Court Opinion

ID: 9793479
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 02:48:25.318777+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:05:21.123231
License: Public Domain

FRANCHINI, Justice. (Special Concurrence) {93} I CONCUR in both the analysis and result reached in this opinion because it is legally correct. It is also solidly based on the precedents of this court as well as other federal and state courts. {94} I write specially to state that I am opposed philosophically and practically to the death penalty. I personally believe it to be a bad public policy. However, public' policy is solely within the legislature’s domain and this court is powerless to change it unless the statutory law underlying the policy is declared unconstitutional. {95} For the reasons set out in the opinion, the arguments advanced by the defendant do not convince me or the court that the death penalty statute in New Mexico is unconstitutional. However, those same arguments firmly convince me personally how truly flawed such a public policy is. {96} Since it is the duty and responsibility of a judge to interpret and apply the law to the facts of a case free of any personal or philosophical leanings or beliefs, I specially concur.