Hold accountable those responsible for state drug lab crisis
Those running against Attorney General Martha Coakley say a proposed sentence for rogue state drug lab chemist Annie Dookhan isn't harsh enough. Prosecutors urged a judge to sentence Dookhan to up to seven years in prison if she pleads guilty in a
drug-testing lab scandal that jeopardized thousands of criminal convictions and cost the state millions. Dookhan is charged with tampering with evidence, obstruction of justice and perjury for allegedly faking tests at a now-closed state lab.
In a written statement, Republican Charlie Baker, who is running against Coakley, said: "The Charlie Baker is a serious public safety crisis still affecting our communities and it is imperative everyone responsible is held accountable to the
fullest extent."
Coakley's office released the following statement: "Our office's investigation first uncovered the full scope of Annie Dookhan's crimes and brought them to the public's attention. We have recommended a significant sentence."
All five Democratic candidates for governor say Dzhokhar Tsarnaev shouldn't face the death penalty for his alleged role in the Boston Marathon bombing. Federal prosecutors last week announced they would seek the penalty against the 20-year-old Tsarnaev,
accusing him of betraying his adopted country by ruthlessly carrying out a terrorist attack calculated to cause maximum carnage.
During a video debate Wednesday on The Boston Globe's website, Boston.com, they were asked: "should
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev face the death penalty?" All five--Donald Berwick, Martha Coakley, Joseph Avellone, Juliette Kayyem and Steve Grossman--answered "no."
Republican candidate for governor
Charlie Baker said Tuesday that he supports the decision to seek the death penalty against Tsarnaev. The question has put some death penalty opponents in an awkward position given the high-profile nature of the crime.
2010: charge state prisoners $5 a day for their room & board
In a big shift from 2010, Baker is mostly soft pedaling some traditional MA GOP attack lines (at least for now), such as "Getting tough on criminals":
2010: Advocated restoring the death penalty in Massachusetts
Favored a plan to charge prisoners $5 a day for their room and board
Called for posting on the Internet the names and addresses of more sex offender convicts than covered by current law
2014: Still supports the death penalty, but says that passing a state death penalty law
is not anywhere on his Top 5 or even Top 10 priority list for public safety
Favors the death penalty charge against Marathon Bomber suspect (which all 5 Dems. opposed)
Account for criminal history in dangerousness hearing
We've made progress on criminal justice. But our work here is not done. In deciding whether or not it makes sense to hold a dangerousness hearing, current law requires a judge to ignore any previous criminal history and to focus only on the crime before
the court. Moreover, the list of crimes for which a prosecutor is allowed to make that request is quite narrow. Too often, dangerous career criminals are arrested only to be released as soon as they appear in court. This sort of revolving door serves to
undermine people's faith in law enforcement and the courts. And it's a threat to public safety.
Nobody wants to see someone's life ruined over a small-time lapse in judgment. But, we still need a common sense approach that provides the system with the
ability to schedule a dangerousness hearing when individuals with violent histories come before the court. We owe it to law enforcement and to our citizens to ensure that we're doing all we can to keep dangerous people off of our streets.
Passed one of the most comprehensive police reform laws
The horrific murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis brought the issue of systemic racism to the forefront of our national dialogue. We acted and passed one of the most comprehensive police reform laws in the country. The new law bans chokeholds,
limits no-knock warrants, and creates a new independent state entity with the power to establish policing standards, certify law enforcement officers, investigate allegations of misconduct, and suspend or revoke certification.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Massachusetts legislature
, Jan 26, 2021
Reform police based on racial equity
S.2963: An Act Relative to Justice, Equity and Accountability in Law Enforcement in the Commonwealth.
Summary by NBC TV-10 Boston, December 31, 2020: Notable components of the bill include a ban against the use of chokeholds and a call
for a task force on body cameras. Sen. Sonia Chang-D�az said, "The law will create the first civilian-led police oversight board with subpoena power; it will limit no-knock warrants; it will create a duty to de-escalate for police officers; it will
ban racial profiling." The proposal had received some pushback from police unions, but the State Police Association of Massachusetts recognized the importance of the legislation. Some activists have said the bill does not go far enough by not doing away
with qualified immunity entirely.
Legislative Outcome:Passed House 91-67-2 on Dec/1/20; Passed Senate 31-9-0 on Dec/21/20; Signed by Governor Charlie Baker on Dec/31/20.
S.2963: An Act Relative to Justice, Equity and Accountability in Law Enforcement in the Commonwealth.
Summary by NBC TV-10 Boston, December 31, 2020: Notable components of the bill include a ban against the use of chokeholds and a call
for a task force on body cameras. Sen. Sonia Chang-D�az said, "The law will create the first civilian-led police oversight board with subpoena power; it will limit no-knock warrants; it will create a duty to de-escalate for police officers; it will
ban racial profiling." The proposal had received some pushback from police unions, but the State Police Association of Massachusetts recognized the importance of the legislation. Some activists have said the bill does not go far enough by not doing away
with qualified immunity entirely.
Legislative Outcome:Passed House 91-67-2 on Dec/1/20; Passed Senate 31-9-0 on Dec/21/20; State Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz voted YES; Signed by Governor Charlie Baker on Dec/31/20.