Wisconsin death penalty

(From the March 8, 2006 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Senate advances death penalty referendum

By Meg Jones and Stacy Forster

If passed by both houses, a non-binding, advisory referendum question would go on the statewide ballot for the September elections to ask voters whether Wisconsin should punish certain violent offenders with the death penalty.

Wisconsin hasn’t had capital punishment since 1853, a fact noted by Sen. Jeff Plale (D-South Milwaukee), who said legislators should resist the impulse to seek justice through the death penalty.

Sen. Carol Roessler (R-Oshkosh) said she favored a referendum because advances in technology have improved law enforcement efforts and because defendants have a lengthy appeal process before executions are carried out.

“I believe there needs to be an end of the line for individuals who have committed vicious, violent, first-degree intentional homicides,” Roessler said.