State of Massachusetts secondary Archives: on Crime
Ayanna Pressley:
Supports message & action of NFL players kneeling in protest
Pressley challenged [incumbent opponent Mike] on his vote for a so-called "Blue Lives Matter" bill which would impose harsher penalties for crimes against members of law enforcement. Additionally, in a recent debate,
Capuano said that he supported the message of NFL players who have chosen to kneel in protest against police brutality but questioned the tactics. Pressley has said that she supports both the action and the message.
Source: The Daily Beast on 2018 Massachusetts 7th House race
Sep 2, 2018
Ayanna Pressley:
High minority incarceration rate is modern day slavery
Asked about recent controversial comments made by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who was speaking at a university in New Orleans where she described the criminal justice system as "racist," Pressley and Capuano found solidarity with Warren's statement,
though Capuano offered a caveat. "I think it's more than just intentional racism, I think it's institutional racism," Capuano said, lauding local officials for their efforts to address criminal justice reform. "But I want to be real clear:
I think most people in the criminal justice system are trying to do the right thing and trying to get it right."
Referring to the disproportionate number of minorities incarcerated as "modern day slavery," Pressley touted her efforts on Boston City Council to reform the system and called for bail and sentencing reform to be part of the solution.
Source: WGBH 89.7 FM Radio on 2018 Massachusetts 7th House race
Aug 15, 2018
Carla Howell:
Drug prohibition makes crime profitable
Alcohol Prohibition didnt work. Alcohol Prohibition made it profitable for Al Capone and other gangsters to push bad alcohol. With Drug Prohibition, gangs like the Crips and Bloods continue the work of Al Capone. Because of the war on drugs, over
50% of all federal prisoners are nonviolent drug offenders. Mandatory minimum sentence laws which were championed by Ted Kennedy have caused murderers, rapists and child molesters to be released early to make room for non-violent drug offenders.
Source: Eric Darbe, Massachusetts News
Jan 5, 2000
Charlie Baker:
Hold accountable those responsible for state drug lab crisis
Those running against Attorney General Martha Coakley say a proposed sentence for rogue state drug lab chemist Annie Dookhan isn't harsh enough. Prosecutors urged a judge to sentence Dookhan to up to seven years in prison if she pleads guilty in a
drug-testing lab scandal that jeopardized thousands of criminal convictions and cost the state millions. Dookhan is charged with tampering with evidence, obstruction of justice and perjury for allegedly faking tests at a now-closed state lab.
In a written statement, Republican Charlie Baker, who is running against Coakley, said: "The Charlie Baker is a serious public safety crisis still affecting our communities and it is imperative everyone responsible is held accountable to the
fullest extent."
Coakley's office released the following statement: "Our office's investigation first uncovered the full scope of Annie Dookhan's crimes and brought them to the public's attention. We have recommended a significant sentence."
Source: Fox 25 Boston on 2014 Massachusetts Governor's race
Oct 18, 2013
Charlie Baker:
Seek death penalty for Boston Marathon bomber
All five Democratic candidates for governor say Dzhokhar Tsarnaev shouldn't face the death penalty for his alleged role in the Boston Marathon bombing. Federal prosecutors last week announced they would seek the penalty against the 20-year-old Tsarnaev,
accusing him of betraying his adopted country by ruthlessly carrying out a terrorist attack calculated to cause maximum carnage.During a video debate Wednesday on The Boston Globe's website, Boston.com, they were asked: "should
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev face the death penalty?" All five--Donald Berwick, Martha Coakley, Joseph Avellone, Juliette Kayyem and Steve Grossman--answered "no."
Republican candidate for governor
Charlie Baker said Tuesday that he supports the decision to seek the death penalty against Tsarnaev. The question has put some death penalty opponents in an awkward position given the high-profile nature of the crime.
