CAPITAL PUNISHMENT ISN'T FOR MAKING EXAMPLES...

[alfredr]

I saw this bumper sticker about two weeks ago and had to think a while about it before posting it.

"CAPITAL PUNISHMENT ISN'T FOR MAKING EXAMPLES, IT'S FOR MAKING BAD PEOPLE DEAD"

Or is it for vengance? Or is it for political posturing?

In Atlanta right now, there is a death-penalty-elegible case where the facts are clear; the man killed four people (including a judge) in escaping from custody on his way to court. I haven't heard anything on this since the weekend, but he was reported as being willing to plead guilty and be sentenced to life without parole. Families of two of the victims were reported as being agreeable to that deal, one was opposed and one hadn't said. The prosecutor was opposed and wanted to go for the death penalty.

At the same time, there are questions about paying the cost of the defense (public defender) estimated at 1.2 to 2 million dollars.

How would justice best be served?

[alfredr]

I saw this bumper sticker about two weeks ago and had to think a while about it before posting it.

"CAPITAL PUNISHMENT ISN'T FOR MAKING EXAMPLES, IT'S FOR MAKING BAD PEOPLE DEAD"

Or is it for vengance? Or is it for political posturing?

In Atlanta right now, there is a death-penalty-elegible case where the facts are clear; the man killed four people (including a judge) in escaping from custody on his way to court. I haven't heard anything on this since the weekend, but he was reported as being willing to plead guilty and be sentenced to life without parole. Families of two of the victims were reported as being agreeable to that deal, one was opposed and one hadn't said. The prosecutor was opposed and wanted to go for the death penalty.

At the same time, there are questions about paying the cost of the defense (public defender) estimated at 1.2 to 2 million dollars.

How would justice best be served?

[Nude in the North]

quote:

How would justice best be served?

By Paying "Public Defenders" A lot LESS!

Steve

[shaneone]

Let me see, life in prison (still alive) or lethal injection? Who wouldn't accept that deal.

Longterm how much will it cost the tax-payer to keep this guy locked up in his own cell, with his own tv and three square meals a day? I saw somewhere else that they estimate $72,000 per year, 30 years = $2.16million. The injection is more economically sensible, and it guarantees this guy definitely wouldn't make parole!

[sw1sweendog]

one bullet is even cheaper, hell i'll give them one of mine........... free!!

[Fettler]

You may be able to argue that some people deserve the death penalty becuase they are 'bad' people, or on the justification of economics, (if we are talking about saving money then why not just euthenise all the old folk. that would save lots... if thats what's important to you.)

However, what about all the people on death row that have huge questions hanging over the validity of thier convictions ?

The guy who had a drunk attorney for instance, or how about the chap who was supposed to have climbed up the side of a building despite having an injured hand ?

What about the gang leader executed recently who had reformed to the point where he was actually helping society reducing gang crime in his city ?

There was a guy who managed to turn up evidence that *unequivocally* proved his innocence, but the judge said that the process had been gone through, so tough...

These people may be a small number of cases on death row, (but then doesn't the US second only to China in the number of executions of it's citizens ?)

How many innocent folk should be allowed to die to ensure 'justice' (or should that be vengance...)

And perhaps sw1sweendog would like to volunteer to be one of those innocents to die in the name of so called justice.

He could even provide his own bullet...

[alfredr]

Remember, we are paying for the prosecution also, and that will probably cost at least as much as the defense.

[usmc1]

When you cede to the state the right to decide who lives and who dies and for what reasons you have lost all power over the state.

Two negatives do not create a positive.

There are too many instances of people scheduled for death after "due process" who are exonerated by new evidence, or someone else's confirmed confession.

The death penalty is applied unevenly and capriciously.

If life is precious and killing is wrong then state sanctioned killing is also wrong?

Vengence and revenge are some of the most base and futile of all human emotional responses.

The death penalty reduces our humanity, civilization and is an incredibly soul wrenching experience for virtually all of those who are left to actually impose it.

Just a middling of all the reasons why the death penalty is wrong and its supporters misguided and uninformed.

[naturalmanwa]

Obviously, there are exceptions to every rule. If the guilt is clear, as in many cases, then make sure the SOB doesn't get out on a technicality and do it again!!

[nudeM]

As an example, a convicted murderer (third strike) gets the death sentence, but then gets a life sentence without the possibility of parole upon appeal; what does that say?

Here in California, this is becoming all to familiar. I believe capitol punishment, in this example, is in order. It is also in this example why our prisons are becoming overcrowded with inmates waiting for appeals, while getting their furnished meals, medical, housing, all at OUR expense.

[Naturist Mark]

quote:

It is also in this example why our prisons are becoming overcrowded

No it isn't. The number of prisoners on death row, waiting for appeals or not, is a tiny percentage of the total.

Our prisons are overcrowded because of mandatory sentence guidelines and the failed war on drugs. Violent offenders are routinely released early because of the deluge of non violent drug offenders serving long mandatory sentences.

-Mark

[Richard Smith]

I live in the UK as as you know we don't have the death penalty. I believe that we should. Even if it isn't frequently carried out the threat of being sentenced to death for certain crimes would surely, to some people, act as a deterrent. It would only take a few, 100% certain, examples of the death penalty being enforced in the UK for a reduction in serious crimes. This reduction may only be minimal, but its better than nothing!

The entire correction system in most western countries is much too lenient. "Bad" people should certainly be punished much more severely then at present and some should be given the death sentence.

[Naturist Mark]

quote:

Even if it isn't frequently carried out the threat of being sentenced to death for certain crimes would surely, to some people, act as a deterrent.

It has been proven over and over again that it doesn't.

What does work is the belief they will be caught.

-Mark

[brainyguy9999]

Just because you sentence someone to death doesn't mean that they cart them away to the death chamber and execute them immediately. (China is a different story)

Once someone is sentenced to death, there are years (sometimes decades) of appeals before the sentence is carried out. During that time they spend a lot of money on the legal battle (both defense and prosecution). And, the more charges against them, the longer they can drag it out. But they also get 3 squares, medical care, and all the other luxuries we've heard about while they fight those battles.

A sentence of life in prison doesn't mean that they won't file appeal after appeal as well. But, they might not spend quite so much money if they don't have a death sentence hanging over their head.

The initial judgment and sentence is just the first step in years of taxpayer payouts. Unless, of course, they are acquitted...

I'd like to see a comparison of how much is spent on the average death row inmate that includes day-to-day expenses as well as legal expenses laid out next to a 'lifer's expenses. I'd bet they are similar.

Stay nude.

bg

[shaneone]

I'm just going to add a little more fuel to this fire:

Not just capital punishment, but corporal punishment!

What if, like many years ago, on the Isle of Man I believe, people were lashed with birch rods for less serious crimes such as burglary! They had one of the lowest crime rates of anywhere. Teaching criminals that they will pay with a physical punishment for the first offence and prison thereafter.

My other big bug-bear is prisoners complaining that their civil liberties have been affected. No **** Sherlock, you are locked up for committing crime, possibly many counts! What do they want, 5 star luxury spa breaks!! Hard labour and a sentence that fits the crime. Not the revolving door mentality of letting serious criminals out early because there is a shoplifter coming in!!

A final thought (not from personal experience): If one of your own family members was murdered, would you be happy if the (proven unequivocally) guilty party was given a 15 year sentence, but got out in 5 for good behaviour? Would justice have been served? Would 5 years of this persons life be enough reciprocation for the cutting short of an innocent persons life and the negative effects on all of their family too?

If you can't do the time, don't do the crime!