Capital Punishment – Big Decision for Governor

Stewart A. Alexander

2006 Candidate

California Lieutenant Governor

Peace and Freedom Party

Stewart A. Alexander is asking Schwarzenegger for a moratorium on executions in California for the remainder of 2006 because he thinks this matter should be left to California voters.

Stewart Alexander, a candidate for California Lieutenant Governor, believes Schwarzenegger has the right and responsibility to put executions on hold in California due to mistakes, problems in our criminal justice system and DNA evidence that has saved lives.

Alexander says, “Presently there are too many problems in the system, poor representation for defendants, over crowded courts, over crowded jails and prisons and too few judges. I believe voters and legislators need time to see the big picture, and hear both sides, to make a decision regarding the future of this life and death issue”.

In Sacramento, Assembly Bill 1121, was introduced which would have given Californians a chance to rethink capital punishment. The bill was sponsored by Democratic Assemblyman Paul Koretz. This bill was intended to put a three year moratorium on executions in California however the bill was blocked in the California Assembly’s Appropriations Committee.

Recently Schwarzenegger spoke with reporters at the Sacramento Press Club and responding to questions the governor made a statement regarding doctor assisted suicide and the death penalty, “I personally think this is a decision probably that should go to the people, like the death penalty and other big issues”.

Alexander says, “Schwarzenegger has just permitted the execution of Stanley “Tookie” Williams and Clarence Ray Allen now that the November Election is close the governor is trying to clean his hands”.

Schwarzenegger will have the opportunity to leave this big decision to California voters because in a few days, on February 17, Michael Morales is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection and all Californians will be focused on the governor’s final decision, and to see if he will leave Morales’s fate in the hands of the voters.

Michael Morales was convicted of killing 17 year old Terri Winchell in the area of San Joaquin County in 1981. A questionable jailhouse informant’s testimony, in part, provided evidence that lead to the decision to execute Morales.

Alexander says, “Morales has already spent over 24 years in jail and prison and has been remorseful for his acts. He is no longer a treat to society however he should spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole”.

Stewart Alexander is asking people across America to write or e-mail the governor and ask him to do the right thing, “Shut death row down permanently”.

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stewartalexander4p&f@adelphia.net