Sept. 19 WISCONSIN: Death Penalty Debate: Voters Could Have Their Say in 2006 The Chai Vang case lead to a new debate about the death penalty. The Chai Vang case could spark a new debate about an old issue in Wisconsin. Vang was convicted of killing 6 hunters and wounding 2 others. He faces life in prison. Wisconsin does not have the death penalty. Representative Scott Suder says that could change. Suder says his office took several calls during the trial. He says many people want the death penalty reinstated because of a case like the one in Sawyer County. Suder says lawmakers will go to work on an advisory referendum. If they get that approved in committee and both the Senate and Assembly approve it, a question about the death penalty will go on the ballot in November of 2006. The results would not directly change anything and would not affect Vang's case. Lawmakers say they'd want to know what voters think about the issue. A Badger Poll was conducted about the death penalty two years ago. At that time, 64% of those surveyed supported the death penalty. "I'm opposed to the death penalty, not really for moral or religious reasons, but simply because there have been so many cases that have been brought forth where a person was found innocent years later. With the death penalty, there's no remedy for that," said Representative Jeff Wood. (source: WQOW News)
