Statement from ACLU Executive Director Nathan Woodliff-Stanley on DA Brauchler’s Decision to End Death Penalty Pursuit in Montour Trial

“The American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado is encouraged by 18^th Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler’s decision to end his lengthy and expensive pursuit of the death penalty in the trial of Edward Montour.
“We also recognize the courage of Robert Autobee, who spoke out against the deep flaws in Colorado’s death penalty from a unique and extremely personal perspective.  Thankfully, Robert Autobee and his family will now be afforded the closure they have sought for more than a decade.
“The death penalty is expensive to pursue, it does not deter crime or make us safer, and every execution props up an unequal system that can and does make mistakes including the execution of innocent people.  Had this plea of life without parole been accepted when first proposed years ago, the taxpayer dollars that were lost could have been spent on priorities that actually make us safer and prevent violent crime, like updating corrections facilities, providing better law enforcement and corrections training, and improving mental health treatment in Colorado.”