Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Politics

Crist plans to continue executions

JACKSONVILLE - Gov.-elect Charlie Crist expects to continue signing death warrants at a similar pace to Gov. Jeb Bush, who signed the black-bordered documents resulting in 20 executions, the most of any governor since the state resumed capital punishment in 1979.

"I support the death penalty," said Crist, who earned the moniker "Chain Gang Charlie" for his support of inmate chain gangs while in the Legislature. "It's a solemn task, but I believe in it, so I will sign them and review that process as the transition moves forward."

Crist said he will be as deliberative as his predecessor.

"It all depends on the cases that come up," he said. "I'll carry out the law, but it is a very solemn task."

In his eight years in office, Bush averaged 2.5 executions per year and saw the state move from the electric chair, beset by constitutional challenges, to lethal injection, now under scrutiny for the chemicals used in the process and their proper dosages.

[Last modified December 11, 2006, 00:24:42]