Re “Newsom should commute all death sentences” (July 29): I agree that death sentences should be abolished. There is a moral view that capital punishment is itself murder and government should not engage in actions which it criminalizes. More importantly, the death penalty has been meted out to people who have later been considered innocent of the charge, sometimes after they were executed. This possibility should not endure. Executions are final.
One further matter, though: To prevent any future political mischief, a ruling which does away with the death penalty must also contain the immutable provision that life imprisonment in lieu of execution cannot be pardoned, commuted, or otherwise nullified; only a new jury trial for the original crime (as might occur if new evidence arises which could exonerate the prisoner), conducted in accordance with the law, and resulting in a finding of innocence or a reduced sentence, should change the original sentence.
— Alan Van Loy, Escondido