THAT'S DEBATABLE:Focus on delays

A recent study showed that California's method of lethal injection does not reliably produce a painless death for inmates. Researchers say some inmates suffocate and are conscious enough to realize it. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and state Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown want to recommend reforms for executions by May 15. How do you think the state's death penalty should be reformed, if at all?

I believe that capital punishment is an appropriate form of punishment in an organized society with rule of law and a system of orderly appeals to ensure justice. However, any form of capital punishment, including lethal injection, must pass constitutional muster. As our understanding of medicine and human physiology has advanced, so too has our understanding of what inflicting "cruel and unusual punishments" might entail. I am for careful use of the death penalty. If we need to update our lethal injection process to keep it constitutional, then we should do so.

CHUCK DEVORE

ASSEMBLYMAN (R-NEWPORT BEACH)

The death penalty is reserved for the most heinous — those who murder multiple people, who torture their victims, who kill while committing felony rape or kidnapping.

In 1977 the Legislature restored the death penalty — an act strengthened by a voter-approved referendum in 1978. Since then, the death penalty has been carried out only 13 times in California. On average, it takes 17 years from conviction to execution in California. It is this aspect of the system — the unacceptable time-consuming delays — that is most in need of repair, not the misplaced concern about whether or not a condemned killer "might" feel pain when the death penalty is administered.

The Legislature needs to reassess the state's current approach, pinpoint its shortcomings and recommit to addressing the backlog problem. Only then should we concern ourselves with making sure these killers are administered a peaceful and painless death. After all, that is certainly something each of them denied their victims in their final hours.

TOM HARMAN

SENATOR (R-HUNTINGTON BEACH)

I am a firm supporter of the death penalty, which should be administered in an appropriate manner consistent with constitutional protections. With regard to the broader question of death penalty reform, I believe we need major work in the judicial process. Oftentimes, convicts spend over 25 years on death row. Appeals must be consolidated to resolve these cases in a much quicker timeframe.

VAN TRAN

ASSEMBLYMAN (R-COSTA MESA)