A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis, serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. © James Conner.

12 December 2016

Sen. Tom Facey drafts bill eliminating death penalty

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The Missoula Democrat's bill would replace the death penalty with life without parole. A bill with a similar title, “Replace the Montana death penalty with life without parole sentence,” that was requested by Sen. Douglas Kary (R-Billings), is now on hold.

In the 2015 legislative session, House Bill 370, by Rep. Eric “Doc” Moore (R-Missoula), and co-sponsored by Kary, failed on the second reading in the House on a 50-50 tie vote.

Most Democratic legislators oppose the death penalty, while most Republican legislators support it, but the division on the issue is not strictly partisan.

Does Facey’s bill have a chance of passing? Yes, but given the heavy Republican majority in the Senate, probably not a very good chance.

The death penalty is an issue on which public opinion is important — if you support eliminating the death penalty, let your legislators know — but, in my experience, perhaps not as important as a legislator’s personal values, religious beliefs included, and level of knowledge on a penalty that most civilized nations and states have retired.

Sen. Facey can be reached at TFacey@mt.gov.