Source: WCVB-TV on 2014 Massachusetts Gubernatorial debate
Feb 5, 2014
Charlie Baker:
Account for criminal history in dangerousness hearing
We've made progress on criminal justice. But our work here is not done. In deciding whether or not it makes sense to hold a dangerousness hearing, current law requires a judge to ignore any previous criminal history and to focus only on the crime before
the court. Moreover, the list of crimes for which a prosecutor is allowed to make that request is quite narrow. Too often, dangerous career criminals are arrested only to be released as soon as they appear in court. This sort of revolving door serves to
undermine people's faith in law enforcement and the courts. And it's a threat to public safety.Nobody wants to see someone's life ruined over a small-time lapse in judgment. But, we still need a common sense approach that provides the system with the
ability to schedule a dangerousness hearing when individuals with violent histories come before the court. We owe it to law enforcement and to our citizens to ensure that we're doing all we can to keep dangerous people off of our streets.
Source: 2019 Massachusetts governor inaugural (State of the State)
Jan 3, 2019
Charlie Baker:
Passed one of the most comprehensive police reform laws
The horrific murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis brought the issue of systemic racism to the forefront of our national dialogue. We acted and passed one of the most comprehensive police reform laws in the country. The new law bans chokeholds,
limits no-knock warrants, and creates a new independent state entity with the power to establish policing standards, certify law enforcement officers, investigate allegations of misconduct, and suspend or revoke certification.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Massachusetts legislature
Jan 26, 2021
Charlie Baker:
Reform police based on racial equity
S.2963: An Act Relative to Justice, Equity and Accountability in Law Enforcement in the Commonwealth.Summary by NBC TV-10 Boston, December 31, 2020: Notable components of the bill include a ban against the use of chokeholds and a call
for a task force on body cameras. Sen. Sonia Chang-DĦaz said, "The law will create the first civilian-led police oversight board with subpoena power; it will limit no-knock warrants; it will create a duty to de-escalate for police officers; it will
ban racial profiling." The proposal had received some pushback from police unions, but the State Police Association of Massachusetts recognized the importance of the legislation. Some activists have said the bill does not go far enough by not doing away
with qualified immunity entirely.
Legislative Outcome:Passed House 91-67-2 on Dec/1/20; Passed Senate 31-9-0 on Dec/21/20; Signed by Governor Charlie Baker on Dec/31/20.
Source: NBC TV-10 Boston on Massachusetts voting records: S.2963
Dec 30, 2020
Charlie Baker:
Reform police based on racial equity
S.2963: An Act Relative to Justice, Equity and Accountability in Law Enforcement in the Commonwealth.Summary by NBC TV-10 Boston, December 31, 2020: Notable components of the bill include a ban against the use of chokeholds and a call
for a task force on body cameras. Sen. Sonia Chang-DĦaz said, "The law will create the first civilian-led police oversight board with subpoena power; it will limit no-knock warrants; it will create a duty to de-escalate for police officers; it will
ban racial profiling." The proposal had received some pushback from police unions, but the State Police Association of Massachusetts recognized the importance of the legislation. Some activists have said the bill does not go far enough by not doing away
with qualified immunity entirely.
Legislative Outcome:Passed House 91-67-2 on Dec/1/20; Passed Senate 31-9-0 on Dec/21/20; State Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz voted YES; Signed by Governor Charlie Baker on Dec/31/20.
Source: NBC TV-10 Boston on Massachusetts voting records: S.2963
Dec 21, 2020
Danielle Allen:
Alternatives to incarceration; justice by focus on community
Danielle believes justice requires a focus on community and relationships, alternatives to incarceration, a public health approach to violence interruption,
and health-based approaches to substance use disorder, as well as a good jobs economy.
