Richard Dieter Quotes

"There's now considerable public skepticism about whether all those being executed are really guilty and that has cast doubt on the whole system."

"Commutation is meant for when the law hasn't caught up with society."

"I don't think most people want it to be a big display again. People are just as happy not to see it."

"This is a proper action for the governor to take. It's not right to shy away from a difficult question, or even shy away from reopening cases when there is a chance that something new might be learned."

"If you find an innocent man who has been executed, that's a final nail through that."

"It would be counterproductive to force the issue, then have a 5-4 vote that juveniles can be executed, ... The issue then may not be revisited for a long time. It may be a better thing for the issue to percolate, for states to ban executing minors on their own, instead of being forced to by the courts."

"This stage of the penalty phase was probably harder for the government, but that was before he took the stand and connected all the dots for the jury."

"You want to put on a case that enables the jury to see the humanity of this person."

"This is a proper action for the governor to take. It's not right to shy away from a difficult question or even shy away from reopening cases when there is a chance that something new might be learned."

"Commutation is meant for when the law hasn't caught up with society,"

"Someone, either a judge or a jury, must determine beyond a reasonable doubt that government has proven an aggravating factor beyond guilt."

"New Jersey has stopped all executions. Four stays of execution have been granted on this issue in various states. The US supreme court has taken a case related to this issue."