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05/06 thru 07/06 of adults nationwide by USA/Gallup. They asked the question, "Are you in favor of the death penalty for a person convicted of murder?"
The results listed 65% in favor of the death penalty, 28% opposed, and 7% unsure.

In 1989, when serial killer Ted Bundy was executed, a friend of mine had been a kid living in Starke. She told me she remembered folks picketing, and others literally cheered in the streets after it took place.

Its a failing, though, when the real problem takes a backseat to this debate. We can't forget to put our best efforts into p r e v e n t i o n of these atrocious crimes. Unbelievably, Mark Dean Schwab had been released in 1991 after serving only 3 years of his 8-year prison sentence for the offense of sexual battery with a weapon. He was placed on 15 years probation. Within two months of his release, he committed the horrible acts to Junny Rios-Martinez, Jr. that he is sentenced to die for.

One step taken in the right direction is the "Junny Rios-Martinez, Jr. Act of 1992." It prohibits those convicted of sexual battery from receiving "gain-time" or early prison release, in the state of Florida.

Although, of course, there is no guarantee that Schwab wouldn't have committed a similar crime after serving the full 8-years sentenced, there's no doubt that had he been incarcerated, instead of free to prey on Junny (or others), the victim, and victimization of the Rios-Martinez family and friends would have been spared. Possibly, to some extent, even the debate of how to punish Schwab for his heinous crimes.

Since 1979, 62 men and 2 women (convicted husband-killer Judy Buenoano, by electrocution, and serial killer Aileen Wuomos, by injection) have been executed in Florida. To date, no one has been executed for drug charges.

On some levels, the answer to what merits the death penalty is difficult. There are some who can make an argument that it is a barbaric way for society to deal with crime; they believe life in prison is a civilized measure. Still, others see it as a necessary evil; they cite justice, deterrence, and a drain on state resources as valid reasons.

The fact is, according to Florida's Department of Corrections Death Row Roster, 384 prisoners sit on Florida's Death Row. All are male, and all are convicted of some form of murder. In May 2007, the Florida Department of Corrections issued new protocols regarding lethal injections, based upon the findings of former governor Bushs commission. Executions will continue.

So, although the moral implications of imposing a death penalty can be hard for some, the answer to what merits the death penalty in Florida is fairly simple. Loosely translated: if one is found guilty in a court of law (and upon appeal) of murder, either premeditated or in the course of committing a felony act; an act of capital sexual battery; or a capital drug-trafficking offense, they can be punished by death in Florida. According to state laws, these crimes merit the death penalty.

10/13/07

Find info on your state's death penalty laws at:
www.deathpenaltyinfo.org

Dea th Row Statistics and background provided by:
www.dc.state.fl.us

Learn more about this author, A. Pesarosa.
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