KTLA News: "Jerry Brown reacts to State Assembly overriding his veto on death penalty bill" (1977)
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Description:
The KTLA newsfilm collection at the UCLA Film & Television Archive consists of cut and unedited stories, outtakes and fill footage, originally shot on 16mm reversal film stock with magnetic soundtrack. Some footage, particularly material not used for broadcast, may be without sound.
Title: “Jerry Brown reacts to State Assembly overriding his veto on death penalty bill.” Date: August 11, 1977.
Summary: In May of 1977, the California State Senate voted to pass a bill reinstating the death penalty in California. Governor Jerry Brown vetoed the bill, and in August 1977, the California State Assembly voted to override Brown’s veto. In this clip, Brown speaks with reporters and explains that while he personally opposes the death penalty, two thirds of the public wanted it reinstated, and that he will do his job as chief executive and uphold the law. Brown expresses his disappointment with the override, further stating that he believes society would be better off without the death penalty. Unrelated, Brown also briefly mentions a potential contract with NASA for developing joint programs for space research.
Learn more about this UCLA Film & Television Archive project: ucla.in/1SONCuw
© The Regents of the University of California
Complete Record: The KTLA newsfilm collection at the UCLA Film & Television Archive consists of cut and unedited stories, outtakes and fill footage, originally shot on 16mm reversal film stock with magnetic soundtrack. Some footage, particularly material not used for broadcast, may be without sound. Title: “Jerry Brown reacts to State Assembly overriding his veto on death penalty bill.” Date: August 11, 1977. Summary: In May of 1977, the California State Senate voted to pass a bill reinstating the death penalty in California. Governor Jerry Brown vetoed the bill, and in August 1977, the California State Assembly voted to override Brown’s veto. In this clip, Brown speaks with reporters and explains that while he personally opposes the death penalty, two thirds of the public wanted it reinstated, and that he will do his job as chief executive and uphold the law. Brown expresses his disappointment with the override, further stating that he believes society would be better off without the death penalty. Unrelated, Brown also briefly mentions a potential contract with NASA for developing joint programs for space research. Learn more about this UCLA Film & Television Archive project: ucla.in/1SONCuw © The Regents of the University of California
Transcription
Everybody clear on the other side? >> Well, I'll uphold the laws. It's written and I'll try to do my job as best I can. >> But will you be commuting any sentences? That was one of the debates up there up north today that >> I've always said consistently that if the law is on the books that uh I'll support it and I will >> people have spoken and obviously twothirds of the people want the death penalty. Twothirds of the legislature. I don't. But as long as I'm the chief executive, it's my job to carry out the law and I will. There's been some criticism that you did not lobby to prevent the override because you didn't want this involved in the election next year when you >> know that criticism is part of this process and it'll be on either side no matter what you do right [Music] >> governor. What's your reaction? >> Well, the legislature voted by a twothirds vote the first time. So, the override really doesn't surprise me. I hope the day will come when society will not try to use uh death as a punishment, but as long as I'm governor, I'll uphold the law if it's upheld by the courts. >> Are you disappointed? >> Uh yeah, I'm disappointed. I think that society does not need the death penalty, and I think we'd be better off without it, and someday we will. Are you saying that you will uphold the law, you will not commute sentences >> uh against the override and each legislator is an independent elected official with co-equal power and has his or her own conscience and constituency and arrives at the judgment that seems best and that's exactly what happened obviously for twoth3s of the people. >> Will you be speaking out against the death penalty evidence? Well, I I've spoken out before and obviously my views will be communicated as I as I can best make them. >> But doesn't this remove this uh debate about the death penalty from the gubanatorial race and other >> I I don't really know. >> On another subject, Governor, have you entered into any discussions with NASA concerning a California space satellite? >> We are discussing a contract which I hope to sign very soon for joint uh programs of developing space research for California. I see tremendous potential. >> Okay. >> Sorry to keep you waiting. >> Governor, one other question. Uh we all right. >> That's what we want.
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