Abolish death penalty

Three Arkansas Democrat-Gazette columnists, Paul Greenberg, Philip Martin and John Brummett—each in their unique way, were on the same page this Sunday—all against the death penalty in Arkansas. Many valid, evidence-based reasons have been discussed (and even sung about— Tom Neilson, “Eight Men Dying”) in recent weeks nationally and internationally as well as locally.

For me, as an adult U.S. citizen (for over 40 years), as a family physician who has witnessed and helped ease the trauma and pain that crime victims and their families cope with (for over 30 years), as a mother (for almost 30 years) and as a proud but very concerned Arkansan (for close to 10 years), I have always been and will always be against the death penalty.

As I’ve heard and read several experienced people say this month, the work goes beyond this week, no matter what happened Thursday. We must admit that victims and their families feel incredible pain when violent crimes occur. Executions focus on a few prisoners and criminals. Executions don’t effectively treat the victims of all violent crimes that occur.

What about all the victims’ families whose murderers didn’t get the death penalty? What about people who are brutally assaulted but not murdered? What effective options are available in other states? Unfortunately, very little is available in Arkansas. We need trained victims’ assistance opportunities that are readily available for all, starting the very day the violence occurs and ongoing as needed. Arkansans will be much better off if we choose to abolish the death penalty—better off ethically, financially, legally, emotionally and spiritually. The majority of citizens of other states and nations will also respect us a great deal more.

“Execute justice, not people” (The Abolitionist Action Committee) is the phrase that sums it up for me. Let’s work together to create effective alternatives to the death penalty in Arkansas.

LAURA FRANKENSTEIN

Little Rock