Support Banning the Execution of the Mentally Retarded
(A Letter To Members of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee)

                                                                                                             February 13, 2001

RE:  Support Banning the Execution of the Mentally Retarded

Dear Senator:

    Thank you for your consideration of legislation to ban the execution of the mentally retarded.

    Even among those who support the State's use of the death penalty, we hope agreement may be reached to protect the mentally retarded from the state's ultimate punishment, execution. The Conference does not suggest mentally retarded persons do not know right from wrong or that they not be held accountable for their actions. But the death penalty is the most extreme sentence available, and if we must have it, it should be reserved for the highest degree of blame. Just as we do not hold children responsible for criminal acts as adults, we should not hold others to a standard beyond their mental capacity. Florida already provides law that the only alternative to a first degree capital felony is life imprisonment without consideration of parole.

    In Florida, polls indicate 71% oppose extending the death penalty to people with mental retardation. (Cambridge Survey Research. Amnesty International, "An Analysis of Political Attitudes Toward the Death Penalty in florida," May 1986). Thirteen other states and the federal government have banned the execution of the mentally retarded.

    We will appreciate your help in moving this legislation through the committee process. Please let us know how our office can assist in passage of legislation to ban the execution of the mentally retarded persons convicted of capital crimes in Florida.

                                                                                                             Sincerely,


                                                                                                             Lauran Stroffolino
                                                                                                             Associate for Respect Life

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