Alabama must move forward with death penalty sentences to ensure justice for crime victims
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Eye on Politics
Paul DeMarco
After the controversy over the past two executions in Alabama being postponed, Gov. Kay Ivey has now entered a moratorium on the death penalty in the state.
Gov. Ivey has asked Attorney General Steve Marshal to withdraw request for pending motions to set executions and for a complete review of the process.
The Alabama Department of Corrections has had its fair share of problems and criticism. They are now tasked with satisfying the governor that they have it right and can carry out the ultimate punishment. Corrections officials have to methodically and exhaustively address any issue that has arisen with the process and the people involved to satisfy Ivey that the state is ready to move forward so she will lift the moratorium.
There is no doubt that questions have to be answered to ensure that when a jury recommends and a judge enters the order a death sentence must be upheld.
Families of crime victims already have to wait decades for justice. The governor herself questioned the endless last minute appeals that delay executions after numerous appeals have already been turned down in both state and federal court.
There are some that simply do not want there to be any death penalty period. That is not the law in Alabama, and these sentences must move forward.
Thus, the review of the process needs to be done expeditiously to ensure capital punishment sentences are carried out. Crime victims and the citizens of the state of Alabama deserve no less than a criminal justice system that instills public confidence.
Paul DeMarco is a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives and can be found on Twitter @Paul_DeMarco.