My stomach knotted as I read evidence of what is at best a disregard for life -- at worst, an underlying blood thirst. We expect that from serial killers, but from America's foremost law-enforcement agency?
Last week, former U.S. Attorney Paul Charlton testified before Congress that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales had ordered him to pursue the death penalty, even in cases where evidence was lacking (Washington Post).
Charlton described one case against a drug dealer who allegedly murdered his supplier. Charlton decided against the death penalty, because he didn't have a murder weapon, DNA or the victim's body. Charlton didn't want to risk killing the wrong person.
He believed the victim's body was buried in a landfill and asked the Justice Department to pay $500,000+ to retrieve it. The Department refused, and Gonzales ordered Charlton to pursue the death penalty. (WaPo).
Put aside our Attorney General's possible misuse of his office to promote partisan agendas. What kind of person would insist on the death penalty in cases that lacked evidence? Does he not grasp that death is irreversible? Does he believe each skull on his belt incrementally boosts virility?
Since Gonzales became Attorney General, how many people were unjustly executed?
Truthout has video and a summary of an exclusive interview with Charlton. See what others are saying (next page):
* An Awkward Moment (Border Reporter)
* The Hanging Judge (Reid Report)
* The Culture of Life at DoJ (Mirror of Justice)
* Conservative Respect for Life (Neon Gods)
* Attorney General Pushed Death Penalty (Minor-League Politico)
* Their Culture of Life (Phoebe Fay)
* Fired Prosecutors Update (The Agitator)
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