Updates, Part Deux

In my haste to put together my last post, I forgot these updates:

Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala recently announced that his office will seek the death penalty for the brutal killing of three police officers allegedly caused by Richard Poplawski. Poplawski, who was reportedly on suicide watch in prison, has been recently transferred to another area of the prison, but wisely has not been moved with the general population, where I suspect he might likely have a close encounter with a shiv.

I think a careful examination of the case is warranted to determine if the death penalty is appropriate. I know many people are opposed to the death penalty. My opinion is that in certain instances, it is appropriate: when there is clear and compelling evidence that the person on trial is the person who murdered; when the crime was pre-meditated, when the crime is particularly brutal, and when the victim is particularly vulnerable, such as a child.

There seems to be little doubt that Poplawski did the shooting. It also appears that the act was premeditated, as evidenced by his donning a Kevlar vest. And while it is possible that Poplawski could have had a diagnosed or undiagnosed history of mental health issues (such as depression), currently there is no evidence to suggest that he was insane at the time of the shootings. It remains to be seen if Poplawski expresses remorse, or states his apologies to the families of the victims. Based on the statements of his friends and his public statements (via web postings), this doesn’t seem likely.

Another court-related matter was the failure of the State House bill limiting the use of cell phones while driving. The Bill was narrowly defeated, and the House compromise the State House came up with is giving State Troopers the right to fine those individuals Troopers witness driving in an unsafe manner while talking on a cell phone.

I shouldn’t have been surprised that the right-leaning panelists on “Off Q” were against the bill and limiting the use of cell phones – but I was. Professional political consultant Bill Green suggested that instead of regulating this, we ask drivers to “exercise some common sense.” Bill, I hate to break it to you, but if drivers were exercising common sense, we wouldn’t have legislators introducing bills like this.

I’ll reiterate my original statement and say that I am against all use of cell phones while driving, but understand that this is a rather extreme position and would support a bill (like the one that was just defeated) limiting cell phone use to the hands-free kind. It has nothing to do with taking away people’s rights, or trying to play Big Brother, it has to do with providing a safe driving experience for all. I wish people could exercise common sense and not talk on the phone, eat, put on mascara, etc. while driving, but people can’t. So while I’m not thrilled with the State House compromise, maybe hitting drivers with a fine will be a step in the right direction.