Malloy Signs Bill Ending Death Penalty as Poll Shows Support for It

A new poll from Quinnipiac University finds that most voters in Connecticut support the death penalty just as Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signed legislation on Wednesday ending it.

Voters support capital punishment 62 percent to 30 percent, according to the poll. The majority think the decision to get rid of the death penalty in Connecticut is a “bad idea.” 

"The death penalty is a complex issue for voters, and for pollsters," said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz, PhD, in a press release. "Connecticut voters want to keep the death penalty, perhaps as an option for the most heinous crimes, such as the Cheshire murders."

"While they want to keep the death penalty on the books, voters are divided on whether they prefer to sentence convicted murderers to death or life without parole. In fact, 74 percent say a life or death sentence depends on the circumstances of the case," Schwartz added. 

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's office issued a statement in response to the poll.

"We have tried to be consistent in not saying much about polls because ... what's there to say?" said  Roy Occhiogrosso, senior advisor to the governor. "Polls come and go, numbers go up and down. The Governor always does what he thinks is best for the state and the right thing to do."

Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,745 registered voters with a margin of error of 2.4 percentage points from April 18-23.

After signing the bill to repeal capital punishment on Wednesday, Malloy issued a lengthy statement about the state joining 16 others in taking that action:

“Many of us who have advocated for this position over the years have said there is a moral component to our opposition to the death penalty. For me, that is certainly the case.  But that does not mean – nor should it mean – that we question the morality of those who favor capital punishment. I certainly don’t. I know many people whom I deeply respect, including friends and family, that believe the death penalty is just. In fact, the issue knows no boundaries: not political party, not gender, age, race, or any other demographic. It is, at once, one of the most compelling and vexing issues of our time."

Are our Patch readers consistent with the Quinnipiac poll? Or, trend towards Malloy's decision? Take our poll and join in the conversation on capital punishment.