.....Convicted killers on death row have killed while facing the death penalty, have escaped and killed, etc... plus the majority of murderers are not serial killers, no the death penalty (or the threat of it) does not prevent recidivism. Originally Posted by rekcaSxTAnd there it is. They ESCAPE. What if a Hitler/Stalin/Manson/Bundy type got loose again? I think the death penalty is a necessary evil, although mistakes in our Swiss cheese judicial system deem it imperative that our criminal science and technology catch up to our administration of justice correctly and on a timely basis.
In cases like the above where there just isn't any doubt, and yes, I think the Craiglist Killer would have been lumped in there, the hangman/firing squad/guillotine/injection needs to happen in no more than a year, not like the Cantu execution last night 14 frigging years after he and his gang raped and murdered 2 girls. How much good does it do if the murderers know that they have decades of appeals and the possibility of getting away with it? And what good does life in prison do for the families of the murdered except remind them constantly of their loss every time a news story or appeal pops up?
The argument that the cost of life in prison being cheaper than death row is vehemently argued, especially if an inmate lives a full life span and/or has major heath problems that the state must care for. (Quite a paradox when many of our innocent citizens have to do without medical treatment due to expense.) And since we are quoting the Bible, what happened to "eye for an eye?" Since we expect thieves to pay restitution for what they take, why should any first degree murderer not take ultimate responsibility and pay with his/her life?
Then again, it is so sad and deeply disturbing when you hear that forensics has cleared a man we executed after years in jail. Science needs to catch up and be USED in all capital punishment cases. That said, the preponderance of evidence against serial killers makes an unwarranted conviction about as unlikely as snow on the sun. Psychologically once someone has killed under violent, premeditated circumstances they are predisposed to repeat. Why NOT execute them? We put down rabid dogs and consider that humane and protection of society.
I don't know what the answer is, but I do know that many people have lost faith, with good reason, in our police departments and court system. Perhaps that's why there's a perceived sense of justice and satisfaction when fate steps in and takes care of the problem for us.
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead! Which old Witch? The Wicked Witch! Ding Dong the Wicked Witch is DEAD!
