DEATH PENALTY FOR COP KILLERS [ARTICLE ON THE DEATH PENALTY OF THE WEEK ~ SUNDAY 2013 TO SATURDAY 2013]

NOTICE: The following article is written by the author itself and not by me, I am not trying to violate their copyright. I will give some information on them. As this week is THE NATIONAL POLICE WEEK 5K 2013, I will dedicate this article on the death penalty of the week by Martin Golden.

PAGE TITLE: http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/martin-j-golden

ARTICLE TITLE: Senate Passes Bill To Establish Death Penalty For Cop Killers

DATE: Friday 30 May 2008

AUTHOR: Martin Golden

AUTHOR INFORMATION: Martin J. Golden is an American politician from Brooklyn, New York, one of the five boroughs of New York City. Currently a member of the New York State Senate, Golden is a former member of the New York City Council. Until the election of fellow state senator David Storobin in 2012, Golden was the only Republican from Brooklyn currently in elected office (city, state or federal); he is one of the seven elected state or federal officials from New York City that are members of the Republican Party.

URL: http://www.nysenate.gov/news/senate-passes-bill-establish-death-penalty-cop-killers

 

Martin Golden

The New York State Senate today passed legislation, sponsored by Senator Martin Golden (R-C, Brooklyn), that would establish the death penalty for criminals who kill police officers.

“As a former New York City Police Officer, I know there is evil walking on the streets of the City and State of New York, endangering the lives of every single police officer,” Senator Golden said. “It is our responsibility to pass this legislation and send it to the Governor – we can no longer sit back and watch ruthless murderers take the lives of police officers. New York needs the death penalty to protect our society and our police officers who risk their lives every day for our safety and well-being. We must not let danger rule our streets.”

“Police officers all across this state put their lives on the line every day to protect the people of New York,” said Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno. “We must toughen our laws to protect police from becoming victims of violent criminals. Too many law enforcement officers are killed while honoring their commitment to protect and serve this state -- and many more are injured and wounded in the line of duty. We need to do everything we can to protect our brave heroes, and this legislation will protect our communities, and our police officers, from violent criminals.”

The legislation (S.6414) would establish the death penalty for the intentional murder of a police officer, peace officer or an employee of the Department of Correctional Services.

In 2004, the Court of Appeals overturned death penalty sentences, saying that judges were improperly required to instruct jurors in capital cases that if they deadlocked and failed to reach a verdict during the penalty phase of a trial, the judge would impose a sentence that would leave the defendant eligible for parole after 20 to 25 years.

This bill addresses those concerns with respect to the murder of a police officer, peace officer, or correctional officer by mandating the sentence of life without parole if the jury is deadlocked and unable to agree on the death penalty sentence.

“I urge the Assembly to bring this critically important bill to protect our police officers to the floor,” said Senator Bruno. “In 1995, 94 members of the Assembly voted in favor of death penalty legislation, and I believe this bill would pass if brought up for a vote.”

The bill was sent to the Assembly.