Source: 2022 Massachusetts Gubernatorial website AllenForMA.com
Jan 15, 2022
Deval Patrick:
Misuse of CORI system prevents getting back on their feet
Public safety cries out for a better approach. Sentencing in the Commonwealth has become about warehousing people; and we do little to prepare the 94% of those incarcerated who will one day re-enter civic life. Once released, the misuse of the
CORI system makes it nearly impossible for some people to get work, a place to live, and back on their feet. Let's focus less on old rhetoric and more on preventing crime, and pass a meaningful, comprehensive Anti-Crime Bill.
Source: 2009 State of the State speech to Massachusetts Legislature
Jan 1, 2009
Deval Patrick:
Marathon bomber will die in prison, one way or another
Massachusetts Democrats, who also personally oppose the death penalty, straggled into line behind Attorney General Eric Holder's decision to seek the death penalty against the so-called Marathon bomber because of the targeting of an iconic event;
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev."One way or another, based on the evidence, Tsarnaev will die in prison," declared Gov. Deval Patrick. "The best we can do is remind each other that we are a stronger Commonwealth than ever and that nothing can break that spirit."
There's a Democrat in the White House, and Massachusetts Democrats don't want to cross him or his AG. There's also the posturing aspect of Holder's decision: seeking the death penalty increases
the government's leverage to get a guilty verdict in return for life without parole. And to Massachusetts politicians, "Boston Strong" has come to mean looking tough to the nation on terrorism, not "squishy on crime."
Source: Boston Globe OpEd on 2014 Massachusetts gubernatorial race
Jan 31, 2014
Don Berwick:
No death penalty for Boston Marathon bomber
All five Democratic candidates for governor say Dzhokhar Tsarnaev shouldn't face the death penalty for his alleged role in the Boston Marathon bombing. Federal prosecutors last week announced they would seek the penalty against the 20-year-old Tsarnaev,
accusing him of betraying his adopted country by ruthlessly carrying out a terrorist attack calculated to cause maximum carnage.During a video debate Wednesday on The Boston Globe's website, Boston.com, they were asked: "should
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev face the death penalty?" All five--Donald Berwick, Martha Coakley, Joseph Avellone, Juliette Kayyem and Steve Grossman--answered "no."
Republican candidate for governor
Charlie Baker said Tuesday that he supports the decision to seek the death penalty against Tsarnaev. The question has put some death penalty opponents in an awkward position given the high-profile nature of the crime.
Source: WCVB-TV on 2014 Massachusetts Gubernatorial debate
Feb 5, 2014
Ed Markey:
Ban "weapons of war" including tear gas from police use
O'Connor painted Markey as someone who wants to "defund police". O'Connor's answer to resolving racial justice issues is to "enforce the law." He noted that he was the "first diversity and inclusion coordinator of what was then the largest law firm in
Boston 20 years ago." O'Connor said cops were not to be blamed, arguing the focus should be on Markey's "failed record in terms of social programs and failed inner city schools."
Source: Springfield Republican on 2020 Massachusetts Senate debate
Oct 5, 2020
Elizabeth Warren:
Criminal justice system is racist front to back
Elizabeth Warren delivered what she called "the hard truth about our criminal justice system: It's racist ... I mean front to back."While speaking at a historically black college, the Massachusetts senator identified some of the system's failures:
disproportionate arrests of African-Americans for petty drug possession; an overloaded public defender system; and state laws that keep convicted felons from voting even after their sentences are complete.
Warren was participating in a Q&A session
hosted by Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Cedric Richmond at Dillard University in New Orleans. She was among several possible Democratic White House contenders who spoke at Netroots Nation, an annual conference for progressives.
Other than on
criminal justice, Warren did not focus her answers on race, offering her usual creed about bending public policy back toward working-class Americans. She called for support for unions, massive investments in infrastructure and more spending on education.
Source: Associated Press on 2018 Massachusetts Senate race
Aug 4, 2018
Geoff Diehl:
Police should not be condemned, but supported
Diehl said the idea of defunding police and taking away qualified immunity for officers was wrong. He said while transgressions like
George Floyd's killing need to be called out and fixed, police as an institution should not be condemned, but supported.
