Judge: Serial Killer Ross Competent, Can Waive Death Sentence Appeals

[Nye Bevan]

A New London Superior Court judge ruled Friday that serial killer Michael Ross is mentally competent to forgo his death penalty appeals.

"Michael Ross, a competent individual, has the right to make this voluntary decision concerning whether to pursue any further appeals regardless of what others may feel about his decision," Judge Patrick Clifford wrote.

The ruling clears a major hurdle to what would be New England's first
execution in 45 years.

...snip...

Ross is scheduled to be executed on May 11.

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/news/apress_042205_rosscompetent.html

[JerseygirlCT]

1. This one just gets stranger and more complicated all the time

I wish we'd just get rid of the DP and be done with it.

[NewJeffCT]

2. It's possible if we get a Dem governor

I've been waiting for that day since I was in college, but, I think the legislature would vote it down if it would save Ross. My guess is that it would have a better chance of passing after Ross is executed, unfortunately.

[Liberalgirl788]

3. Why Can't our Democrats pass it?

Don't we have the majority in the House and Senate? If the Governor won't sign it then at least we can blame her 100%. Maybe then people would find out the real Jodi is not as great as everyone thinks. Most people would prefer life in prison over killing another human being. What good is having the majority if we can't get the right legislation passed? Just like that discriminating amendment to the civil unions.....It couldn't have passed without Democrats like my old lying senile Senator supporting it!!!! I can't stand Republican's but I hate it when my own party sells me out. Will somebody please explain why do some Democrats want to act and vote so conservative? Why don't they just run as a Republican?

[JerseygirlCT]

4. I don't know, but I've got one of those bozo Dems who

seem to vote conservatively on some important topics. Even had the nerve to say to the local paper that he hadn't heard from ONE constituent opposed to the DP before the vote a few weeks ago. I thought I counted as one, personally.

When I called to yell at him after his "yes" vote on the DOMA amendment and "No" vote on civil unions, I made sure to point out to his staffer that I was also annoyed not only by his vote on the dp, but by his lack of truthfulness to the press on the issue.

Sigh. Doubt it will do any good.

[Liberalgirl788]

5. Jersey Girl: You're Rep sounds like a Republican to me

Does your Rep campaign like my old SENILE Senator Billy Ciotto who claims to be a tradional Democrat and then votes like a Repuke? Tell us, who is this Bozo? We need to let them know we don't like when they turn against us. I told my friends to vote for old senile Billy Ciotto and then he votes against equal rights. I may as well of voted for George Bush if I wanted to be lied to.

[JerseygirlCT]

6. John "Corky" Mazurek

Only one of the delegation from around here who voted that way, too.

Only good thing about state reps is that come election time, you often get to see them face to face and give them what for. Wish someone truly liberal would run against him.

And yeah, Ciotto is a real prize, too.

[Liberalgirl788]

7. I will add John "Corky" Mazurek to my jerk list!

My state Rep is a great guy Jim O'Rouke (sp?) and Jim always votes our way! I wish Senile Ciotto and Meathead Mazurek would take some lessons from my Rep.

[NewJeffCT]

8. O'Rourke was my rep a long time ago

I remember when I lived in Cromwell and he was first running - he even knocked on our door to ask for my vote. Seemed like a good guy then.

[NewJeffCT]

9. To be honest

I think the State Senate would pass it in a close vote, with it being up for grabs in the House, and not enough to survive a veto.

And, to be honest, I don't think it would hurt Rell in the general election. While the polls favor life in prison w/o parole as a preferable alternative, it's not an overwhelming margin, and I'm guessing a decent percentage of those that do favor that option wouldn't hold it against Rell if she voted for state sanctioned killing.

[Liberalgirl788]

10. Jodi has people blind

I only wish that Democrats would push to get rid of the death penalty forcing Jodi Rell to take a position. If she votes for state murder than all these Democrats that somehow think this lady is great would open there eyes. If she goes against state murder than she will have some explaining to do to her Republican friends. Either way, she makes enemies which is good for us in 2006 when we have a real chance of getting a Democrat elected for Governor.