Scott Peterson Deserving of Death Penalty, Says California Activist
by Jody Brown
December 14, 2004
(AgapePress) - The president of a California pro-family organization says it is "morally right" that the jury has recommended Scott Peterson receive the death penalty for murdering his wife Laci and their unborn son Conner.One month after finding Peterson guilty of first-degree murder in the death of his wife and second-degree murder in the death of his son, the same 12 jurors returned an unanimous recommendation that the 32-year-old Modesto man be put to death. The jury deliberated for 12 hours over three days. Just prior to announcing their decision, the jurors reviewed several exhibits from the trial, including photos of Laci's and Conner's bodies on the shore of San Francisco Bay four months after they were reported missing.
The judge in the case does not have to follow the jury's recommendation when Peterson is officially sentenced in late February. The judge could instead hand down a life sentence. But if Peterson is sentenced to die, under California law he is automatically entitled to an appeal and is provided an attorney specifically for that process. Assignment of an attorney could take up to five years -- and only then can the appeals process begin.
According to Crime.about.com, the death sentence is seldom carried out in the Golden State. Columnist Charles Montaldo notes that since the death penalty was reinstated in 1977, only 10 of 62 criminals sentenced to death have been executed. "The chances are greater that Peterson will die of old age before being executed," says Montaldo.
'Unmistakable Message' Sent
Regardless of the official sentencing, Randy Thomasson of Campaign for Children and Families (CCF), a pro-family group in California, says the jury's decision was the right one.
Randy Thomasson | |
"This verdict sends an unmistakable message that you can't murder and get away with it," Thomasson says in a press statement. "The jury's unanimous decision was morally right. Giving killers the death penalty reminds us all that murder is unacceptable in a civilized society."According to Thomasson, the death penalty is supported by California law, the Judeo-Christian ethic, and "the moral conscience of millions of Californians and Americans." In his opinion, anyone who murders another person loses his right to life.
"A society that believes in the sanctity of human life must necessarily support the death penalty in order to protect the innocent," he says.
Thomasson, whose organization takes a strong pro-life position on the issue of abortion, says the Peterson case "put the life of unborn babies on the map." But he sees some irony in the outcome of the trial. "Why is it wrong for Scott Peterson to murder his pre-born son, but okay for politicians and judges to continue to allow late-term abortions?" he wonders.
Laci Peterson was eight months pregnant at the time of her death. Scott Peterson had reported her missing on Christmas Eve 2002. Her body and that of her son Conner washed ashore in late April 2003.
