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Charlie Baker on Crime

 

 


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

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

2010: charge state prisoners $5 a day for their room & board

In a big shift from 2010, Baker is mostly soft pedaling some traditional MA GOP attack lines (at least for now), such as "Getting tough on criminals":