GOP senators push death penalty debate

BOSTON (WWLP) - Republican lawmakers debated a sentencing bill Wednesday, hoping to push a proposal to restore the death penalty in Massachusetts.

Twenty four years ago this month, two Springfield police officers were shot and killed in the line of duty. But Eddie Ortiz killed himself before being arrested for the murders of Alan Beauregard and Michael Schiavina.

If state senate Republicans like Michael Knapik had their way today, Ortiz would have been eligible for the death. "In certain cases of the most extreme crimes committed where murder is involved, the individual should pay with his life," said Sen. Knapik.

But capital punishment in the Bay State hasn't been executed for 60 years. Philip Bellino and Edward Gertson were the last to be put to death; they were given the chair in 1947 for murder.

Lately theres been an effort to revive the practice. In 2005, former Governor Mitt Romney tried and failed to pass a bill identical to one debated Wednesday.

The Democratic House defeated Republican Romney's proposal on a 99-to-53 vote.

"If you have the ultimate penalty attached to a crime, maybe you'll think twice," said Sen. Knapik.

A suspect would be eligible for the death penalty under three conditions: in extreme cases of murder involving torture, a terrorist act, or murder involving a police officer.

"In some situations I don't think they're rehabable and we'd have to pay tax dollars to house them," said Monica Waddell of Springfield.

But there are still many who denounce the death penalty. "You're in the wrong just as they are so basically you murder too," said Keith Ashwell.

The life or death debate is expected to continue in the House of Representatives, in January.