BOISE, Idaho — Out-of-state nonprofit Death Penalty Action, along with local faith leaders, will host "Conversations About the Death Penalty" events this weekend in Boise and Pocatello — just days before the State of Idaho plans to execute its longest-serving death row inmate, Thomas Creech, on Wednesday.
Creech, 73, is convicted of five murders from several decades ago.
"Do we have to kill this guy? Is he unworthy of being allowed to live out his life with his death by incarceration?" said Abraham Bonowitz, Death Penalty Action executive director.
Bonowitz said he used to support the death penalty but changed his mind.
"The thing that made me jump from one side of the fence to the other was learning if you're going to commit a murder, you have to do it in a county that can afford a death penalty trial in order to even be death eligible," he said.
However, Dave Leroy, former attorney general and current defense attorney, said that argument does not hold much weight in Idaho.
"Even in the small counties in Idaho," he said, "I would not think that's a significant factor in Idaho to deter a death penalty prosecution in a proper case."
He also explained why he thinks the death penalty has a place in society. However, he acknowledged the "moral dilemma" many face when deciding how they feel about capital punishment.
"I believe that there's a deterrent effect, that the possibility of being executed does discourage a certain subset of people who might otherwise committed murder in a thinking way," he said. "And I believe in retribution. I think there's something morally correct about an eye for an eye, again, in the most heinous of cases."
Anyone is welcome to the events, Bonowitz said. He encourages police, friendly conversation and open dialogue about the issue.
"So that we can all actually start to think about it a little bit more than the gut reaction that we all have when we wear about some awful crime," he said.
Events:
- 7 p.m. Feb. 24 at First United Methodist Church, 200 N. 15th Ave. in Pocatello.
- 2 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Cathedral of the Rockies, 717 N. 11th St. in Boise.
Sunday's event will be live-streamed on Death Penalty Action's social media. People can also watch on Cathedral of the Rockies's social media and website.
Bonowitz said they plan on protesting the execution outside the prison on Wednesday. Creech's team also continues fighting to save Creech.
Just a few days ago, they filed an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court to stay the execution. However, a defense attorney told KTVB the highest court rarely grants stays.
A U.S. Appeals Court denied a different appeal to delay the execution Friday.
Watch more Local News:
See the latest news from around the Treasure Valley and the Gem State in our YouTube playlist:
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET NEWS FROM KTVB:
Download the KTVB News Mobile App
Apple iOS: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Watch news reports for FREE on YouTube: KTVB YouTube channel
Stream Live for FREE on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching 'KTVB'.
Stream Live for FREE on FIRE TV: Search ‘KTVB’ and click ‘Get’ to download.