A death penalty ruling by the US Supreme Court will have an effect in New Hampshire. The high court has ruled that executing people who committed their crimes when they were under 18…..constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. The 5 to 4 decision invalidates laws in 19 states, including NH, which allow the execution of minors.
No criminal of any age has been put to death in NH since 1939………But the state's death penalty law in general -- and it's application to minors in particular -- has long been a contentious issue….Four years ago, Lawmakers voted to repeal the death penalty statue……only to have it vetoed by then Governor Jeanne Shaheen……..Last year, the legislature voted to raise the minimum age for the death penalty from 17 to 18……..But Governor Benson stepped in, veto pen in hand, to maintain the status quo..
"When somebody regardless of their age is bold enough to take the life of a police officer their should be no exceptions -- we should make sure they pay the ultimate price."
Governor Lynch has been less vocal about the death penalty than his most recent predecessors. But he's never indicated that he sees any need to change current law…..When asked about the ruling yesterday, Lynch's response was minimal.
"Well I'll have to look at that and see what they said -- I had not heard that, so I'll have to look at that."
Staunch death penalty opponents, however, proved more a bit more effusive.……In a statement, Manchester house member Steve Vallaincourt noted that "Any day NH comes closer to joining the rest of the civilized world is a good day." His happiness was shared by fellow house member Jim Splaine. The Portsmouth democrat sponsored both the failed death penalty repeal bills……He says the Supreme court has done not only the right thing for the country, but a good thing for NH.
"Most importantly it really puts the perspective once again within this state on the entire question of the death penalty and whether we should be really doing this to anybody."
But supporters of the current statute…….and they include many in the law enforcement community, stress that NH has not executed anyone for decades -- let alone a minor. They say the law is an effective deterrent.
"I think it makes a young person think twice about what they're doing before they do it."
Nathanial Sawyer is Chief of Police in New Hampton and vice president of the state police chiefs association…….
"You know we supported it, and I think continue to support the philosophy ---although I don't know where it goes with that court decision."
The high court's ruling comes at the same time as lawmakers are again considering raising the age of execution to 18. That measure was approved by a house committee on a 9 to 6 vote, and is slated for a vote by the full house next week.
