HARRISBURG, Pa. — The effort to end capital punishment in the Commonwealth is underway.
On Tuesday, House Bill 999 passed through the House Judiciary Committee, setting up a future House vote to abolish the death penalty in Pennsylvania. House Democratic authors of the bill argue it is an important step to further criminal justice reform in the state.
“Eleven people have been exonerated, who served time on death row. And only three people have been executed in 60 years," said Rep. Chris Rabb (D-Philadelphia) who wrote HB 999.
“Many times, we get it right, but all you need with the death penalty is get it wrong once," said Rep. Jordan Harris, the Majority Chair of the House Appropriations Committee.
Opponents of the bill argue that abolishing the death penalty will be the wrong step to take.
“Certain crimes are just so heinous that you have to have the option for the death penalty, like the murder of a police officer or the murder of a child," said Senator Mike Regan (R-Cumberland and York County).
A moratorium on the death penalty was first implemented by Governor Tom Wolf back in 2015. His successor, Governor Josh Shapiro, previously endorsed the death penalty as attorney general. However, he extended the moratorium in February and endorsed efforts to abolish capital punishment.
Senator Regan argues that capital punishment should remain on the table for prosecutors during criminal trials.
“The current law allows the courts, prosecutors, and juries to make decisions based on evidence, based on testimony, and what the family has to say about it," said Senator Regan. "I think taking that away is a mistake.”
Prosecutors in Lebanon County are currently seeking the death penalty for two people, who were arrested for a triple homicide on May 30th, which claimed the lives of two young children and a 19-year-old. The death penalty is also being sought for Michael Baltimore Jr., who is accused of shooting a killing a barbershop owner on May 22, 2021.
“We have to protect our communities from violent elements, but that does not necessitate killing them," said Rep. Rabb.
The last time a death sentence was carried out in Pennsylvania was in 1999.