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News
from Assemblyman 123th Assembly District Gary D. Finch
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 23, 2007 CONTACT: (518) 455-5981 Josh Reap
Finch: Reinstate the Death Penalty Now! Legislation aims to protect cops, toughen sentencing for convicted murderers
Assemblyman Gary D. Finch (R, C –Springport) stood with his Assembly Republican colleagues today at an Albany press conference to push legislation that would reinstate the death penalty for cop killers.
“We must take a stand for the law enforcement officers who have dedicated their careers to protecting us. I will not waver in my commitment to reinstate the death penalty in New York state for those convicted of first-degree murder,” said Finch.
New York’s capital punishment law has effectively been suspended since the state Court of Appeals ruled in 2004 that a provision dealing with deadlocked jury instructions was unconstitutional.
Legislation proposed by Assembly Republicans addresses the Court of Appeals concerns and would reinstate the death penalty if enacted. Always a strong supporter of the death penalty, Assemblyman Finch will work with his colleagues to gather support and bring this legislation to the spotlight.
“It is incidents, such as the fatal shooting of a Utica police officer earlier this month, that highlight the need for the death penalty. That officer was shot and killed during a routine traffic stop. We need to act now to provide measures that send a message that you will pay the ultimate price for taking the life of an officer of the law,” said Finch.
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