EXCLUSIVE: VIDEO: With the recent sentencing of Jahmell Crockam to life in prison for the murder of Lakewood Police Officer Chris Matlosz, there’s a renewed push for New Jersey to bring back the death penalty for vicious crimes, Senator Robert Singer – who recently re-introduced the Bill – tells TLS in an exclusive interview.
“I think it’s important to keep this issue on the front burner so that when the opportunity does arise, and we can possibly get support, to have the Bill posted for a vote by the Senate”, Senator Singer says.
Following the brutal murder of Matlosz, says Senator Singer, Assemblyman Reed Gusciora said he “would absolutely” vote to bring back the death penalty.
“I think if people take a look at the horrific crimes we’re talking about, the murdering of a police officer on duty, the murdering of a child, a serial killer, these type of horrific crimes certainly deserve the death penalty”, Singer says.
“It’s a shame, that unfortunately the Senate President Steve Sweeney, as well as Speaker Oliver will not allow for this bill to be voted on in the Legislature because they know it’s going to pass. There are enough votes to pass it in both houses”, Singer says.
The death penalty in New Jersey was abolished by Governor Corzine in 2007, but but Singer says a public outcry will make the difference and bring it back.
“Until such time as the public outcries are so great, we’re just not going to see the bill posted”, Singer said.
Should the bill reach the Governor’s desk, he will sign it, Singer said. TLS.
A death sentence or life in prison won’t change the status of the victim. He will still be dead. Let’s focus on legislation that will help the living, such as the NJOSA. Let’s get school vouchers that can get our youth at risk out of the public school system, and be properly educated. You ran for re-election on the promise that you would solve this issue once and for all. This crazy push to restore the death penalty just brings out the worst in people. We see what is going on in Florida where people are putting a bounty on Mr. Zimmerman’s head while he was reportedly defending himself, or as the law there states, ‘standing his ground’. Do we want people calling for a death penalty, when this man may have to be locked up for his own protection?
Thank YOU!!
When there was a death penalty in New Jersey, there were heinous crimes committed (I can remember three that got a lot of attention) and the murderers are still alive today.
They are still alive today because now there is no death penalty. They were still alive when there was a death penalty because of the appeal process. One the prisoner exhausted all their appeals then there would be a date set for the death (when we had the death penalty).
Great! I agree, bring back the death penalty!
how about getting rid of the gangs so we wont have this propblem in the first place ?
Nice idea Bob, but until you can address the appeal process so it could be effective this time, no need to pass a feel good legislation. To pass a bill now would just be a show,a photo opp.
How does the Senate President and the Speaker have the power to squash a bill without a vote? Is that our land of the free and home of the brave system? Throw Sweeny and Oliver OUT and let them CRY all the way to Venezuela. Looks like there might be an opening there soon.
Senator Singer has a well thought out idea here and we should embrace this idea. The fact is, as written, Senator Singer’s bill would eliminate the numerous appeals process and fast track the matter to one of the highest courts. The fact that there are, as the Senator states, enough votes to pass this legistlation speaks volumes. The fact that both the Democratic Senate President and Democratic Assembly Speaker will not post the bill speaks volumes of politicks as usual. New Jersey for far too long permits the Speak of the Assembly and Senate President to decide which bills are posted for a vote. If we could eliminate that process, we would allow a true vote to occur by the entire assembly and senate. That is the way it should be. So, I say, thank you Senator Singer for your continued fight to bring back the death penalty in NJ!
to
how about getting rid of the gangs so we wont have this propblem in the first place ?
true prevention is worth a pound of cure.
what has taken place here in Lakewood with the crime & drugs is here only because of what this town allows like the saying goes build it and they will come . well lakewood is building a “city” and they (crime) will come
With all due respect to the good Senator, I strongly beg to differ.
Although NJ had a death penalty on the books until it was abolished sometime I believe in 2007, NJ did not implement it under any circumstance. In fact, since 1976 nobody has been executed in NJ no matter how heinous the crime. As such, what are we gaining by putting capital punishment back on the books if we don’t intend to use it?
They should give crockham have the death penalty. In prison he’ll get television, dental, medical, heating, ac, all for free while we gotta work hard for those stuff. He should get dead! Don’t you think so?!
Anyone that is convicted of murder, should be put to death???? And not a euthanasia the kind we give our pets to put them to sleep peacefully and with no pain. Let them stuffer the way they did their victims and their families. Bring Ole Sparky up from Florida a malfunctioning electric chair……….. I for one am tired of supporting these animals for the rest of their sorry (moderated) lives.