Proposition 66 will bring much-needed changes; vote ‘yes’
I am the mother of John Riggins. John and Sabrina Gonsalves were murdered in December 1980.
The murderer was sentenced to the death penalty in 2013. He destroyed the lives of our son and Sabrina Gonsalves. Having kidnapped them, he left them to die in a ditch after slitting their throats. The fear and suffering they endured continues to haunt us.
This man was released from prison in the summer of 1980; in December 1980 he murdered Sabrina and John.
His death penalty punishment was the appropriate decision by the jury and judge. This murderer is a very evil man.
It is important to keep the death penalty as an option for law enforcement. Imprisonment for life without parole is not what the murderer of John and Sabrina deserves. Those sentenced to imprisonment without parole have a life less restrictive than the individuals who are sentenced for capital punishment.
Proposition 66 will include changes in prison and speed up the present system to review capital cases. Law enforcement and those in the courts realized the present system needs some changes. Proposition 66 will make those changes.
As a parent and victim I ask you to mark Yes on 66!
Kate Riggins, Pismo Beach
This story was originally published September 13, 2016 at 8:47 PM with the headline "Proposition 66 will bring much-needed changes; vote ‘yes’."