No on Prop. 34 Conference Brings Forward Advocates

Supporters for No on Proposition 34 held a press conference Tuesday, rallying support for voters to vote against proposition 34 on November 6th. 

If the proposition were to pass, the death penalty would be abolished in California. Death Row inmates would instead face life without parole.

Family members of victims hurt by Death Row inmates spoke at the press conference. Catherine Burke became an advocate for the death penalty when her daughter Saskia was murdered a year ago. 

"My daughter went downstairs for a bottle of water, he attacked her and stabbed her violently," Burke said. "My 13-year-old daughter witnessed her sister murdered and her father stabbed."

Peter DeMarco, the spokesman for No on Prop. 34  described the support backing the campaign. 

"The people of California have shown that they support the death penalty," DeMarco said. "Under Prop. 34 the 729 convicted felons, convicted murderers, child rapists, cop killers, those who prey on the elderly... all of those would be moved into the general population with other inmates."

DeMarco explained that should Proposition 34 pass, there would be an incredible risk and threat to corrections facilities. 

Supporters of Proposition 34 said that the state would save money and it would help eliminate unfair trials. 

Burke said she wants to keep the death penalty to help her daughter. 

"She wants to live. She wants a future. But she can't live if he does."