Wisconsin

Even after her father's murder, she opposes the death penalty

By ALETA RECKLING CHOSSEK

May 13, 2006

In December 1994, a 70-year-old man was brutally beaten to death in his

place of business by a convicted felon.

At the time of his death, this father of five and grandfather of 10 served

as president of the Lutheran congregation to which he had belonged for more

than 50 years.

He also served on the Metro Chicago synod council of the Evangelical

Lutheran Church in America and was known in his community as a kind and

generous man.

Hundreds came to his funeral. His family was heartbroken that this gentle

man should die in such violence.

That man was my father.

Two years later, his assailant, James Edwards, was brought to trial for

first degree homicide in Lake County, Illinois. At the time of the murder,

the assailant was on parole for a previous murder.

After his trial in Illinois, he was extradited to another state for yet

another murder trial. The state's attorney in the case recommended the death

penalty. At the time, Illinois had that option.

I offer my perspective as a family member of one who was murdered. The death

penalty option brought no peace, no closure to our family.

Murder brings out primitive emotions in families. In addition to the grief,

there is the natural desire for closure, retribution, justice and,

ultimately, peace.

The whole family, even the youngest grandchildren, live with the legacy of

that terrible death.

My four siblings and I were encouraged by the politically ambitious state's

attorney to support the death penalty.

We could not come to consensus. This issue put additional stress on an

already devastating time for us.

There are many reasons I oppose the death penalty - some emotional, some

practical. But primarily, I oppose the death penalty because it perpetuates

a cycle of violence that God sought to end.

On Tuesday, the Wisconsin State Senate will vote on Senate Joint Resolution

5 as revised by the state Assembly, which calls for a November advisory

referendum on reinstatement of the death penalty in Wisconsin. Compromise is

apparently needed because the proposed wording on the resolution was

different in each body, although both chambers support the concept of DNA

evidence being required.

Our state has not had the death penalty since 1854.

I write from my perspective as a Christian. Christians profess that Jesus

took all sin upon him in his death. Yet we flawed humans seek to answer

death with death.

Does that not diminish Christ's suffering on our behalf?

I believe that God has taken care of my sin, my father's sin and the

murderer's sin. No act of man can make God's sacrifice more complete.

So please tell your state legislators that you oppose the death penalty and

oppose an advisory referendum.

A referendum is not a suitable vehicle for honoring people's experiences and

beliefs about death and justice.

I believe that in this fear-driven society, we are too polarized to respond

thoughtfully to such a spiritual and emotion laden issue.

In my family's case, the death penalty portion of the trial ended with a

sentence of life in prison with no option of parole. That offers the comfort

that no other family will suffer as a result of this man's evil spirit.

The jury was swayed by the defense, who appealed to their mercy and the

mercy that was part of my father's life.

Can we who believe show less mercy than our God who redeems us?

In respect for my father and all those who die in an unending cycle of

violence, I urge you to speak out against the death penalty.

Aleta Reckling Chossek of Shorewood is assistant to the bishop of the

Greater Milwaukee Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Online

www.jsonline.com

Original Story URL:

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=423447

May 14, 2006