Washington State Governor Jay Inslee has placed a moratorium on executions in the Pacific Northwest state of Washington. Inslee’s decision follows similar moves by the governor of Maryland, which has since abolished capital punishment, and Governor John Kitzhaber, Inslee’s neighboring governor to the south in Oregon where a moratorium has been in effect since 2011.
Governor Inslee’s decision goes no further than assure that there will be no executions in the State of Washington while he remains in office. He did not commute any sentences, meaning that future governors can restart the execution process after he leaves office. The moratorium does not prevent prosecutors from continuing to seek the death penalty, and King County (Seattle) seems likely to do so. Governor Inslee is not proposing legislation to abolish capital punishment, but has said he would support such legislation if offered. None is anticipated before 2015.
The decision comes after a months’ long study by the Governor and his staff on the issue and realities of capital punishment in Washington and around the nation. In the end the Governor found a flawed system. Unequal application of capital punishment was at the top of the list. No state exemplifies this more than Washington where Green River Killer, Gary Ridgeway, was allowed to enter into a plea bargain in exchange for identifying murders that he committed, helping authorities close dozens of open murder cases. He was ultimately convicted of 49 separate murders without facing the death penalty.
Governor Inslee also cited the expense of capital punishment compared to the lower cost of life without parole. The failure of the death penalty to deter murder was part of the decision making process as well according to reports. Of the death penalty, the Governor said,
“It’s not right…So I’m exercising that decision-making authority as governor of the State of Washington. I’m also at peace with this decision.”
More at the Seattle Times.
/
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.