Michael Capuano in The Boston Globe

On Crime: Voted for terrorist death penalty as part of larger bill

Capuano once voted to sanction the execution of terrorists. [In response Capuano's criticism of Martha Coakley's death penalty brief], a Coakley spokeswoman highlighted Capuano's vote in December 2001 to authorize the United States to execute terrorists who bomb public areas or government buildings. "I'm against the death penalty, but if we're going to have one, than there are few people more deserving of it than those who committed those particularly heinous crimes," Capuano told the Boston Herald at the time.

"It's particularly ironic to hear criticism on this issue from the only candidate in this race who has actually voted in favor of the death penalty, Mike Capuano," the Coakley spokeswoman said.

Capuano has defended his vote by saying the legislation was much broader than the death penalty issue and included stronger laws in terrorism cases.

Source: Matt Viser in Boston Globe, "Death Penalty Brief" Nov 7, 2009

On Crime: Death penalty is out of step with progressive Massachusetts

Capuano yesterday blasted Attorney General Martha Coakley's decision to get involved in an Alabama death penalty case, saying the man they are vying to succeed in the Senate, Edward M. Kennedy, "would have never supported this position."

"She is out of step with the progressive values of the Commonwealth," Capuano said in a statement.

In September, Capuano sought to highlight Coakley's evolution on the issue. Coakley previously favored the death penalty in two instances.

Source: Matt Viser in Boston Globe, "Death Penalty Brief" Nov 7, 2009

The above quotations are from Media coverage of MA political races in The Boston Globe. Click here for other excerpts from Media coverage of MA political races in The Boston Globe. Click here for other excerpts by Michael Capuano. Click here for a profile of Michael Capuano.
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