FLORIDA: Bush Hears From Citizens on Death Penalty

  Gov. Jeb Bush defended his position on capital punishment and denied accusations of an anti-death penalty group Tuesday that he was using "victims' pain for political gain."

 Bush and Lt. Gov. Frank Brogan held individual 5-minute meetings with about 75 area residents at Lake City Community College in this north Florida city. The topics ranged from problems with the Department of Children & Families to education issues and an author who presented a copy of his book on Coral Castle to Bush.

 Bush has held several open office sessions around Florida, including meetings in Bunnell, Yulee and Perry.

 "A lot of people have problems in their life and they count on the government to help," Bush said. "I love listening and I love helping people. There is a group of people we are going to be able to help."

 Abe Bonowitz, director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, and SueZann Bosler, whose father was fatally stabbed, visited with the governor for about 18 minutes.

 Bosler, whose pastor father was murdered in 1986 in South Florida, opposes the death penalty and worked to help get her father's killer a life sentence.

 She said it was painful when the governor invoked the rights of victims when signing death warrants.

 "Please don't use victims' pain for political gain," she said.

 The governor said he did not do that, although he strongly supports the death penalty.

 "It is the law of the land. I have a duty to uphold the law," Bush said.

 Bonowitz suggested Florida impose a moratorium on executions, mentioning the 24 people removed from death row by court opinions.

 "On the death warrants I've signed, I have absolutely no doubt that the people were guilty," Bush said.

 "I am a devout Catholic," the governor said. "I am at peace with my position."