A bill draft that would ban the death penalty in Montana is now on the table. Republican Representative David Moore of Missoula is sponsoring House Bill 370 and says the death penalty costs too much, and perhaps life in prison is a harsh enough penalty.
“Probably the worst thing would be life imprisonment without the chance of parole. To be locked in a cage. If we did away with the death penalty, there would be more money in the judicial system for victim help.”
Opponents to previous bills to end the death penalty have argued that it's necessary to ensure someone doesn’t escape or are released early. When asked about this fear, Moore says there is no good answer.
“It’s a difficult issue, and I just said I’d carry the bill and introduce it and let each side explain their issues and let the committee decide.”
This bill will brought to the Judiciary Committee once it receives a hearing date.
