Repeal The Death Penalty? 6 Quotes From 'Yes' And 'No' Campaigns

Voters will see two state measures that take very different approaches in changing how California handles capital punishment in November. Proposition 62 would repeal the death penalty, while Proposition 66 would aim to speed up the process.

On Wednesday evening, we gathered a panel of six guests from all sides of the argument. They fielded questions from the audience on topics that ranged from fiscal to racial implications.

The town hall was moderated by Larry Mantle, host of KPCC’s AirTalk, and Maureen Cavanaugh, host of KPBS Midday Edition. It was put on by California Counts, a collaboration with KPCC in Los Angeles, KQED in San Francisco, Capital Public Radio in Sacramento and KPBS in San Diego.

Here are three questions debated during the event.

Will Proposition 66 save California money?

There are 743 people on California’s death row. That's by far the highest number in the nation. California hasn't executed a condemned prisoner since 2006.

Proposition 66 aims to speed up the process of the death penalty; proponents said it would save the state money because it puts time limits on court reviews and requires appellate lawyers to take death penalty clients. (Currently, there aren’t enough lawyers to handle the automatic appeals for death row inmates.)

But opponents said, even if Proposition 66 passes, it'll cost the state a nice chunk of change. Justin Brooks, director of California Innocence Project, said there's a misconception that death penalty appeals cost money; it's death penalty trials that cost a lot, he argued.

Yes to abolishing the death penalty says

MILAN KOVACEVIC

No to abolishing the death penalty says

How do families of murdered victims feel?

MILAN KOVACEVIC

Two panelists at the event Wednesday have had loved ones murdered. Beth Webb's sister Laura Webb was killed with seven other people in the 2011 shooting at Salon Meritage in Seal Beach. Marc Klaas is the father of Polly Klaas. She was kidnapped and killed in 1993.

Webb said she wants her sister's killer to serve life in prison because it validates what he did. She's in favor of Proposition 62, which would make the maximum sentence life imprisonment without parole. (Current death row inmates would see their sentences changed to life in prison under the proposition.)

Klaas, on the other hand, said his daughter's killer doesn't deserve to live. He's in favor of keeping the death penalty.

Yes to abolishing the death penalty says

No to abolishing the death penalty says

What are the racial implications?

The real question is "do we deserve to kill?" Justin Brooks argued. He said he's walked 25 innocent people out of prison.

Mike Farrell, co-author of Proposition 62 (and a former actor best known for his role on the TV series MASH), echoed those concerns. He also brought up the issue of racial discrimination.

MILAN KOVACEVIC

Paul Pfingst, former San Diego County district attorney, said race plays a role in every facet of the criminal justice system. But the notion that "the people making these decisions [about death penalty sentencing] are just a bunch of racists who don't care about these things, is just unfair," he argued.

Yes to abolishing the death penalty says

No to abolishing the death penalty says

To hear the full broadcast, tune into KPBS Midday Edition noon Thursday, September 8. The audio will be archived on this web post.

Where do you stand on the death penalty? Tweet us your thoughts using the hashtag #CAcounts.