Don't let the door hitcha in the ass on the way out! (Death penalty)

[Amethyst Hunter]

I support it...

...in cases where it's proven beyond all doubt that the perp did it, and only in cases where violence applies (rape, murder, terrorism). In those cases, I think the death penalty should not only be applicable but put to good use.

Frankly, I have no sympathy for a piece of shit that thinks it's fun to rape and/or murder (often repeatedly). These kind are a danger to everyone else and they have nothing worthwhile to offer in permanent incarceration. Get rid of 'em, I say. You'll save on the tax dollars it costs to house and feed them too.

Revenge? Maybe. Certainly, it won't undo the damage already done. But I think true (and fitting) revenge would be for the perp to suffer and die exactly in the same manner as what he did to his victims. I don't buy the excuse that lethal injection or other such is "cruel and unusual" - How about people who suffered under brutal sexual assault, or were set on fire, or literally cut into pieces *while they were still conscious*? How about a young New York woman who was kidnapped, raped, choked and had her head wrapped in plastic wrap so she suffocated and was then thrown off a bridge? (True case; happened in 2006) You gonna tell me THAT'S not cruel and unusual?

And yes, if God forbid I or a loved one was the victim of such a horrendous crime, I'd want the perp dead. Why should that scumbag get to breathe air when we've been denied it?

One of the things I dislike about my home state is that Illinois enacted a moratorium on executions, thanks to former governor George Ryan (who, I might add, is now serving a prison sentence on corruption charges). I guarantee you Ryan didn't have any change of conscience when he pushed that bullshit measure through; he did it solely to make himself look good. (Ryan's on record as being one of the worst governors in IL for scandal)

I don't know whether or not the death penalty deters crime, but it would sure cut down on the number of scumbags taking up space in prison.

[DesignFox]

I haven't researched it, but from what I'm told, it is actually more expensive to execute someone than let them drag on in prison for life.

Proving someone is guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt, going through mutliple appeals, etc. etc. drives up the cost of executions.

However, I think rapists and serial killers above all others deserve the death penalty. There is no room for that sort of behavior in our society.

I don't even think scum like that deserve a second shot at innocence, let alone air to breathe...but I'd hate the idea of convicting and killing someone who might be innocent.

And I'm holding back...I have some strong feelings on what should be done with rapists in particular.

[crazylegs]

Why do we kill people, who kill people, to show people that killing people is wrong?

[Pedersen]

I don't have the statistics handy, and don't feel like looking them up. But I do know that the number of people on death row who are being proven innocent (thanks to DNA testing) is truly disturbing.

I agree with the death penalty. But, due to the severity of it, I also believe we have to be able to be a lot more certain than we already are. This is one penalty that there are no takebacks for. No compensation can be given to the innocent person who is executed.

And, in an alarmingly high percentage of the cases, we find out we were wrong.

In another noticeable fraction of the cases, defendants are represented by incompetent lawyers who miss opportunities to bring in evidence that would clear them. However, since their lawyer had the opportunity to bring this evidence in, they are denied appeals.

I agree with executing those who would commit such crimes. But I need a criminal justice system that I can fully believe in first.

[blas87]

The inmates in prison show the newbie that it's wrong by assraping them daily.

That thought alone is the only thing that comforts me when I think of the piece of shit that killed my cousin. There's a lot of scumbags in prison, but most of them frown upon murderers, rapists, and the like.

I support the death penalty as well. Too bad Wisconsin will never have it again.

[DesignFox]

Why do we kill people, who kill people, to show people that killing people is wrong?

Because some people are incurable. Their behavior can't be corrected, they feel no remorse for what they've done. Why keep someone deranged like that alive and give them the opportunity to kill again?

[AFPheonix]

If I thought that execution ever actually did something good for society, then I'd support it.
But:
1) It costs us as taxpayers far more to execute someone than it does to keep them separated from everyone else for life.
2) The death penalty so far in this country has been skewed towards minorities. Until we as a nation are a true meritocracy, then the government should not be putting people to death.
3) We've killed people who were found to be innocent. Until we as a nation can be 100% certain of a person's guilt, we should not be putting people to death.
4) It doesn't serve as a deterrent. It never has. What's the point? Revenge? We have a justice system, not a revenge system.
While my heart goes out to victim's families, the reality is that another death is not going to bring their dead back to life, or make the bereaved better people or really even make them feel better. It does nothing for them.

[LadyMage]

I am against the death penalty, all times, every time

Human life is human life, we have no right to take it from someone else, plus the death penalty forces those of us who hate killing to kill. Why do I say this, because the death penalty is state sanctioned, meaning by the people of the state, in a sense. That forces the blood of prisoners killed by the death penalty onto my hands, and I don't like that one bit!

Also the main reasons for killing can not be prevented because they are that primal

1. impusle - you had a real sucky day, your spouse is found in bed with your best friend and you kill them both, you had no control, you where too angry to think and did the first thing to come to your mind. I don't care how in control you are we are all at risk of doing this, some more then others of course. How is the death penalty going to deter that one?

2. Forced too - like in a war, or another form of self defence since the other person might kill you. Cops do this all the time, should we send them to the chair? How about the boys and girls forced to go to war? Should they get the gas chamber?

3. Too messed up to care - Ted Bundy, BTK killer, Jeffery Dhamer, Jack the Ripper.... need I go on?

funny, the death penalty can't fix any of those things last I checked. Oh and it is not even humane. Injection does not put the killer to sleep like many believe, they are not given enough drugs to do so. Why? To cut costs, however they are given drugs to paralyze them, so you don't see them suffering. Its a magic trick of death and pain cause the person suffocates as he or she dies. That or has a heart attack because of the other drug.

