Jan. 9 CALIFORNIA: Debate begins on state death-penalty moratorium----Opponents say measure would thwart voter will. Opponents of a proposed 3-year halt on capital punishment in California today launched what is likely to be the state's most contentious debate over the death penalty in a decade. The opponents, who include lawmakers, victims' rights advocates and district attorneys, contended that the proposed moratorium would be an end run around voters, a large majority of whom they say support the death penalty. "All this is, is a 'be kind to killers' act," complained Assemblyman Todd Spitzer, R-Orange, about the proposed ban, which is scheduled for a hearing in the Assembly on Tuesday. Proponents of the ban bristled at the characterization, however, saying that a temporary halt was justified given that 6 death-row inmates were exonerated in California since the death penalty was reinstated in 1973. The proposed moratorium is aimed at giving lawmakers and experts time to review the efficacy of California's death penalty system, advocates said. "It only makes common sense that when you are studying the things that go wrong with the death penalty, you don't keep executing people while you are doing it," said Assemblyman Paul Koretz, D-West Hollywood, a co-sponsor of the proposed moratorium. (source: Orange County Register) NORTH CAROLINA: Accused Cop Killer Could Face Death Penalty The man accused of killing a Boiling Spring Lakes police officer could still face the death penalty. In court Monday, a judge turned down a motion by the defense to strike the possibility of the death penalty for 20-year-old Darrell Maness. Maness is charged with 1st degree murder for shooting and killing Officer Mitch Prince. One year ago, Prince pulled Maness over for a traffic violation. The two scuffled, and according to detectives, Maness grabbed Prince's gun and shot him. Maness is scheduled to appear in court on February 13. He's awaiting trial in the Central Prison in Raleigh. He's being held without bond. (source: WECT News)
