Death penalty works, DA says

The Clarion-Ledger, 6/5/8

Jackson’s growing homicide rate has prompted Hinds County’s new district attorney to do something that hasn’t been done in at least two decades – seek the death penalty often in capital murder cases.

Robert Shuler Smith said Wednesday he believes the death penalty is a crime deterrent. There have been 29 homicides in Jackson this year; there had been 18 at this time last year.

“If someone thinks that you can commit murder in Hinds County and either walk away from the crime or not face the death penalty, I believe that weakens the strength of our laws,” he said. “The death penalty should be imposed more frequently or more often.”