At 12:56 this morning Cal Brown died in Walla Walla, Washington. He was 52 and had been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. It isn’t remarkable that he is dead, nor is it remarkable that his was the first execution in the state of Washington since 2001. It isn’t even remarkable that his insanity defense was rejected despite his diagnosis, nor that the U. S. Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and Washington’s Governor all rejected pleas to stay his execution. What is remarkable about this execution is what Cal Brown had to say on his way out.
In 1991 Brown raped, tortured and murdered Holly Washa. He never denied it. When he was interrogated by police, he confessed and led them to her body. He took responsibility again this morning before he died, acknowledging his crime and expressing the hope that her family would find closure in his execution. He also thanked prison personnel for their professionalism. But, before he breathed his last, Cal Brown took the opportunity of “last words” to speak briefly about the injustice in the administration of the death penalty in America.
His tone wasn’t angry or bitter, more matter of fact. He pointed out, in simple language, that many serial killers and multiple murderers are sentenced to life in prison while he, a one time killer, was being put to death. He made special reference to Gary Ridgeway, The Green River Killer who had raped, tortured and murdered multiple victims, but is serving a life sentence in the same state of Washington. Then Cal Brown finished his remarks saying,
“I can not really see that there is true justice… Hopefully sometime in the future that gets straightened out.”
You don’t have to like Cal Coburn Brown. You have every right to despise him and what he did. But, he has a point.
Sources: WaPo; The Boston Herald; KHQ-Spokane (through khq.com).
Contributor, aka tidbits. Retired attorney in complex litigation, death penalty defense and constitutional law. Former Nat’l Board Chair: Alzheimer’s Association. Served on multiple political campaigns, including two for U.S. Senator Mark O. Hatfield (R-OR). Contributing author to three legal books and multiple legal publications.