By Shaolien Chen-GrafLOS ANGELES, CA – The California death penalty, in practice, is racist—but it’s much more than that, according to an editorial this week published by the Los Angeles Times editorial board, addressing recent petitions citing racism in California death sentences. “Even if the state could perform painless and anxiety-free executions and racial biases were eliminated, the death penalty would still be wrong,” writes the LA Times editorial board. The editorial board said it is not only concerned with how and when the death penalty is applied. However, the LA Times editorial board identifies this as mere fantasy, writing “the death penalty is inextricably bound up with each of those ills, and more.”Commenting on California Governor Gavin Newsom’s promise “that no one would be put to death on his watch,” the editorial board points to the death penalty’s continued prevalence in California. In closing, the LA Times editorial board once again affirms those petitioners citing racism in California death sentences and credits them for identifying an angle they deem “righteous” and potentially effective.

Source: Los Angeles Times May 11, 2024 22:49 UTC