Winner Launches Online Petition For Constituents To Register Death Penalty Support

Albany, N.Y.--

As the Senate prepares to act next week to approve legislation to reinstate New York State’s death penalty, State Senator George H. Winner, Jr. (R-C, Elmira) today launched an online petition to give anyone who favors the move a chance to register their support.

Winner’s constituents canregister their support througha new Join The Fight! online petition.

"How many police officer shootings will it take to finally get the attention of every government leader in New York?" Winner asked, noting that the Democratic leadership in the state Assembly continues to block legislation to reinstate the death penalty.

Winner is co-sponsoring legislation in the Senate to reinstate New York’s death penalty for those who kill a police officer, peace officer or employee of the state Department of Correctional Services. The measure was approved by Senate last year, but no action was taken by the Assembly.

In the wake of this week’sattacks on New York State troopers in Delaware County,the Senate plans to reapprove the legislation Winner co-sponsors next Monday.

"The death penalty won’t stop every act of violence against our law officers, we know that, but many of us believe it simply must be a part of a criminal justice system that provides every possible protection to the men and women who serve to protect the safety and security of all of us," said Winner. "Can we wait any longer? How can we keep sending our officers out into a violent world without every possible protection, including a system of criminal justice that includes the death penalty and every other possible tool of deterrence?"