State Senator Who Pushed for Truth in Sentencing Laws Blasts Governor's Decision to Shield Killer from Death Penalty

Former State Senator Lou Raptakis and Coventry business owner, who pushed for tough crime sentencing laws in Rhode Island as a legislator, is blasting Governor Lincoln Chafee’s decision not to hand over the suspect in a September 2010 robbery-murder in Woonsocket to the federal government to protect him from federal charges which carry the death penalty.  

Raptakis said Chafee’s decision leaves Rhode Island taxpayers on the hook for the trial of Jason Pleau and his incarceration for life, while at the same time setting a precedent that could ultimately cost the state millions of dollars.  

“It is one thing to be opposed to the death penalty, but blocking federal law enforcement officials from pursuing their charges against this suspect is bad policy and fiscally irresponsible,” said Raptakis.  “It undermines our state’s relationship with federal law enforcement agencies and, despite the Governor’s protestations to the contrary, it most certainly prevents the man who committed this terrible crime from being punished to the full extent of the law.”

Raptakis added, “By taking federal charges off the table, Governor Chafee is sending a message that in Rhode Island, his administration will protect criminals from facing federal death penalty charges. It is absolutely reckless and irresponsible for the Governor to adopt this position.”

While Chafee suggested that a transfer to federal custody would potentially expose Pleau to the death penalty, Raptakis said the Governor’s position fails to recognize the fate of the last high-profile criminals in Rhode Island who were prosecuted by the federal government and could have faced the death penalty.  In the case of the car-jacking murders of Amy Shute and Jason Burgeson in June of 2000, none of the defendants prosecuted by the federal government received the death penalty. Four reached plea deals and one was sentenced to life without parole.