Source: The Patriot Ledger on 2022 Massachusetts Gubernatorial race
Jul 7, 2021
Heidi Wellman:
Stricter punishment doesn't reduce crime
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Stricter punishment reduces crime"?
A: NO
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Massachusetts Senate candidate
Mar 7, 2018
Jay Gonzalez:
End mandatory minimum sentencing
A well-functioning criminal justice system should be grounded in evidence and science, operating on fact rather than fear and treating all who encounter it equitably, without regard to race or income. My comprehensive plan for criminal justice
reform includes updating our approach to juvenile & young offenders; reversing the trend of over-incarceration; making incarceration more productive & expanding programming; and giving victims and ex-offenders the services and support to succeed.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts Gubernatorial website Jay4MA.com
Sep 15, 2017
Jay Gonzalez:
Treat underlying conditions that contribute to crime
Nothing predicts a person's future involvement with the criminal justice system as strongly as spending their first day in jail. To make our communities safer, we need criminal justice reform from the front end to the back end. We need to do everything
we can to prevent crime. We need to invest in education and housing and shared economic growth, giving even our most at-risk residents healthy and productive pathways.When crime does occur, we need to deal with it effectively, swiftly and fairly.
We need to treat the underlying conditions that contribute to crime, especially mental illness and addiction. We need to give all parts of the system, including police, prosecutors, public defenders, and corrections systems, a wider range of tools and
options to tailor punishment and rehabilitation to the particular facts of a case and needs of the defendant. We need to expand in-prison and post-release programs to stop the cycle of recidivism and reincarceration.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts gubernatorial campaign website jay4ma.com
Dec 12, 2017
Jay Gonzalez:
Over-incarceration has terrible costs for society
Overincarceration is terribly expensive for taxpayers--over $53,000 per inmate per year in state prison. Corrections spending per inmate in Massachusetts is rising faster than other areas of the budget. Overcrowding in our jails crowds out other
important investments Massachusetts needs to make in our Commonwealth.Overincarceration has terrible costs for individuals, families and communities as well. Former inmates earn 40% less each year than they would have earned had they not been
incarcerated.
The overincarceration problem starts even before a defendant goes to trial. Unlike federal and many state courts, Massachusetts does not use a validated risk assessment process to make evidence-based bail decisions.
Pre-trial detainees in Massachusetts are incarcerated on average nearly 60 days before release, compared to a national median length for a felony defendant of 45 days.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts gubernatorial campaign website jay4ma.com
Dec 12, 2017
John Kingston:
Reduce imprisonment; expand rehabilitation
I favor efforts to reduce the rate of imprisonment, especially for non-violent crimes. We have to heal the distrust and divide between the police and our communities. And we've locked up far too many for far too long,
and they are released into a society ill-prepared for their return. If we don't invest in education, mental health services, and job opportunities for those who need our help, then it's an invitation to social disaster for all of us.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts Senatorial website JohnKingston.com
Oct 15, 2017
Karyn Polito:
Voted YES on reinstating capital punishment
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting NO in Part X: SAFETY AND CRIME: Clause 3: Death penalty. [State Rep. Polito, a Republican, voted YES].The Governor recommended legislation reinstating capital punishment in the Commonwealth.
A vote of YES would include the Governor's recommended bill, and would reinstate the death penalty for certain crimes, and with numerous safeguards against abuse. The crimes included: terrorism; killing police officers; torture; or murder-sprees.
The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part X, clause 3: SAFETY, JUSTICE AND CRIME PREVENTION: In opposing the reinstatement of the death penalty, Massachusetts Democrats join with other western democracies in upholding the
Universal Doctrine of Human Rights. Instead, the Commonwealth imposes life in prison without parole for first-degree murderers.
