A man who waited on Missouri’s death row for nearly 18 years has a unique perspective on the death penalty. After years of appeals, the State Supreme Court finally agreed this week with Joseph Amrine’s contention that he did not kill Gary Barber in October of 1985. Amrine could go free unless local prosecutors re-file murder charges. Amrine believes the death penalty is not a deterrant to crime, as demonstrated by the murder rate rising since capital punishment was re-instated. Amrine says too many survivors of murder victims believe they are getting justice for their lost loved ones when a murderer is execution.
