Nebraska lawmakers watch the vote tally on a measure abolish the death penalty on May 27. Senators in the one-house Legislature voted 30-19 to override Gov. Pete Ricketts, a Republican who supports the death penalty. (Nati Harnik, The Associated Press)
Re: “Nebraska right to abolish death penalty,” June 3 letters to the editor.
While the majority may be in favor of abolishing the death penalty, there is one compelling reason to leave it on the books, despite the claim that it does not prevent murders. When a criminal who is obviously guilty of the stated crime is faced with the possibility of death, he or she more likely would agree, if offered, to the lesser sentence of life imprisonment without parole, thus negating the need for further legal action by defendantap lawyers.
Even if only one defendant decides to choose the plea bargain, it would not only be a triumph for the legal system but also for taxpayers who are required to pay for defendants’ appeals.
Nelson Marans, Silver Spring, Md.
This letter was published in the June 8 edition.
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