Too sick to die

Governor Timothy Kaine of Virginia commuted a death sentence to life without parole today, on the grounds that the inmate is too mentally ill to understand the punishment. Kaine's statement is here.

This is the appropriate measure. Elsewhere, U.S. courts have determined that those similarly situated to Percy Levar Walton may be medicated by a State to bring their mental state to within constitutional parameters, a disposition that seems not that much less morally reprehensible than the initial crimes committed, if at all.

Make that 36

Thirty-six States that will continue to engage in the increasingly complex ritual of putting prisoners to death. And, of course, the federal government, along with our fellow travelers in progressive societies such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, North Korea, and Uzbekistan.

New Jersey Moves to End Its Death Penalty

"I am ashamed the Assembly would consider this bill today," said Assemblyman Richard A. Merkt, a conservative Republican from Randolph.

I get that. He means it should have been considered decades ago. The last execution in Wisconsin occurred in 1851, in Kenosha. Citizens of the Garden State! Welcome to the 19th century.