Bill H. 3834 ; vote number H302
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Nov 15, 2005
Karyn Polito:
Opposed funding Mass Correctional Legal Services
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part VI: Safety & Justice:Legal Services. [State Rep. Polito, a Republican, voted NO].Override Gov. Romney's veto of Budget Line Item 0321-2100, $500,000 for the Massachusetts
Correctional Legal Services (MCLS). MCLS provides the only legal aid to indigent incarcerated individuals.
Relevant platform section: PART VI: SAFETY, JUSTICE & CRIME PREVENTION
Legal Services: "We support publicly funded legal services to provide legal representation and advice on issues such as housing, employment, domestic violence, health, elder law, public benefits, and immigration.
We urge full state and federal funding of such services."
Source citation: Veto Override ; vote number 258
Source: Massachusetts Senate voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 14, 2003
Kevin O`Connor:
Horrified by Floyd murder, but do not defund police
Kevin O`Connor says, "Defunding the police is a bad idea." Kevin supports law enforcement as an important component of safe communities, and has said recent calls to defund the police are misguided. Kevin supports police departments in their efforts to
be more inclusive and diverse and will support grant programs that encourage more training and support. "The murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis horrified me. America cannot tolerate that kind of brutality," he said.
Source: 2020 Massachusetts Senate campaign website KOCforSenate.com
Oct 6, 2020
Martha Coakley:
Supports seeking federal death penalty for Marathon Bomber
Massachusetts Democrats, who also personally oppose the death penalty, straggled into line behind Attorney General Eric Holder's decision to seek the death penalty against the so-called Marathon bomber because of the targeting of an iconic event;
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.Martha Coakley, who is running for governor and is also supposedly against the death penalty, said she is sure "that after very thoughtful consideration, Attorney General Holder has made this decision based upon the facts of this
case and applicable federal law." Candidates Juliette Kayyem &Don Berwick similarly hedged.
There's a Democrat in the White House, and Massachusetts Democrats don't want to cross him or his AG. There's also the posturing aspect of Holder's decision:
seeking the death penalty increases the government's leverage to get a guilty verdict in return for life without parole. And to Massachusetts politicians, "Boston Strong" has come to mean looking tough to the nation on terrorism, not "squishy on crime."
Source: Boston Globe OpEd on 2014 Massachusetts gubernatorial race
Jan 31, 2014
Marty Walsh:
Supported funding Mass Correctional Legal Services
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part VI: Safety & Justice:Legal Services. [State Rep. Walsh voted YES].Override Gov. Romney's veto of Budget Line Item 0321-2100, $500,000 for the Massachusetts
Correctional Legal Services (MCLS). MCLS provides the only legal aid to indigent incarcerated individuals.
Relevant platform section: PART VI: SAFETY, JUSTICE & CRIME PREVENTION
Legal Services: "We support publicly funded legal services to provide legal representation and advice on issues such as housing, employment, domestic violence, health, elder law, public benefits, and immigration.
We urge full state and federal funding of such services."
Source citation: Veto Override ; vote number 258
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 10, 2003
Marty Walsh:
Voted NO on reinstating capital punishment
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting NO in Part X: SAFETY AND CRIME: Clause 3: Death penalty. [State Rep. Walsh, a Democrat, voted NO].The Governor recommended legislation reinstating capital punishment in the Commonwealth.
A vote of YES would include the Governor's recommended bill, and would reinstate the death penalty for certain crimes, and with numerous safeguards against abuse. The crimes included: terrorism; killing police officers; torture; or murder-sprees.
The relevant part of the MassDems Platform is Part X, clause 3: SAFETY, JUSTICE AND CRIME PREVENTION: In opposing the reinstatement of the death penalty, Massachusetts Democrats join with other western democracies in upholding the
Universal Doctrine of Human Rights. Instead, the Commonwealth imposes life in prison without parole for first-degree murderers.
