Father of first missing girl on the internet criticizes Newsom for stopping death penalty.
OAN’s Brooke Mallory
2:24 PM – Sunday, October 8, 2023
The father of Polly Klaas, a young girl who vanished from a sleepover in 1993 and later became known as the “first missing girl on the internet,” recently called California Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom “a pig” for abolishing the death penalty in his state in 2019.
When Polly, who was 12-years-old at the time, was abducted from a sleepover at knifepoint and later strangled and killed, Richard Allen Davis, who is currently incarcerated in San Quentin State Prison, was found guilty and given the death penalty.
The abduction took place in Petaluma, California.
“Newsom is a pig,” said Marc Klaas, who runs a nonprofit for parents and victims of crimes against children. “In 2019, he declared a death penalty moratorium in California. He told me, among other things, that he didn’t want to be the governor who executes an innocent person.”
No one in California will be put to death through the justice system while Newsom is governor, thanks to his moratorium on executions.
The decree, according to Klaas, shows “advocacy for the worst and most dangerous people in our society.”
737 criminals were reportedly on California’s death row when Newsom declared the moratorium in March 2019.
“The intentional killing of another person is wrong and, as governor, I will not oversee the execution of any individual,” Newsom said in a statement. “Our death penalty system has been, by all measures, a failure.
“It has discriminated against defendants who are mentally ill, black and brown or can’t afford expensive legal representation. It has provided no public safety benefit or value as a deterrent. It has wasted billions of taxpayer dollars. Most of all, the death penalty is absolute. It’s irreversible and irreparable in the event of human error,” he continued.
In 1993, when computers were just starting to gain popularity, Polly Klaas’ disappearance garnered national attention in newspapers and on television. It also gained notoriety as the first prominent missing persons case to be discussed online.
The emergence of the internet and social media, according to Marc Klaas, “changed the way that the public and law enforcement approach missing kids.”
“For example, when we distributed Polly’s missing flyer, we acquired a mailing list, spent $15,000 on stamps, printed thousands of flyers, put them in envelopes and took them to the post office,” the victim’s father said. “The flyers began arriving about a week after we started the process. Now, you can create a missing child [Facebook] page, fill it with pictures and videos, link articles, television reports, testimonials and law enforcement contact information. This process costs nothing and can be regularly updated.”
As an illustration of how the internet may be helpful in disseminating information about a missing child’s case, Klaas cited Gabby Petito’s disappearance in 2021.
He also highlighted the discovery of 9-year-old Charlotte Sena, who was recently abducted on a camping trip in upstate New York, before she was discovered safe.
It “was a great combination of law enforcement response and a little bit of luck,” Klaas said.
“Because of law enforcement’s quick and professional response, they were quickly able to identify and arrest the suspect through fingerprint technology,” Klaas continued. “The public also immediately picked up on this case as it spread like wildfire through traditional and social media.
“I believe, based on nothing more than my experience, that this was probably a crime of opportunity in that he was laying in wait but did not have a specific target. It also looks like this was probably a kidnapping for ransom, which is rare with these kinds of crimes.”
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What reasons did Marc Klaas give for criticizing Governor Newsom’s decision to abolish the death penalty?
The Father of Murder Victim Polly Klaas Criticizes California Governor for Abolishing Death Penalty
In a recent statement, Marc Klaas, the father of Polly Klaas who was famously abducted and killed in 1993, expressed his strong disapproval of California Governor Gavin Newsom for abolishing the death penalty in the state in 2019. According to Klaas, he referred to the Governor as “a pig” for his decision.
Polly Klaas, who was 12 years old at the time, was abducted from a sleepover in Petaluma, California. She was taken at knifepoint, later strangled, and ultimately lost her life due to this heinous act. The perpetrator, Richard Allen Davis, was convicted and given the death penalty for his crimes. He is currently incarcerated in San Quentin State Prison.
Marc Klaas, who runs a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting parents and victims of crimes against children, openly criticized Governor Newsom for his stance on the death penalty. Klaas shared that Newsom had declared a moratorium on the death penalty, stating that he did not want to be the governor who executed an innocent person.
This controversial decision by Governor Newsom has led to a significant divide in public opinion. While some argue that the death penalty should be abolished due to concerns over wrongful convictions, others believe that it serves as an appropriate punishment for acts as heinous as Polly Klaas’ murder.
The case of Polly Klaas, which gained national attention and was one of the first instances of a missing person case being widely publicized through the internet, played a pivotal role in shaping the criminal justice system. It fueled conversations about child safety, led to the creation of new laws, and highlighted the need for stronger measures to protect children.
Marc Klaas, who has dedicated his life to advocating for victims and their families, continues to speak out about his daughter’s tragic fate and the importance of holding criminals accountable for their actions. He has been actively involved in raising awareness about child safety and working towards preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The discussion around the death penalty is a complex and divisive one, with varying viewpoints and arguments on both sides. Governor Newsom’s decision to abolish the death penalty in California is one that continues to stir debate and ignite passionate responses. However, it is important to recognize the pain and loss endured by victims’ families, like the Klaas family, and to understand their perspective as they seek justice for their loved ones.
As the debate over the death penalty in California and across the country continues, it is crucial to engage in thoughtful and respectful conversations that consider the perspectives of all those affected by these criminal acts. Only through open dialogue and understanding can we hope to find the most effective and just solutions in our pursuit of a safer society.
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