DEATH BY LOTTERY: ARE

EXECUTIONS IN MISSOURI

ARBITRARY?

Arbitrariness regarding the death penalty would mean that it is applied randomly,

irregularly, or disproportionately among those who commit murder.

Perhaps one could live with the death penalty: IF only the worst persons were executed for the worst crimes;

IF death row prosecutions were administered fairly to all in all places.

But this is NOT so. The facts show: Less than 2% of murders in MO result in the death penalty, but are these the most

incorrigible offenders who have committed the most heinousness of murders?

Not at all! Getting the death penalty depends on: the county in which the murder happened; and/or

the race, class, or gender of the offender and/or the victim;

having an inferior defense lawyer.

In fact the particular county prosecutor determines: who gets charged with capital murder

who stands trial

who gets a plea bargain

THIS IS ARBITRARY!

The United States Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976 with the intent that

it would no longer be “capricious” or “arbitrary.” Yet recently, 40 years later, when in

2012 the American Bar Association concluded a two year study of how the death penalty

is being administered in MO, they reported that the flaws continue.

THE DEATH PENALTY AS PRACTICED IN

MISSOURI IS ARBITRARY.

Voting for these bills will help remedy the situation:

Vote for Repeal: HB 1524 and SB 775.

Vote for Reform: SB 732

Vote for Review: HB 1409; HB 1737; SB 787; SB 804; SB 753

For More Information call Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty at

816-931-4177, or visit our website at www.madpmo.org.