Editorial: Should life sentences be abolished?

A 77-year-old who killed a cop 43 years ago will be released on parole

By Walt Zlotow
Chicago Sun-Times

CHICAGO — Forget the death penalty, which is nearly a dead letter already.

The impending parole of 77-year-old Henry Michael Gargano after 43 years in federal prison for murdering Northlake policemen John Nagel and Anthony Sperri should spur a serious examination of the need to abolish life sentences. The U.S. Parole Commission has set Gargano's release for Sept. 3, citing his model behavior over the past 10 years, advanced age, poor health and little likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior. Opponents of Gargano's release include Officer Nagle's son, the deputy Northlake police chief and 6,000 supporters who signed petitions.

Gargano's incarceration has achieved the primary purpose of severe sentencing: removal of a violent monster from further opportunity to prey on society.

But needless continued imprisonment of hollow shells of one-time offenders should not be held hostage to relatives, colleagues or friends of victims decades later. If you asked what would really quench their thirst for justice, most might want to get the offender alone in a room and rip him apart. While that is understandable, it is not within the scope of the criminal justice system to authorize.

The lifelong warehousing of physically and mentally broken down old men shouldn't be as well.

Copyright © 2012 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.    Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy

Copyright 2010 Chicago Sun-Times, Inc.