Speaking from the bench at a hearing in a Kentucky capital case, Fayette Circuit Judge Pamela Goodwine said, “Something needs to be done legislatively in Kentucky and in every state in the U.S. I think the death penalty probably should not be a penalty, ever.” Despite her personal views, Goodwine ruled that the death penalty could be sought against a man accused of participating in a murder, even though he did not shoot the victim. “As the law in Kentucky stands right now … he’s death-eligible as a conspirator in this case,” Goodwine said. “That’s the law as it stands right now. I, as a trial judge, have to follow that law whether I agree with it or not. If I had my druthers, there would be no death penalty in Kentucky.” She added that she was frustrated with the time and expense of capital cases and the emotional toll they take on everyone involved.

(G. Kocher, “Fayette circuit judge: ‘The death penalty probably should not be a penalty, ever,’” Lexington Herald-Leader, January 8, 2015). See New Voices and Recent Legislation.

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