I never understood why it takes California so long to get its condemned executed. I think we should be using Texas’ system, which appears to shave 15 or 20 years of appeals off the time needed to go from court to death chamber.

Now California is adding a new delaying tactic, one that I understand even less than the time delay. Heaven forbid that the condemned feel any pain at their execution!
There is no doubt that Michael Morales committed the crime. Did he have any regard for the pain inflicted on his victim as he hit her more than 20 times with a hammer after a failed strangling attempt but before he raped and stabbed her?