Today in Canada’s Political History: Diefenbaker describes why he opposes the death penalty
John Diefenbaker opposed the death penalty most of his political career. His opposition to capital punishment was formed during his years as a defence lawyer in Saskatchewan. He represented clients facing capital charges on more than one occasion. And when he was PM, Dief often seemed to re-try entire cases in cabinet, looking for any reason to commute a death sentence.
On this date in 1966 he gave the reason for his opposition to hanging. “From my experience at the Bar I say that anyone who says an innocent man cannot go to the gallows is wrong, because I know differently,” Diefenbaker said. “It is a frightful thing when a man you believe to be innocent and whose attitude is, ‘Don’t worry about me, God will not allow it,’ walks to the gallows and months later the truth comes out.”is an accomplished public historian and award-winning journalist.
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