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Barbaric penalty

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 19, 2009

Gov. Charlie Crist's proclaiming, "I believe in the death penalty" promises a bleak future for Florida should he become a U.S. senator. Those who crave judicious solutions should be insulted.

During a recent trip to Union Correctional in Raiford to visit Paul William Scott, who is probably innocent but has been death row since 1979 while the confessed killer was released in 1994, we concluded there must be a better way, and as an intelligent species, we must seek it.

"Corrections" has been perversely redefined as a dismal abyss of zero progress, positive outcomes or profit. Ironically, at this particular facility, we were befuddled by a boastful logo we studied during our hours of wait: "Best of the Best."

We didn't dare imagine what the worst of the worst remedial environment resembled.

How bereft are we when our leaders pitch a practice rife with misery and prolonged pain? Victims' families are subjected to this for years on end, too. The consistent high crime rate proves it is not a deterrent. Obviously, recidivism is just as "cured" by life without parole, and the exorbitant legal cost robs victims and children of services which could ease their temporal suffering.

For example, Crist is curiously idle on our friend Paul's fate. He hasn't had a signed death warrant since 1994. Why would it possibly take 30 years to execute an indigent, legally ignorant, overly tattooed man who was misrepresented by an incompetent public defender, as since sworn in affidavits by jurors?

Paul wrote six governors asking to be killed. During decades as an innocent, Paul begged for death as sentenced or freedom as warranted by the facts.

Even if one innocent American were executed, that's reason enough to bury a barbaric habitude. Yet 23 exonerated citizens since 1973 does not compel Crist to re-evaluate his belief.

Until Floridians unite for true justice, productive corrections and prudent stewardship, Crist will continue to inspire society with fruitless vengeance.

EDWARD MCELDUFF

Bethlehem, Pa.

The writer is a Catholic priest.

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