Families of Murdered Sign Letter Against Death Penalty

Click below to read the entire letter.

Our view on the death penalty may come as a surprise. Supporters of ending the death penalty often face the question: "What if it were your loved one who was murdered?" For each one of us, that question has ceased to be hypothetical and become a reality.

We never asked to be in this position, and would do anything to change it. We realize, however, that nothing can erase the loss that a senseless act of violence brought into our lives. But we can honor the memory of our loved ones and other families who may face tragedy by working for effective responses to violence. The death penalty, rather than preventing violence, only perpetuates it and inflicts further pain on survivors.

The reality of the death penalty is that it drags out the legal process for decades. In Connecticut, the death penalty is a false promise that goes unfulfilled, leaving victims' families frustrated and angry after years of fighting the legal system. And as the state hangs onto this broken system, it wastes millions of dollars that could go toward much needed victims' services.

Some believe that they stand with victims' families by supporting the death penalty for "particularly heinous murders." We have difficulty understanding this position. The implication is that other murders are ordinary and do not merit the death penalty. From experience, we can tell you that every murder is heinous, a tragedy for the lost one's family. The death penalty has the effect of elevating certain victims' families above others. Connecticut should be better than that.

As lawmakers consider whether to keep or end Connecticut's death penalty, they truly face a life or death decision. It deserves careful consideration and consultation from the primary stakeholders in the state's system of capital punishment. We urge our lawmakers to make the choice that best serves the interests of victims' families. We urge them to abolish Connecticut's death penalty.

Henrietta Beckman of Hartford

Son Randy Beckman was murdered

Roger Beckman of Hartford

Brother Randy Beckman was murdered

Antoinette Bosco of Brookfield

Son John and daughter-in-law Nancy Bosco were murdered

Elizabeth Brancato of Torrington

Mother Barbara McKitis was murdered

Juan Candelaria of New Haven

Grandmother Carmen was murdered

Gail Canzano

Brother-in-law Thomas E. Otte was murdered in Hartford

Wendy Lou Cates of Willimantic

Niece Kim Rivera as murdered

Delois Charles of Derby

Sons Terrence S. Ham and Howard Charles Jr. were murdered

Sarah P. Cheney

Father Thomas E. Otte was murdered in Hartford

Tim Coffee of Stamford

Aunt Cornelia Crilley was murdered

Colleen Coleman

Brother-in-law Thomas E. Otte was murdered in Hartford

Shereese Cook of Hartford

Cousins Sammuel Drummer, Anthony Alexdria, Kenneth Waden, and Tristan Cook were murdered

Victoria Coward of New Haven

Son Tyler Coward was murdered

Dwight Davis of Norwalk

Cousin Horace Williams was murdered

Walter H. Everett

Son Scott Everett was murdered in Bridgeport

Wayne Everett

Brother Scott Everett was murdered in Bridgeport

Samantha Fasanello of Fairfield

Mother Valerie Fasanello was murdered

Frank Fazio of Stamford

Uncle Phillip Fazio was murdered

Jocelyne S. Ferrer of Plainville

Son Henri-Robert Ferrer was murdered

Gina Flagg of Hartford

Cousin Randy Beckman was murdered

Kristin Froehlich

Brother David Joseph Froehlich was murdered in Georgetown

Susanne Fusso of Middletown

Mother was murdered

Sunny Khadjavi of Shelton

Father John Finseth was murdered

Kenneth Fredeen of Monroe

Aunt Virginia Brace was murdered

Drew Harris of Cheshire

Aunt Marian Harris Evans was murdered

Laura Harrison of Manchester

Aunt Colletta Tripp was murdered

William Harshaw of New Britain

Son William Harshaw Jr. was murdered

Pamela Joiner of Hartford

Son Jumar Joiner was murdered

Paul Labounty of Willimantic

Cousin Donald John was murdered

Carol LaBotz

Nephew Thomas E. Otte was murdered in Hartford

Arthur Laffin

Brother Paul Laffin was murdered in Hartford

Cheryl Machado of Willimantic

Uncle Tommy was murdered

Janna Marazita

Brother Scott Everett was murdered in Bridgeport

Maria Melendez of Hartford

Son was murdered

Tiffany Mitchell of Hartford

Grandfather was murdered

Daniel O. Otte

Uncle Thomas E. Otte was murdered in Hartford

David Otte

Uncle Thomas E. Otte was murdered in Hartford

Debra B. Otte

Brother-in-law Thomas E. Otte was murdered in Hartford

Elizabeth Otte

Uncle Thomas E. Otte was murdered in Hartford

Erin M. Otte

Father-in-law Thomas E. Otte was murdered in Hartford

Jonathan E. Otte

Father Thomas E. Otte was murdered in Hartford

Katelind Otte

Uncle Thomas E. Otte was murdered in Hartford

Maxwell Otte

Uncle Thomas E. Otte was murdered in Hartford

Michael P. Otte

Brother Thomas E. Otte was murdered in Hartford

Timothy J. Otte

Brother Thomas E. Otte was murdered in Hartford

Stephanie Papillo of West Hartford

Aunt Valerie Papillo was murdered

Marie Pellegrini of Plantsville

Son Joseph Pellegrini was murdered

Mahogany Phillips of New Haven

Father Lavias Phillips, cousin Laron Phillips, and cousin Ricky Cooper were murdered

Renee Robinson of Waterbury

Grandmother Corrine Derovin was murdered

Carmen Rodriguez of Hartford

Son Carlos Garcia was murdered

Wanda Lynn Short of Danbury

Cousin Joseph Hawkins was murdered

Cindy Siclari of Monroe

Sister-in-law Janet Siclari was murdered

Diana Siclari of Monroe

Aunt Janet Siclari was murdered

Erik Siclari of Monroe

Aunt Janet Siclari was murdered

Kevin Siclari of Monore

Aunt Janet Siclari was murdered

Kristen Siclari of Monroe

Aunt Janet Siclari was murdered

William Siclari of Monroe

Sister Janet Siclari was murdered

Carol Silva of Willimantic

Nephew Chris Mickey Lord was murdered

Karen Smith of Danbury

Uncle Errol Jones was murdered

Anne Stone of West Hartford

Son Ralph was murdered

Fred Stone of West Hartford

Son Ralph was murdered

Mary van Valkenberg

Brother John Bosco and sister-in-law Nancy Bosco were murdered

Barbara Voss

Brother Thomas E. Otte was murdered in Hartford

Jeremy Voss

Uncle Thomas E. Otte was murdered in Hartford

William Voss

Brother-in-law of Thomas E. Otte, murdered in Hartford

Deborah Zane

Cousin Margaret Polizzi was murdered