PUBLIC

SAFETY LEADERS CHALLENGE FALSE AND MISLEADING BALLOT PAMPHLET ARGUMENTS SUBMITTED BY YES ON PROPOSITION 34
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, August 6, 2012

CONTACT:

Mitch Zak (916) 448-5802 @MitchZak

(SACRAMENTO, CALIF) While rhetoric and opinion is part of the political process, proponents of the effort to repeal Californias Death Penalty (Proposition 34) have crossed the line, including false and misleading assertions in official state ballot documents, which is prohibited by state law. Prop 34 opponents announced today they have filed suit in to correct the record and ensure voters can make a decision based upon facts. A hearing before Sacramento Superior Court Judge Timothy Frawley is scheduled for Friday August 10 at 10:30 am (720 9th Street, Sacramento, CA).

In a political fight, the truth is often the first casualty, and Proposition 34 proponents are playing the worst kind of political game in their effort to endanger California by repealing the Death Penalty, Carl Adams, President of California District Attorneys Association said. Every major law enforcement organization in California opposes Prop 34, and we want to be sure voters can make a decision based upon facts.

Prop 34 advocates claim that the initiative ensures that murderers will spend the rest of their lives in jail with, no hope of ever getting out. This is false because Prop 34 does not restrict a Governors power to grant clemency. The Governor can still exercise this authority, as former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger infamously did on his last day in office. Well, hello! I mean, of course you help a friend, Newsweek magazine quoted Schwarzenegger explaining why he reduced the 16-year sentence Esteban Nunez had received for the killing of a college student to a mere 7 years.

Prop 34 proponents also claim the measure, Makes convicted killers work and pay into the victims compensation fund as ordered by a judge. But this is not new existing law already requires inmates to work and pay restitution, and the work requirement can be satisfied by going to classes or participating in drug rehabilitation programs. This is nothing more than a blatant attempt to fool voters into thinking they are adding some additional get tough requirements for inmates, when these requirements are already in the law, Keith Royal, President of the California State Sheriffs Association said.

The ballot arguments in favor of Proposition 34 also claim that, 34 saves tax dollars and directs $100 million in savings for more DNA testing, crime labs and other tools that help cops solve rapes and murders. But former California Finance Director Mike Genest said, Proponents claims that the money comes from alleged savings are false. Proposition 34 takes $100 million from Californias General Fund whether or not there are any savings, and eliminating the Death Penalty will cost taxpayers millions more annually by guaranteeing murderers lifetime healthcare benefits and housing.

For more information, please visit www.waitingforjustice.net

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