Ashcroft's Death Penalty Edicts
The New York Times sharply rebukes John Ashcroft today for his decision to seek the death penalty in a dozen cases, contrary to the recommendations of his local prosecutors.
Mr. Ashcroft's decisions appear to be driven by a desire to see the death penalty used more. His aggressive promotion of capital punishment is not only wrong, it is badly timed. Popular support for the death penalty is declining, due in large part to the growing number of cases in which DNA evidence is exonerating death row inmates.... Mr. Ashcroft also seems to have a regional agenda. The reversals in New York and Connecticut are nearly half of all cases nationwide in which he has overruled decisions not to seek the death penalty. Mr. Ashcroft's drive to increase the use of capital punishment here flies in the face of the administration's oft-repeated commitment to allowing states and localities more control over policy issues.We've been covering this story for a week now, here is our latest post, which contains links to our earlier ones.
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