Debate continues on controversial death penalty

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Updated: 10/10/2012 5:33 pm

" What's left? Another life term? Those inmates don't care," said one death penalty supporter.

It's a strong message that these opponents of Proposition 34 are trying to get across.

" Remember these are cop killers, child killers out there," Fresno County Sheriff Mims said.

The Fresno Deputy Sheriff's Association along with Fresno County's District Attorney want to preserve the death penalty in California, and they're urging voters to do the same.

"Vote no on Prop 34," said Sheriff Mims.

They believe it's the only way to give victim's and their families closure.

" This is a matter of law, this is a matter of justice for victims," Mims said. 

If it passes, 725 California inmates currently on death row will have their sentences converted to life in prison without the possibilty of parole which means that's the toughest penalty prosecutors can seek.

" If you over turn the death penalty I need the tool to go after these individual," said one officer. 

Supporters of Prop 34 released this statement:

"Life without possibility of parole works and ensures we will never execute an innocent person in California."

They also believe doing away with the death penalty will save the state $1 billion in 5 years, but others believe it's not about the price tag.

"You can't put a price tag on justice," said Sheriff Mims.

They say getting rid of the death penalty sends the wrong message.

"What kind of message does that send to people who do these horrible crimes?" Mims said.

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The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of KGPE CBS47 TV

B H Moore - 10/10/2012 7:02 PM
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I am comfortable with the investigative and forensic abilities of our law enforcement agencies. Mistakes are rare in death penalty cases, rare enough to be rectified in a timely manner. The problem we face are the insufferabl long appeals. We need to streamline the judicial review and get on with clearing these cases from the books.
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