Death penalty repeal could hinder plea deals

With Connecticut on the verge of becoming the 17th state to abolish the death penalty, some are wondering what effect the change would have on a prosecutor's ability to obtain a plea.News 12 Connecticut

News 12 Staff

Apr 13, 2012, 12:49 PM

Updated 4,640 days ago

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With Connecticut on the verge of becoming the 17th state to abolish the death penalty, some are wondering what effect the change would have on a prosecutor's ability to obtain a plea.News 12 Connecticut spoke to two legal experts who support the repeal of the death penalty, but disagree on the impact it would have on the criminal justice system.Former prosecutor Mickey Sherman says the threat of death is a powerful persuader when trying to get a plea. If the death penalty is repealed, he says prosecutors will have a tougher time getting convictions. Meanwhile, attorney Erskine McIntosh says prosecutors will still have a formidable weapon when threatening defendants with life in prison without the possibility of parole. McIntosh was the defense attorney for convicted Bridgeport killer Russell Peeler, who's currently on death row.Gov. Malloy could sign death penalty ban today