The "Poster Child" for the Death Penalty.

[Deb in IA]

As Dr. Petit just said, "I still don't have my family".

Exactly.

I have mixed feelings on the death penalty.

I used to be a part of the "hang 'em high" crowd, as my oft-banned friend EROS used to say.

And, like him, I am always a bit shocked and dismayed when I read that so many of you are ready to not only off another human being, but are almost frenzied in wanting to torture and maim.

Really? Isn't that exactly what these guys did? Are we no better than that?

But on the other hand, I really DON'T want these pieces of scum in the world, but getting rid of them will not bring Dr. Petit's family back, nor will it deter others from this type of crime.

The farthest thing from murderers' minds, when they commit these acts, is the possiblity of execution. That's just not something they think about, and it has never been shown to be a deterent.

So the only thing thing I can think of is that execution will prevent THESE guys from ever doing this again. And maybe that is justification enough. But as someone else said, I don't like the idea of the government being in the business of killing people.

So maybe the best solution is just to give these guys a poison pill and have them do it themselves and save us all the trouble.

 

[DawnCt1]

but that won't happen. They will be treated very well. If what you suggested would happen that would be great but it won't.

Fortunately the Time Square bomber didn't torture or kill anyone. His sentence is appropriate however based on the intent. I think that the death penalty isn't for everyone, in every case of murder, but this case is particularly depraved and especially cruel and they deserve no less, despite the fact that it probably won't be carried out.

 

[DawnCt1]

Exactly.

I have mixed feelings on the death penalty.

I used to be a part of the "hang 'em high" crowd, as my oft-banned friend EROS used to say.

And, like him, I am always a bit shocked and dismayed when I read that so many of you are ready to not only off another human being, but are almost frenzied in wanting to torture and maim.

Really? Isn't that exactly what these guys did? Are we no better than that?

But on the other hand, I really DON'T want these pieces of scum in the world, but getting rid of them will not bring Dr. Petit's family back, nor will it deter others from this type of crime.

The farthest thing from murderers' minds, when they commit these acts, is the possiblity of execution. That's just not something they think about, and it has never been shown to be a deterent.

So the only thing thing I can think of is that execution will prevent THESE guys from ever doing this again. And maybe that is justification enough. But as someone else said, I don't like the idea of the government being in the business of killing people.

So maybe the best solution is just to give these guys a poison pill and have them do it themselves and save us all the trouble.

I think most reasonably compassionate people have 'mixed feelings'. I don't think that we would be human if we didn't. I think those of us who volunteer to throw the switch are caught up in the horror of the crime and are reacting out of shock and disgust. Could I personally throw the switch or inject the KCL? No, I know I couldn't. I carry spiders out side of my house when I find them. However, I still support the death penalty in particularly heinous crimes, although I do not do it without those uneasy, mixed feelings that mentioned. Would I support legislation to repeal the death penalty? Never. I think its a tool that we need for those who deserve the ultimate penalty.

 

[NikitaZee]

Never thought I'd say this, but Dawn I agree with you 100%.

These two monsters don't deserve the chair. They deserve to be tortured each and every day, by whatever means necessary, for the rest of their pathetic lives.

Agreed. I hope they get death, and until that day - I hope the inmates in their respective prisons dole out plenty of prison justice until they beg for relief.

 

[Frye7127]

Not to hijack the thread, but I was never much for the death penalty either before the cases for Channon Christian and Chris Newsom in Knoxville took place. After watching how these two children were tormented and killed by a group of people, suddenly the death penaly seemed to easy for them and life without parole was not justice served. Like Mr. Pettit, the Christians and Newsoms held themselves with such grace and dignity. I don't know how they do it. I don't believe this group of people ever give a day of thought to what they did. Prison is a way of life for many of them, and two got off with just years of punishment with possiblity of parole. It makes a good citizen feel better to think they will sit in a prison cell day in and day out thinking about what they did, but I am not sure that is the case. A poison pill sounds like a good answer, and still an easy way out for the criminal. And, death row a lot of times is life without parole because the wait is too long.

 

[klacey1]

And they shouldn't have the option to be rehabilitated. I think they should suffer.

Could not agree more. What absolutely kills me is that these guys were both in and out of jail many, many times for various crimes. They just kept getting sent out on parole.
Still can't figure out why this terrible crime turned so violent-- they were mostly involved in petty burglary and stealing things out of cars. What made them do something so heinous to innocent people?

 

[scrapquitler]

He also did not want to be convicted of raping the 11 year old daughter either. They both know they will never leave prison alive. In fact, Hayes attempted suicide earlier this year but survived. He may have survived with some brain damage. He had supposedly had a seizure a few weeks ago and his trial was delayed a day or two.

When he tried to commit suicide and they stopped him then put him on the 24/7 surveillance, I couldn't help but think that they shouldn't have stopped him, it would have been so much easier...as it stands now, he'll probably still be hanging around appealing this for 25 or 30 years.

 

[dismom2005]

Still can't figure out why this terrible crime turned so violent-- they were mostly involved in petty burglary and stealing things out of cars. What made them do something so heinous to innocent people?

Yes, it really does make you wonder why and how? It makes me think this has happened before (the rape) but no one reported it or they never were caught. Sick awful people.