I have witnessed firsthand the devastating toll that lengthy death row waits take on both the families of defendants and victims. In the justice system, certainty and closure should not be extended burdens. Many are not aware that the average time a death row inmate spends awaiting execution in the United States is around 20 years. This is a considerable span, not just for the inmates but for everyone involved, exacerbating the pain of awaiting an inevitable conclusion.

Aurora, Colorado, like any compassionate community, values the rights and well-being of all its citizens, including those indirectly affected by the justice system. Prolonged periods on death row often cause unnecessary anguish, extending trauma for victims' families and keeping the psychological wounds fresh for the families of inmates as well. The delicate balance between due process and humane treatment calls for action that can ease this prolonged mental strain.

We understand and respect the necessity of the appeal process as part of ensuring just verdicts and upholding legal rights. However, with a reasonable review span within three to seven years after sentencing, families could be afforded some sense of closure. A legislated "Death Date" within this timeframe could significantly mitigate prolonged suffering while still respecting due process. This is not just a matter of policy but of humanity.

Current laws governing death row timelines demand reform, ensuring they are efficient yet considerate of all lives entwined in the complex weave of justice. With this petition, we seek to bring this issue to the attention of local policymakers and urge them to reevaluate state protocols on death row timelines. By mandating a clearer, expedient process, we are championing a more humane approach that can uphold fairness and justice while reducing prolonged suffering.

In doing the research for this petition I realized that the Death Penalty is something that a lot of people do not investigate and address because like (Byron, 2000) said Why should my opinion matter? Why Should you care about this cause? This is important because it affects all of us. The money and time we put into Death Row and keeping it open. Our tax dollars go into prisons and keeping them running (Death Penalty Information Center, 2023). By bring a timeframe that is reasonable for having a “Death Date” will help bring closure to the families and cases instead of having an emotional toll on them. Death is a touchy subject, but it is a reality we deal with every day. If the crime they committed warrant Death then the process should have a time limit on it an expiration date that is clear.

Sign this petition to bring reform to death row processes in Aurora, Colorado. Stand with us in demanding a balanced approach that values justice, compassion, and the mental well-being of all it touches. Together, we can make a change that could bring timely closure and much-needed relief to countless families affected by this issue. Your support can propel a critical reevaluation that ensures our justice system fulfills its commitment to fairness and humanity

Bibliography

Byron, M. (2000). Why My Opinion Shouldn’t Count: Revenge, Retribution, and the Death Penalty Debate. Journal of Social Philosophy, 31(3), 307–315. https://doi.org/10.1111/0047-2786.00048

Death Penalty Information Center. (2023). Time on Death Row. Death Penalty Information Center. https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/death-row/death-row-time-on-death-row

Ning, Z. (2005). The Debate Over the Death Penalty in Today’s China. China Perspectives, 2005(6). https://doi.org/10.4000/chinaperspectives.545

Radelet, M. L., & Borg, M. J. (2000). The Changing Nature of Death Penalty Debates. Annual Review of Sociology, 26(1), 43–61. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.soc.26.1.43

Ramirez, M. D. (2021). Unmasking the American death penalty debate: Race, context, and citizens’ willingness to execute. Social Science Quarterly, 102(4). https://doi.org/10.1111/ssqu.13051

Rancourt, M., Ouellet, C., & Dufresne, Y. (2020). Is the Death Penalty Debate Really Dead? Contrasting Capital Punishment Support in Canada and the United States. Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy, 20(1), 536–562. https://doi.org/10.1111/asap.12213

Tereza Trejbalova, Sufrin, C. B., Kotlar, B., Saunders, J., Mason, E., Sherman, J., & Shlafer, R. J. (2024). Right to “Life”: The Cruel Contradiction of Exceptions to the Death Penalty for Pregnant People. The Prison Journal, 104(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/00328855241263499