Bill H. 3834 ; vote number H302
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Nov 15, 2005
Maura Healey:
Increase penalties for hate crimes, revamp current law
"A white supremacist who targets and attacks a Black person because of their race is treated the same as a person who punches somebody in a bar fight. That's not right," Healey said. "And if the penalties are the same for a simple battery and a hate
crime battery, which they are under current law, here's what happens: as a prosecutor, you charge the battery. You don't charge the hate crime, because you have to prove the additional element of intent, and that's hard to do."
Source: WBUR and SHNS on 2022 Massachusetts Gubernatorial race
Nov 23, 2021
Maura Healey:
Supported 2020 reform bill repealing mandatory minimums
She's supported criminal justice reforms--the 2020 police reform bill in Massachusetts, repealing mandatory minimums, bail reform, adopting uniform policies on eyewitness identification, increasing the property crime thresholds
amounts and thereby downgrading many of these offenses from felonies to misdemeanors, releasing terminally ill incarcerated individuals, ending mandatory drivers license revocations for non-driving offenses.
Source: 2022 Massachusetts Governor campaign website MauraHealey.com
Jun 7, 2022
Michael Capuano:
Supports message but not action of NFL players kneeling
While Pressley and [incumbent opponent Mike] Capuano did not disagree on much substantive policy, Pressley challenged on his vote for a so-called "Blue Lives Matter" bill which would impose harsher penalties for crimes against members of law enforcement.
Additionally, in a recent debate, Capuano said that he supported the message of NFL players who have chosen to kneel in protest against police brutality but questioned the tactics. Pressley has said that she supports both the action and the message.
Source: The Daily Beast on 2018 Massachusetts 7th House race
Sep 2, 2018
Michael Capuano:
Criminal justice system is institutional racism
Asked about recent controversial comments made by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who was speaking at a university in New Orleans where she described the criminal justice system as "racist," Pressley and Capuano found solidarity with Warren's statement,
though Capuano offered a caveat. "I think it's more than just intentional racism, I think it's institutional racism," Capuano said, lauding local officials for their efforts to address criminal justice reform. "But I want to be real clear:
I think most people in the criminal justice system are trying to do the right thing and trying to get it right."
Referring to the disproportionate number of minorities incarcerated as "modern day slavery," Pressley touted her efforts on Boston City Council to reform the system and called for bail and sentencing reform to be part of the solution.
Source: WGBH 89.7 FM Radio on 2018 Massachusetts 7th House race
Aug 15, 2018
Richard Tisei:
Opposed funding Mass Correctional Legal Services
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part VI: Safety & Justice:Legal Services. [State Senator Tisei, a Republican, voted NO].Override Gov. Romney's veto of Budget Line Item 0321-2100, $500,000 for the Massachusetts
Correctional Legal Services (MCLS). MCLS provides the only legal aid to indigent incarcerated individuals.
Relevant platform section: PART VI: SAFETY, JUSTICE & CRIME PREVENTION
Legal Services: "We support publicly funded legal services to provide legal representation and advice on issues such as housing, employment, domestic violence, health, elder law, public benefits, and immigration.
We urge full state and federal funding of such services."
Source citation: Veto Override ; vote number 258
Source: Massachusetts Senate voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 14, 2003
Scott Brown:
Opposed funding Mass Correctional Legal Services
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting YES in Part VI: Safety & Justice:Legal Services. [State Senator Brown, a Republican, voted NO].Override Gov. Romney's veto of Budget Line Item 0321-2100, $500,000 for the Massachusetts
Correctional Legal Services (MCLS). MCLS provides the only legal aid to indigent incarcerated individuals.
Relevant platform section: PART VI: SAFETY, JUSTICE & CRIME PREVENTION
Legal Services: "We support publicly funded legal services to provide legal representation and advice on issues such as housing, employment, domestic violence, health, elder law, public benefits, and immigration.
We urge full state and federal funding of such services."
