Supporters of Death Penalty Moratorium Rally at Capitol

Intro: Discussion of Missouri's death penalty laws were re-ignighted Tuesday at the state Capitol. Micah Wiener has more from Jefferson City:

Supporters of a moratorium on the death penalty gathered at the Capitol Tuesday to show their support of a new bill which would pospone all executions until 2011.

Jefferson City Representative Bill Deeken sponsored the bill, which establishes a commission to recommend changes to the laws regarding the death penalty.

These laws would ensure that those convicted of murder are, in fact, guilty and had not been subjected to unfair treatment.

Deeken is a Republican who says he supports capital punishment, but wants the moratorium to further study the use of the death penalty.

Actuality: DEEKEN3.WAV

Run Time: 00:16

Description: "If I were on a jury, and found out five years later that I voted to put somebody to death, I could not live with myself. We're gonna work hard to try to find out that we have proof that is the right person."

Kansas City area Republican Senator Matt Bartle opposses the moratorium, pointing to the fact that most Missourians approve of the Death Penalty.

From the capitol, I'm Micah Wiener.

Intro: A bill to impose a moratorium on the death penalty lead supporters to rally at the Missouri State Capitol Tuesday. Micah Wiener reports from Jefferson City:

RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

Among those at the rally was Vera Thomas, who's son Reggie Clemons is currently on death row.

Thomas came to the capitol with about 40 others to support the moratorium bill.

Actuality: VTHOMAS1.WAV

Run Time: 00:16

Description: "We fight for democracy in words, let's start to practice it in deeds. Stand up for justice and the human rights of each and every human being. Stand up for a moratorium now. When is enough, enough?"

Jefferson City Representative Bill Deeken sponsored the bill which establishes a commission to recommend changes to capital punishment laws.

These changes would make sure that those convicted of murder are, in fact, guilty and have recieved a fair trial, which Thomas maintains her son never recieved.

Deeken is a Republican who supports the death penalty, but is pushing the moratorium to further study the current system.

Most Republicans do support the death penalty, and Senate Judicary Committee Chairman Matt Bartle favors the current system and says most Missourians do as well.

From the Capitol City, I'm Micah Wiener.

Intro: Supporters of a Republican sponsored bill to impose a moratorium on the death penalty rallied at the Missouri state Capitol Tuesday. Micah Wiener reports some Republicans don't see the need to change the current system.

The bill is sponsored by Jefferson City Republican Representative Bill Deeken, who is a supporter of capital punishment.

Deeken's bill would postpone executions until 2011, while a committee would study the system, and recommend changes to death penalty laws.

But while a few Republicans have signed on to the bill, most support the death penalty.

Republican Matt Bartle is the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Actuality: BARTLE01.WAV

Run Time: 00:16

Description: "Well, the death penalty's been studied five ways to Friday. And right now, before the state executes somebody, there's almost a decade's worth of appeals. And the case gets examined with exquisite detail."

Bartle's opposition to the moratorium is consistent with most Republicans, who stand by the current system.

From Jefferson City, I'm Micah Wiener.