was with my daughter, Holly, they need the death penalty."
Washa said even with the lengthy appeals process, it was worth it to watch Brown die.
"It took a long time, but I'm glad it's over with," he said. "We don't have to hear about him anymore."
Death penalty opponents put out a bill just about every session. They say the difference this year is they believe public support is going their way.
The death penalty bill is still in the hearing phase and there's no telling if it has any chance of getting voted on by the full House and Senate
On Wednesday a prominent capitol punishment supporter switched sides, and now says she no longer believes in the death penalty.
When her sister was murdered in 1981, Karil Klingbeil thought justice meant putting the killer, Mitchell Rupe, to death. But she longer believes that.
"I clearly wanted him dead," Klingbeil said. "There was no question that I was in favor of the death penalty, but I got smart."
Klingbeil joined other opponents of the death penalty to say "life in prison without parole" is a better alternative.
They say it spares the victims' families the grief of going through years of appeals, and they claim it saves taxpayers the million dollar cost of trying to put someone to death.
There have been only five executions since the death penalty was reinstated 30 years ago. The most recent was Cal Brown, who was put to death for the torture-murder of Holly Washa.
Holly's father, John Washa, said he still very much favors the death penalty.
"You do the crime, you pay for it," he said. "And if it's as bad as it was with my daughter, Holly, they need the death penalty."
Washa said even with the lengthy appeals process, it was worth it to watch Brown die.
"It took a long time, but I'm glad it's over with," he said. "We don't have to hear about him anymore."
Death penalty opponents put out a bill just about every session. They say the difference this year is they believe public support is going their way.
The death penalty bill is still in the hearing phase and there's no telling if it has any chance of getting voted on by the full House and Senate
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