This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
In "Gun addiction" (Forum, June 26), Ron Molen makes a good observation that we don't let drug addicts make drug policy and we don't choose alcoholics for the liquor commission.
Given this common sense, why do we elect attorneys to make our laws? Seems that they will make laws that benefit their profession.
For example, it now takes four or five years for some cases to come to trial. And why are there umpteen automatic appeals on a death sentence that stretch the process out decades? Probably to make more work for the attorneys.
If the death penalty is meant to deter more murders, it would be more effective if it were carried out in a much shorter time after conviction. If a person knew he or she could be dead in just a couple of years after being found guilty, some may reconsider committing the murder.
Jack Binch
Sandy