I also hear tell that states with the death penlty have more crime then those without, hmmmm but that stat I am shaky on so that doesn't weigh as much as the others.

My solution, keep them locked up, give them gruel to eat and a slab to sleep on, and if they want to take their own lives, let them. Thank you good night!

[AFPheonix]

I forgot to elaborate more on the minorities/poor point.
A lot of the time people pegged for murder can't afford their own representation, so are appointed a representative by the court. A lot of the time, these lawyers are overworked, underpaid, and may frankly suck.
There have been many occasions where because of the shoddy work of these lawyers, their clients get slapped with the murder charge and death penalty. That doesn't sit well with me at all.

[blas87]

Those against the death penalty and more in favor of prison, I hope you never experience the loss of a loved one like I have. I experienced losing my cousin to a violent death. It was done with malice and complete intention to kill her and her unborn baby. It was done in cold blood. I hope you never experience being on the edge of your seat praying to God that either your family kills the asshole or the police catch him soon. I hope you never experience the trauma of such a gory death and even worse, the agony of a long trial and the possibility that the killer might be found innocent, even if it's a SMALL chance. Knowing that we live in such a fucked up society where the legal system is more pro criminal and less pro victim....I thank God every day that that piece of shit was caught and put in prison.....but guess what? He is eligible for PAROLE...yes, he gets a chance to get OUT...here's something we forgot to cover.....the fact that murderers and rapists and molesters can get PAROLE.....

I honestly have no idea what I will do when this guy comes up for parole and he gets a possibility to get out of prison. Knowing the way the justice system is going these days, he most likely WILL get out. I guess I'll have to wait to cross that bridge, but it scares the living hell out of me.

I'd rather lose a few bucks here and there knowing that people like him, especially him, could just be killed, and not ever have the chance to get out and kill another person again.

[DesignFox]

I am against the death penalty, all times, every time

<snip> ... the death penalty forces those of us who hate killing to kill. Why do I say this, because the death penalty is state sanctioned, meaning by the people of the state, in a sense. That forces the blood of prisoners killed by the death penalty onto my hands, and I don't like that one bit!

<snip>
My solution, keep them locked up, give them gruel to eat and a slab to sleep on, and if they want to take their own lives, let them. Thank you good night!

I never considered it from this point of view. It is an interesting perspective.

As for letting them take their own lives- they don't. Prisoners don't get the opportunity nor are they left with the tools to commit suicide. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but there's a reason the toilets are stainless steel and prisoners aren't allowed shoelaces...

I do agree with everyone that we need a better system for determining guilt. Only those truly proven guilty should be put to death, and like I said earlier, I hate the thought that innocent people get executed.

I think it's equally horrible that there are some innocent people who get to rot in jail for the rest of their lives! In some ways, perhaps that's worse........ I don't know.

[Saydrah]

I am against the death penalty.

Give people who would be eligible for the death penalty a choice: Die by lethal injection peacefully, without filing a costly appeal, or spend life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Two choices. Both ensure the person is never a menace to society again.

[blas87]

Saydrah, if all brutal murderers were never given the option of parole, I wouldn't be so pro-death penalty. I am more worried about parole than anything else.

I am more afraid of that guy getting out of prison than I am of my own death, whatever it may be from. Sometimes I can't sleep because I fear that in the next 10-15 years, my family won't be informed of his parole and he'll be set free. That or we'll be ignored and he'll be set free.

[AFPheonix]

If he had life in prison with no possibility of parole, would that be ok for you? What would killing him do for your emotional and mental health?

I had a girl I used to give riding lessons to who got off on a bad track and be murdered by her crazy meth-head boyfriend. I don't wish death on her killer, but I do wish a life spent in a very small box with no freedom, thinking over what he did. That is enough for me.

[LadyMage]

Those against the death penalty and more in favor of prison, I hope you never experience the loss of a loved one like I have. I experienced losing my cousin to a violent death. It was done with malice and complete intention to kill her and her unborn baby. It was done in cold blood. I hope you never experience being on the edge of your seat praying to God that either your family kills the asshole or the police catch him soon. I hope you never experience the trauma of such a gory death and even worse, the agony of a long trial and the possibility that the killer might be found innocent, even if it's a SMALL chance. Knowing that we live in such a fucked up society where the legal system is more pro criminal and less pro victim....I thank God every day that that piece of shit was caught and put in prison.....but guess what? He is eligible for PAROLE...yes, he gets a chance to get OUT...here's something we forgot to cover.....the fact that murderers and rapists and molesters can get PAROLE.....

I honestly have no idea what I will do when this guy comes up for parole and he gets a possibility to get out of prison. Knowing the way the justice system is going these days, he most likely WILL get out. I guess I'll have to wait to cross that bridge, but it scares the living hell out of me.

I'd rather lose a few bucks here and there knowing that people like him, especially him, could just be killed, and not ever have the chance to get out and kill another person again.

Not all of them can, and most of them don't, also never wish those kinds of things on anyone, karma can bite you back for that big time, just a warning.

See killing the killer won't bring the dead back, killing the rapist won't get rid of the rape, killing won't return innocence when innocence is lost. Its an old, outdated, usless idea that need to hit the trash hard!

I am sorry for your lost, but those words you speak are anger and fear, nothing more, remember that killer has a family too, he is still human no matter what he did. I hope he doesn't get out, but if he does don't shoot him, don't harm him, wait for him to mess up again, and get caught again, and get raped in the butt by bubba again