Piece Description

On this episode of Peace Talks Radio, a spotlight on the death penalty with death penalty opponent Steve Earle. In addition to being a musician, playwrite and author, Earle has been a consistent activist against the death penalty. He talks with Paul Ingles about why he feels the debate over capital punishment is a peace issue worth thinking about. Also, reporter Deborah Martinez recaps the debate during the 2005 New Mexico Legislative Session when the state considered abolishing the death penalty. During the program, Earle observes, "If the government kills someone, then I'm killing someone. And I simply object to the damage that that does to my spirit." Meanwhile, retired NM State Police officer Mike Bowen told legislators during the 2005 session: "We in the law enforcement community believe that the death penalty works, that it's a deterrent that's been proven to us." What does the continuance of the death penalty in 37 states say about state commitment to nonviolent conflict resolution? Does execution of a convicted murderer provide peace to victims' families? Listen to the discussion and think about it yourself.