Dear Representative,
We ask that you vote “YES” to Floor Amendment
to House Bill 610.
This amendment will eliminate the execution of juveniles
under the age of 18 in Kentucky.
This amendment should be adopted because:
Kentucky can already protect its citizens and punish
juvenile offenders severely without resorting to killing
them. Juveniles can now be sentenced to life in the
penitentiary, or to life in the penitentiary without the
possibility of being eligible for parole for 25 years, or
up to 70 years in the penitentiary without the possibility
of being eligible for parole for 59.5 years.
A University of Kentucky poll shows that 79.5% of
Kentuckians prefer punishment other than death for
juvenile offenders.
Our federal government does not execute juveniles.
Because juvenile brains are not fully developed the
American Society for Adolescent Psychiatry, The
American Academy of Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry, The American Psychiatric Association and
the American Psychological Association all join us in
opposing the death penalty for juveniles.
A majority of our states do not execute juveniles.
Outside the United States, only a few countries like
Iran, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia continue to execute
children.
Governor Paul Patton, The Kentucky Department of
Juvenile Justice, as well as many Democrats and
Republicans in both the House and Senate support
ending the use of the death penalty those who are 16-
and 17-years old.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Carl Wedekind Rev. Patrick Delahanty
