Unpopular as they are, such decisions enhance the state's reputation for fairness in criminal justice, said Wymore. Ritter sees more than aggressive defense at the heart of differences between Texas and Colorado. But Wymore said too many cases go to death in Texas. He worries that the legislature, and public pressure, are moving Colorado toward a Texas-style death penalty mentality. Considerable tension arises in the legislature after every case like Thill's, he said.
Some lawmakers argue to reduce funding and the powers of the public defenders.
The shortened appeals process and the three-judge panel law were successful attempts to weaken criminal defense and increase death penalty convictions, said Wymore. Wymore said other lawmakers have resisted such efforts. The alternative, said Wymore, is Texas. Now they're reaping what they've sown in their own culture, and it's not pretty. There was a picture in the paper after Graham's execution of a Ku Klux Klan guy hugging a death penalty supporter.