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Rethinking How the Law Deals with Mentally Ill Criminals

By Steve Hall

That's the title of Lance Dickie's column in today's Seattle Times.  It's subtitled, "The Washington State Legislature is looking at two bills that would change how the law deals with mentally ill criminals. The time might be right."My opposition to the death penalty is regularly tested by horrific events in the news. Even so, my basest instincts for retribution are still trumped by a deeper suspicion of government getting it right.Grievous mistakes are made in capital cases, and they cannot be undone. I've never understood the passions of conservatives who do not trust government to make a land-use decision, but staunchly support what I would call the ultimate down zone.I do not want the government executing anyone on my behalf, but I am fully in favor of locking up the worst criminals and throwing away the proverbial key...continue to full post

Full post as published by StandDown Texas Project on January 22, 2010 (boomark / email).