Momentum builds to kill state's unworkable capital felony law

Waterbury Republican-American ^ | May 17, 2009 | Paul Hughes

[Graybeard58]

HARTFORD — Convicted baby killer Ivo Colon and nearly 50 other inmates convicted of capital crimes have escaped the death penalty.

The state's capital felony law sets out two punishments for the most heinous offenses: death, or life imprisonment without the possibility of release.

At this time, there are 10 inmates on death row in the Northern Correctional Institution, the state's maximum security prison.

The Department of Correction reports there are another 47 inmates who have been sentenced to life for the capital crime of murder.

Nine years ago, a jury sentenced Colon to die for the 1998 murder of his girlfriend's 2-year-old daughter. In 2004, the state Supreme Court overturned the Waterbury man's death sentence and ordered a new penalty hearing. Waterbury State's Attorney John Connelly eventually decided not to seek the death penalty again.

Today, the 29-year-old baby killer is serving his life sentence at the Cheshire Correctional Institution. Unless he is transferred elsewhere, that is where Colon will die one day.

The state legislature is now debating whether Connecticut should abolish the death penalty and instead punish capital crimes with life sentences.

The legislation wouldn't vacate death sentences for any inmates on death row if it becomes law because it would only apply prospectively.

The state House voted 90-56 to ban capital punishment last week. It was the first time a chamber of the General Assembly had voted to repeal the death penalty.

The vote coincided with the fourth anniversary of the state's last execution. Serial killer and rapist Michael Ross was the first Connecticut inmate executed since 1960. Only four years earlier the House had voted 89-60 on the eve of the Ross execution to keep the death penalty.

The Senate could vote this week on the death penalty bill. The dramatic and historic House vote may have improved the legislation's chances of passage in the legislature's upper chamber.

"I would say people were surprised at the strength with which it came out of the House, and I think that kind of momentum will only help us in the Senate," said Sen. Andrew J. McDonald, D-Stamford, the Senate chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

[Gilbo_3]

...Cheshire Correctional Institution. Unless he is transferred elsewhere, that is where Colon will die one day.

or not...how bout if hes had his fair trial and sentencing, we march the pos out to the courtyard and let him swing ???

wouldnt hafta worry about an earthquake or some other insane happenin lettin this thing roam the countryside again...