​Debates over the death penalty frequently bring forth pro and con arguments from public officials (see below) and advocacy groups, though less often from former Death Row prisoners. But Kirk Bloodsworth, whose murder conviction in Maryland was overturned by DNA evidence, filled just that role in an op-ed published this week in The News Tribune.
The issue drew the attention earlier this year of Rep. Reuven Carlyle of Seattle, the prime
sponsor of House Bill 1504 to add Washington to the list of states that have abolished the death penalty. Although Rep. Carlyle and other supporters of the bill knew its chances of passage were virtually nil this year, they believed strongly their case was worth making in hopes they would one day prevail.
Rep. Carlyle and fellow Democratic Rep. Tina Orwall of Des Moines released a statement in support of the bill, joined by Republican Rep. Maureen Walsh of Walla Walla. You can watch Rep. Carlyle testifying for the bill before the House Judiciary Committee here.