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Local Attorney Supports Bill That Abolishes Arkansas Death Penalty

FAYETEVILLE (KFSM)- A former public defender in Washington and Benton Counties is urging Arkansas legislators to abolish the death penalty in Arkansas. Tony Pir...

FAYETEVILLE (KFSM)- A former public defender in Washington and Benton Counties is urging Arkansas legislators to abolish the death penalty in Arkansas.

Tony Pirani, who identifies as a Republican, said he believes the state should be held to higher standards. On Wednesday (Feb. 25) Pirani testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Little Rock to support a bill filed by Sen. David Burnett, D-Osceola.

“One person wrongfully executed is too many,” Pirani said.

Pirani said he used to be for the death penalty, but his Christian beliefs changed his mind.

“We are all more than our worst moment,” Pirani said.

Some say they can understand why Arkansas has the death penalty.

“Some [people] are [for the death penalty] because they think the death penalty is okay,” said Anthony Harris.

“[The government thinks] people will not commit the same crimes,” said Jose Pena. “They will see the real example the government is trying to implement.”

But, Pirani said that's not the case.

“The death penalty does not serve as the effective deterrent,” Pirani said. “The people who are committing these crimes are not thinking about what may happen in court later. They're in the heat of the moment when those things occur. A life in prison is a more severe punishment than the death penalty, because there is no exit.”

Pena said some families may see the death penalty as a way to get closure.

“They might feel on their hearts that it will help in some way,” Pena said.

Pirani believes life in prison, without parole, should be the state's highest punishment because there's a chance a prisoner wrongly prosecuted.

“Once we make that ultimate decision, it is too late to fix those mistakes,” Pirani said.

Pirani also argues keeping inmates in prison for life is cheaper than executing them. He said preliminary court proceedings for those facing the death penalty can cost the state a minimum of $100,000.

Right now, Arkansas has 31 inmates on death row, but Pirani said there hasn't been an execution in the state in more than a decade.

Burnett's bill passed through the Senate Judiciary Committee on a roll call vote. It has to pass the full House and Senate and be signed by the governor in order to become law.

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