Death row inmates are cruel individuals

In The Tribune’s article written by The Sacramento Bee’s Jon Ortiz (“Future is surprisingly uncertain on San Quentin’s death row”), one could develop great sympathy for the individuals sentenced to San Quentin’s death row. Mentioned is Richard Hirschfield, who brutally murdered Sabrina Gonsalves and my son John Riggins. I feel I am qualified to present another side of this death sentence discussion.

If Hirschfield had been sentenced to life without parole, he would be in the general prison population. His sentence to a “death row” cell with limited activity gives me satisfaction knowing our criminal justice system did work with trial and jury.

The trial of Richard Hirschfield is well documented on the Internet. The Sacramento Bee reporter Andy Furillo wrote extensively about what took place during the trial in Sacramento in 2012 and 2013. Hirschfield’s earlier criminal activity has been accurately described by Joel Davis in “Justice Waits.” The book is available from the San Luis Obispo library, Amazon or Joel Davis at joel_waits81@yahoo.com.

Don’t be fooled about these criminals on death row. They are very cruel individuals. Do they deserve the ultimate punishment? Yes!

Executing Richard Hirschfield will fill the state’s ancient duty to my son John and Sabrina, and Hirschfield can no longer be a deadly threat to others.

This story was originally published January 29, 2016 at 7:57 PM with the headline "Death row inmates are cruel individuals."