USA - Montana. A letter to the legislators signed by 80 reverends, rabbis, pastors and preachers urges support of a bill that would replace the death penalty

A letter to the legislators signed by 80 reverends, rabbis, pastors and preachers urges support of a bill that would replace the death penalty with a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Members of the group made the announcement today after the Senate passed its version last week. "It brings into question for us issues of compassion and justice," said the Rev. David Peters of the Montana Lutheran Synod. "Violence begets violence." Catholic Bishop Michael Warfel said “A life sentence would give offenders time to reflect on the crime, and perhaps come to remorse and salvation — a possibility that is eliminated with execution”. Bill SB 236 to abolish the death penalty was passed in the Montana Senate on Feb. 16 (see) by a 27-23 vote, and is now before the House of Representatives. It is scheduled for a hearing in the Judiciary Committee on March 25.