Source citation: Veto Override ; vote number 258
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Jul 10, 2003
Setti Warren:
Opposes federalization of police
On what he learned after having rocks thrown at him as a child in Newton: "When I think about what's happening in our country today, what's happening in the commonwealth, and the divisions that are in place right now politically
with the presidential election that's occurred, I think about the fact that we've got to pushback against these policies from the Trump administration that are divisive. The Muslim Ban.
The federalization of police officers. We've got to pushback against that and I have. And cuts to investments to people of moderate income. At the same time there are people who voted for
President Trump that didn't vote for him for those reasons. We've got to reach out of those folks if we are going to deal with the issue of our time which I believe is economic inequality."
Source: WBUR.org on 2018 Massachusetts gubernatorial race
Jun 12, 2017
Setti Warren:
More parole instead of privatization of prisons
I understand the "People's Platform" legislative proposals noted on the "ORMA Candidate Endorsement Policy" includes the "Justice is Not For Sale Act." That act includes a range of federal issues which I have not had the time to fully research to be
able to endorse the federal elements but I would unequivocally oppose privatization of prisons and would veto any effort to introduce private state prisons by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I also support parole as an appropriate criminal justice tool. Finally, while not addressed by ORMA, I support the policies proposed in Massachusetts as part of the current
Criminal Justice legislation proposed by Democrats in the legislature and would welcome a chance to discuss them in detail.
Source: ORMA questionnaire on 2018 Massachusetts governor race
Dec 20, 2017
Sonia Chang-Diaz:
Wrote law banning chokeholds & racial profiling
[On police reform]: "This law will create the first civilian-led police oversight board with subpoena power and decertification authority; it will ban chokeholds and limit no-knock warrants; it will create a duty-to-intervene for police officers and a
duty to de-escalate," said Chang-Díaz. "It will ban racial profiling and put enforcement powers behind that ban; it will end the requirement of police officers in schools. But no one bill will dismantle structural racism."
Source: Jamaica Plain News on 2022 Massachusetts Gubernatorial race
Jan 1, 2021
Steve Grossman:
7-year sentence not enough for rogue state lab chemist
Those running against Attorney General Martha Coakley in the upcoming gubernatorial election say a proposed sentence of 7 years for rogue state drug lab chemist Annie Dookhan isn't harsh enough. Dookhan is charged with tampering with evidence,
obstruction of justice and perjury for allegedly faking tests at a now-closed state lab.State Treasurer Steve Grossman said, "I just know what makes good, common sense. I don't think this is what makes good, common sense for the people of the
Commonwealth." He told FOX 25 the proposed punishment doesn't fit the crime. "I think it's inadequate," Grossman said, noting that Dookhan's actions caused 300 people to be released from jail and 1,100 drug cases have been dismissed. Approximately
40,000 people in the criminal justice system could be affected. "One person has already been shot and killed by somebody who was let out of jail," Grossman said. "I don't think it's an appropriate deterrent, so I think it should be far stronger."
Source: Fox 25 Boston on 2014 Massachusetts Governor's race
Oct 18, 2013
Steve Grossman:
No death penalty for Boston Marathon bomber
All five Democratic candidates for governor say Dzhokhar Tsarnaev shouldn't face the death penalty for his alleged role in the Boston Marathon bombing. Federal prosecutors last week announced they would seek the penalty against the 20-year-old Tsarnaev,
accusing him of betraying his adopted country by ruthlessly carrying out a terrorist attack calculated to cause maximum carnage.During a video debate Wednesday on The Boston Globe's website, Boston.com, they were asked: "should
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev face the death penalty?" All five--Donald Berwick, Martha Coakley, Joseph Avellone, Juliette Kayyem and Steve Grossman--answered "no."
Republican candidate for governor
Charlie Baker said Tuesday that he supports the decision to seek the death penalty against Tsarnaev. The question has put some death penalty opponents in an awkward position given the high-profile nature of the crime.
Source: WCVB-TV on 2014 Massachusetts Gubernatorial debate
Feb 5, 2014
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023