State’s Attorney Chambers: death penalty ‘going a little far’ for drug crimes

Posted on March 25, 2018

McLean County State’s Attorney Jason Chambers said the justice system has higher priorities than to impose the death penalty for certain drug offenses. Chambers’ focus is on punishing child molesters. He considers sex crimes against the children just a step below murder. (WJBC file photo)

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – McLean County’s chief prosecutor is not on board with President Trump’s idea to impose the death penalty for certain drug crimes.

However, State’s Attorney Jason Chambers said he backs long prison terms for drug dealers who make a “conscious effort” to harm the community.

“Death penalty? I think that’s going a little far when we start looking at the scale of things,” Chambers told WJBC’s Sam Wood.

“One of my focuses has been child sex crimes, things like that. To me, that’s a higher priority if we’re talking about punishment,” Chambers said.

Chambers’ comments come as U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions sent a reminder to federal prosecutors they have the power to seek the ultimate punishment for some drug-related crimes.

Chambers said he believes establishing harsher penalties for child molesters is a higher priority. Chambers considers sex crimes against children a step below murder for the most serious crimes.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].

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