And, in order for arson and kidnapping to qualify as special circumstances in capital cases, they must be crimes independent of first-degree murder. A murderer who plans first to ambush the victim should be held to the same standard of justice regardless of whether the killing takes place immediately or occurs some time later in a different location. Criminals who use arson or kidnapping to murder deserve the same punishment as murderers who commit arson for some other purpose than to kill the victim. Proposition 18 restores equal justice for murder victims' families and law enforcement officers. Capital punishment does not deter capital crimes.
Execution is irreversible.
We should invest this money in conflict resolution programs and after-school programs for youth. Capital punishment is immoral and unjust because it is used mostly on people of color, the poor, and the uneducated. The official ballot arguments in support are signed by Hon. Other supporters mentioned in the ballot arguments include Governor Gray Davis, Attorney General Bill Lockyer, Former Governor Pete Wilson, Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante, Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa, and Senator Richard Rainey. Copyright 2000 League of Women Voters of California Education Fund.