Sen. Collins joins push for death penalty reforms

WASHINGTON – Maine Sen. Susan Collins joined in reintroducing death penalty reform legislation Wednesday, calling for more safeguards against wrongful convictions and executions in capital punishment cases.

“Too often, the task of presenting a defense for a death penalty case falls to inexperienced, overworked, overwhelmed counsel who are often grossly under-compensated,” Collins said.

The Innocence Protection Act would provide increased federal funds for state prosecutors involved in death penalty cases, improve appellate and review processes, and ensure adequate counsel for defendants. In addition, it would increase the use of DNA testing in capital cases.

“Since the reinstatement of capital punishment in 1967, 697 people have been executed in this country,” Collins said. “In that same period of time, an astounding 95 people who were sentenced to die had their convictions overturned and were released from death row.”

Collins said she has “always opposed the death penalty because of the possibility of putting to death an individual who has been wrongly convicted.

Collins and other co-sponsors were surprised and delighted by the increase in bipartisan support in both chambers. “Today 134 of us – Republicans and Democrats, supporters and opponents of the death penalty, members of the House and Senate – are joining together,” said Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., who is leading the effort in the Senate.

Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., said he is a proponent of the death penalty but supports this bill because “the ultimate tragedy would be taking the life of a person for a crime he did not commit.”

Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wisc., also a strong opponent of the death penalty, said, “Regardless of whether one opposes or supports the death penalty, we can all agree that the administration of this ultimate punishment should be fair.”

Leahy said the coalition has consulted widely with legal experts and practitioners to craft a bill that would work. “And this bill works,” he said.

Even though Maine does not have the death penalty, Reps. John Baldacci and Tom Allen are co-sponsors of the Innocence Protection Act.

“This sensible legislation is needed to ensure that innocent people are not sentenced to death for crimes they did not commit,” said Baldacci. The bill “will enhance safeguards for the falsely accused and make certain that everyone is treated with greater fairness in our criminal justice system – regardless of income or other considerations.”

“This is a no-brainer,” Allen said. “With the information we have received in recent years about the effects of DNA and its ability to prevent the execution of the innocent, this is just a logical step to be taken.”