Kennedy, Markey differ on bomber’s life sentence
U.S. Sen. Edward Markey and U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III say they both support ending the use of life sentences without the possibility of parole — but for Kennedy, that means even in the case of the Boston Marathon bomber.
The Senate primary rivals were asked in their final debate Tuesday whether they support eliminating life without parole. Both answered yes.
Asked in a follow-up whether they would apply that stance to Dzhokhar Tsarnaev — who is currently serving a life sentence and facing the possibility of the death penalty for carrying out the 2013 bombings – Markey said no.
“I would make an exception for a terrorist,” Markey said. “For everyone else, they should qualify for parole.”
But Kennedy stood firm, noting that the possibility of parole “doesn’t mean you’re granted it.”
“I stand by my position on it,” Kennedy said, haltingly, during the debate. “But I think before any decision would be made on that specific case, those victims’ families need to be heard.”
The issue is a personal one for Kennedy, whose grandfather Robert F. Kennedy’s murderer comes up for parole every five years.
Kennedy said in a post-debate press conference he believes there are instances in which “people deserve to be able to make the case as to why they should merit consideration for parole.”
He added that in granting exceptions, “I think you end up starting to swallow the principle.”
Kennedy and Markey tangled over a number of issues Tuesday in the final clash of their incredibly close primary race, with just two weeks left until the last ballots are cast in the Sept. 1 tilt.
As Markey touted his “500 laws that are on the books” Kennedy jabbed him for including bills that he cosponsored in that list.
“Under that definition, I am an author of the Green New Deal,” Kennedy said of the bill Markey coauthored with U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. “The difference is, I wouldn’t claim to be.”
Markey rattled off a long list of legislative accomplishments in response, emphasizing each by saying: “That’s my law.”
But the incumbent spent the opening of the debate on the defensive, pressed by moderators on criticism he’s facing from two fathers — Danroy Henry Sr., whose son, Danroy “D.J.” Henry Jr., was shot and killed by a police officer in 2010, and Colin Bower, whose two sons were allegedly abducted to Egypt in 2009 by their mother — for failing to help their families.
“I’m very proud of my constituent service,” Markey said, falling back on his legislative record while offering another apology to the Henry family. “When I hear from families, and they say they need help, I go to bat for them. I go to Washington, and I ensure that these laws get passed.”