Did the DP geographical disparity hearings have the opposite effect?

Miranda, upon learning that prosecutors in New London had upgraded (upgraded – like it’s a good thing) charges against Craig Sadosky for the death of his girlfriend’s infant to capital felony, insightfully asked in her usual way if the death penalty geographical disparity hearings conducted in the Jesse Campbell case might have the opposite effect.

Instead of scrutiny on the application of the death penalty and particularly on the Waterbury prosecutor’s office, what if the hearings had the effect of gentle pressure being placed on other prosecutors in the State. What if they were questioned, in turn, why they did not seek the death penalty as often as John Connelly?

Certainly, if the death penalty were sought more frequently in other jurisdictions, the geographic challenge goes away. Let’s hope this is not the case.

In other DP news, Russell Peeler was officially sentenced to death today [most recent post here]. He might be the only man on CT’s death row to profess his innocence. The appeal will certainly be interesting, not least of all for the question the jury asked during deliberations. Details in the post linked above.