Death Penalty

jimmyjude · #11 (**permalink**) 04-01-2006, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoodGirl

Wondered if people wanted to talk about the death penalty?

I'm pretty concerned about the quick path to the lethal injection that is becoming more and more common in some of the states, especially Florida and Texas. I know that before when the average time between final sentencing and actual execution was about 12 years, that was perhaps a little on the long side in terms of appeal after appeal (unless there were truly legitimate new evidence), but it disturbs me that the timeframe is now so much shorter.

Are innocent people being put to death just because they don't have the money to get a decent attorney and their time for appeals is running out too quickly?

Sorry to say this, but it almost seems like a conveyer belt in a few states these days, and that disturbs me. Don't get me wrong -- I believe in punishment and deterrents, but it seems like it's out of whack.

Does anyone else have comments on this? BTW, I don't believe in the death penalty -- true life in prison (and not a very cushy prison) is my belief.

I am agains the death penalty.

But what are you talking about the "quick path"?

I think that if we HAVE to have this penalty is should only be applied in the most obvious cases where there is tons of evidence such as eyewitnesses, DNA etc.

for instance Scott Peterson shouldn't have been sentenced to death on the basis solely of circumstantial evidence.

Nor should Moussoui be sentenced to death as he didn't kill anyone.

justmythoughts · #12 (**permalink**) 04-01-2006, 07:15 PM

I think that if there is hard evidence, like DNA, that was previously stated, to PROVE that the person committed a murder or serious crime, then yes, the death penalty needs to be administered sooner than 12 years for sure. I'm not sure what would set a secure mandate, but 2-5 years seems solid. For those whose cases cannot be proven through DNA or just circumstantial evidence, I think then for those type of cases, then they should remain alive until proven otherwise. This is a seriously sticky situation...each case is so different from the next...from individual to individual...

jimmyjude · #13 (**permalink**) 04-12-2006, 01:44 PM

I am against the death penalty in all cases.

Even for mass murderers.

I am however; pragmatic. If the people support it, then it should only be applied in the most obvious cases.

For example, people like Scott Peterson shouldn't be put to death based solely on the scant circumstantial evidence that was shewn against him.

George O Well · #14 (**permalink**) 04-14-2006, 02:15 PM

"If the people support it, then it should only be applied in the most obvious cases."

>>>What if the people support it in ALL cases? Btw, what does "shewn" mean?

jimmyjude · #15 (**permalink**) 04-14-2006, 02:41 PM

In all cases? Do you mean like in the case of petty theft? Actually that is hyperbolic.

All cases? If people started to demand, and the government capitulated then I would have to consider some other options.

should have been shown.

TaWooK · #16 (**permalink**) 04-18-2006, 08:04 AM

I say if they find a person guilty of murder without a reanonable dought than that person should be taken out front and publicly executed in the most painful methods imaginable. nothing that would kill them quickly but slow and extremely painful. you may think this is terrible but imagine how many less killings there would be if the outcome of your actions was what nightmares were made of. so think what you want but i believe an eye for a eye and worse. other countries that have this system have a very minimal murder rate because they know what the punishment will be. not a bed to sleep in, tv to watch, three hot meals a day which is more than a lot of people in this country get by the way. why give them more things than free law obiding citizens have who are funding these peoples vacation from all responsibility.

George O Well · #17 (**permalink**) 04-18-2006, 10:55 AM

"that person should be taken out front and publicly executed in the most painful methods imaginable."

>>>Are you in the Taliban?

George O Well · #18 (**permalink**) 04-18-2006, 11:00 AM

"I don't even know if it does any good as a deterrent to murderers to know they may be executed."

>>>Studies have shown that capital punishment does NOT deter murder.

George O Well · #19 (**permalink**) 04-18-2006, 11:05 AM

"Nor should Moussoui be sentenced to death as he didn't kill anyone."

>>>I don't think so. He wasn't even the so-called 20th high-jacker. I think he's just a delusional Al-Qaeda wannabe.

George O Well · #20 (**permalink**) 04-18-2006, 11:25 AM

"So how do we deal with people who commit crimes that are inhuman and unfathomable?"
>>>Almost by definition, people who do these types of crime are insane. Capital punishment for the insane??? Nah. It sounds a little Hitleresque to me.

"I'm against the death penalty yet believe that abortion should be legal"
>>>Most people are against abortion until it is either themselves or their own teenaged, unwed daughter who gets knocked up.

"and it tears me apart to see terminal patients suffering when I know that if I give them anything more for the pain, it'll kill them."
>>>I'm against suffering.