In what has become as normal as lobbyists having receptions in Helena, it seems each session the Montana Legislature debates the death penalty. The debate receives a lot of coverage from the media as both sides present very emotional reasons for support and non-support of the death penalty.

This session it is Senate Bill 185 which was introduced by State Senator Dave Wanzenried, a Democrat from Missoula. Readers may remember that Wanzenried wants to be Montana’s next Governor (See my Fear the Beard column).

The Associated Press covered the debate and reported this interesting quote from Wanzenried:

“Interestingly enough the people that have come here share the belief in the sanctity of life,” Wanzenried said of the legislators who could pass the bill. “So I’m hoping those people would apply that judgment to this particular bill.”

That statement seems like a pretty desperate attempt to tie someone wanting to protect the life of an unborn child to the life of someone who has brutally murdered another human being. Continue reading →