Washington Supreme Court tosses out state's death penalty

[Berlin Expat]

Source: Associated Press

Washington state’s Supreme Court has ruled that the death penalty violates its Constitution.

The ruling Thursday makes Washington the latest state to do away with capital punishment. The justices said the “death penalty is invalid because it is imposed in an arbitrary and racially.” They ordered that people currently on death row have their sentences converted to life in prison.



Read more: https://apnews.com/e06f6693bfb645da95053e22fae8fd83?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=AP&utm_campaign=SocialFlow

[NurseJackie]

1. Very good news. I'm glad to hear this!

[3Hotdogs]

2. If the state appeals, can Kavanaugh and the other ghouls restore it?

[Berlin Expat]

3. Washington State Supreme Court

ruled it's unconstitutional and frankly, I doubt the State of Washington would have anywhere to appeal to - it's purely a state matter, not a federal issue, so SCOTUS would have no say.

[maxsolomon]

4. The State won't appeal.

It is governed by rational humans: Democratic politicians.

[Rural_Progressive]

8. That is true

and living on the east side of the Cascades I get to hear the right wing fringe of the state constantly complain about that situation.

Going to town tomorrow and I suspect I'll hear about how them "libturds are soft on crime, etc, etc, etc,"

Proud of my state even if I'm going to have to listen to more BS about them "freaks on the coast" and how they're dragging us down.

[maxsolomon]

9. What crime? Crime is at historic lows.

Seattle is a place where you drop your wallet on the ground and someone takes half their day to get it back to you.

Throw that back in their face.

[Rural_Progressive]

10. I'm going out on a limb here

and assuming you have not spent a lot of time interacting with a lot of people who live east of Cle Ellum otherwise you would have realized the futility of your statement.

We live here because it is beautiful, we can farm without having to be mortgaged up the wazoo. There are wonderful people that we interact with and enjoy. That said, there are many people who we avoid at all costs or at best have a "Wassz up?" relationship with, in other words for us, the benefits out way the disadvantages.

We both grew up rural and are much more comfortable living here than in any city. There is a price to pay however, part of that price is some of the unmitigated, totally against their own personal interest BS we hear many of our fellow citizens spout at the drop of a hat.

Just no changing stupid I'm afraid.

[maxsolomon]

14. I have spent a lot of time in E. WA.

I have a project in Chelan right now. My wife works in Cheney, Pullman, Moscow.

I know people in E. WA hold a great many beliefs (fears, mainly) that have no basis in reality, they think urbanites are effete snobs and godless sodomites, and they won't listen to countervailing facts.

Just like country folk I've met in SE Indiana. In fact, they're pretty much exactly like rural people across the globe. Sure, #notallruralpeople, but it's a real thing: xenophobia.

Its why I supported Rittereiser for the 8th District. He knows how to appeal to E. WA. He's from there, and Schreier hasn't a clue how to start.

[ET Awful]

5. USSC wouldn't have jurisdiction if I'm not mistaken.

They have no authority to decide matters pertaining to a state constitution unless it directly conflicts with the US Constitution or violates a federal statute.

[Judi Lynn]

6. Some of the very best news we could hear. Thank you, so much, Berlin Expat. n/t

[Berlin Expat]

7. My pleasure -

I'm an ex-Washingtonian myself - SW Washington - so this makes me happy to hear. Good news from my (former) home.

[laserhaas]

11. Awesome news

[ZeroSomeBrains]

12. Good for washington state

Capital punishment has been and always will be a terrible idea.

[Aristus]

13. YAY!

Proud of my state!

Put 'em away forever if we have to. But let's not stoop to their level.