Jennifer Butler: Rethink the death penalty in Virginia | Guest Columnist | pilotonline.com Page | of 5
Essential ;
Everyday Spiral (Cie ae
Sliced Ham Tau thesh nage
Save nowO i 7 SUBST EERE DEEE EST Eeop FEE SSf2
GUEST COLUMNIST Home / Opinion / Columnists / Guest Columnist
http://pilotonline.com/opinion/columnist/guest/jennifer-butler-rethink-the-death-penalty-in-
virginia/article_85207c2e-1b36-5ee8-a8d1 -0664c2b3c327.html
Jennifer Butler: Rethink the death penalty in Virginia
14 hrs ago
http://pilotonline.com/opinion/columnist/guest/jennifer-butler-rethink-the-death-penalty-in... 3/26/2016
Jennifer Butler: Rethink the death penalty in Virginia | Guest Columnist | pilotonline.com — Page 2 of 5
ilotonline.com/opin
Jennifer Butler: Rethink the death penalty in Virginia | Guest Columnist | pilotonline.com — Page 3 of 5
Share GH
THIS WEEK, believers across the globe have immersed themselves in ceremonies and rituals
that honor the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many reflected on how the son of
God was unjustly tried and sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit.
Most, however, forget the penitent thief who died alongside Christ after asking to be forgiven.
“You will be with me in paradise,” Jesus told the man before dying.
Easter presents a unique opportunity for faith communities to rethink our criminal justice
system and the role that forgiveness, compassion and redemption should play. Jesus’ trial and
subsequent execution is perhaps the best example believers have for abolishing the death
penalty and embracing mercy.
Virginia lawmakers recently approved a bill allowing the state to execute death row inmates
using the electric chair when lethal injection drugs are unavailable. The bill now awaits the
signature of Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who has a moral responsibility to veto the bill
immediately.
Though the electric chair has been a vehicle for executions in Virginia for decades, since 1995
it has served only as an option for inmates rather than a requirement. If McAuliffe fails to
veto this bill, the fate of seven prisoners on death row rests in the balance as Virginia’s supply
of lethal injection drugs will soon expire.
While many drug companies have blocked the use of their products in lethal injections,
reviving the mandatory use of the electric chair is not the answer.
B
4 Stages to a Heart Attack
wR
Wa Signs
The Cardiac Killer
http://pilotonline.com/opinion/columnist/guest/jennifer-butler-rethink-the-death-penalty-in... 3/26/2016
Jennifer Butler: Rethink the death penalty in Virginia | Guest Columnist | pilotonline.com Page 4 of 5
Virginia has a history of botched executions with the electric chair, according to data
collected by Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. In 1990, the first electric shock
caused blood to gush from the mask worn by Wilbert Lee Evans, drenching his shirt. He
would endure another jolt of electricity before dying. In 1991, the pulse of Derick Lynn
Peterson could still be detected more than 7 minutes after corrections officials delivered what
was believed to be a deadly shock. A second surge of electricity was also needed to execute
him.
There is only one clear and obvious solution to the lethal injection problem facing Virginia
and other death penalty states — abolish the death penalty.
Throughout the country, the tide against capital punishment is turning. More and more U.S.
states are abandoning the death penalty as a broken system ridden with racial bias and prone
to error. Approximately 19 U.S. states and the District of Columbia have abolished the death
penalty, and six more states have not carried out an execution in 10 years or more, according
to Amnesty International USA. In 2015, Nebraska became the most recent state to abolish the
death penalty.
Faith communities are joining the crusade. Pope Francis expressed the Catholic Church’s
opposition to the death penalty, calling it “inadmissible, no matter how serious the crime
committed” and proclaiming 2016 as the “Year of Mercy.”
As a lifelong Christian, I remain inspired by the mercy that Christ showed the penitent thief
who asked to be forgiven while on the cross. It is proof that we can all be redeemed. My
prayer is that McAuliffe takes a courageous step toward abolishing the death penalty in
Virginia by vetoing this bill.
The Rev.
Jennifer Butler
is CEO of Faith in Public Life. Follow her on Twitter at @JenButlerFPL.
Share GH
SPONSORED: YOU MAY ALSO LIKE Sponsored Links by Taboola
12 Mysterious Photos That Cannot be Explained #5 Will Scare the Life out of You!
Your Daily Dish
http://pilotonline.com/opinion/columnist/guest/jennifer-butler-rethink-the-death-penalty-in... 3/26/2016
Jennifer Butler: Rethink the death penalty in Virginia | Guest Columnist | pilotonline.com —_ Page 5 of 5
Unnerving Historical Photos That Will Leave you Speachless
Todays Buzz
40 Years Later: You Will Never Believe How ‘The Brady Bunch’ Look Now?
Definition.org
20 Facts About Global Water Shortage That'll Shock You
LifeDaily.com
astther™ =
The 4 Worst Blood Pressure Drugs
Click Here To Learn More
bloodpressuresolution.com
http://pilotonline.com/opinion/columnist/guest/jennifer-butler-rethink-the-death-penalty-in... 3/26/2016
