The Death Penalty in action - issues updates and the ongoing debate

[Monter]

There are so many facets to this conversation, there are entire sites dedicated to the Death penalty and the issues surrounding it. To me, I find it fascinating ( morbidly so, of course) that on a certain date and time, a person will be killed. I follow a few sites closely that update on upcoming executions throughout the US, details of the crime, etc.

This site-
http://people.smu.edu/rhalperi/pending.html
Keeps an ongoing vigil posted for all execution dates upcoming, and the possibility they will be carried out as scheduled.

This site is also pretty thorough ( although at times poorly written) about case summaries and lists executions and their resolution.
http://www.prodeathpenalty.com/links2.htm
http://www.prodeathpenalty.com/Pending/13/jul13.htm

Ive been stuck on the case of Vaughn Ross, who murdered his girlfriend's sister and an esteemed Dean at Texas Tech. The details of the case make it pretty clear the guy was engaged in some sort of illicit engagement when he was murdered, along with this 18 year old. It was not easy to find any source that would address this though!!
Not to mention, I find it weird and creepy that a college professor would be caught with teenage prostitutes. It opens up so many other issues.
The defense seemed to get slammed shut when they tried to address this guy's proclivities, and how that may have provided an alternative theory for the murder ( though it does seem pretty clear this clown did it).
It is amazing to me that this guy is going to sleep every night knowing he will be dead in 6 days. I cant quite wrap my head around that.

[leapfreak]

It is amazing to me that this guy is going to sleep every night knowing he will be dead in 6 days. I cant quite wrap my head around that.

I always find this part of the Death Penalty fascinating. I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like to know exactly what day and time you will die. I don't understand how anyone continues to function whilst knowing this information

[Monter]

I always find this part of the Death Penalty fascinating. I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like to know exactly what day and time you will die. I don't understand how anyone continues to function whilst knowing this information

Right?? My bias is showing but I truly cannot imagine being able to condemn someone to death. In good conscience. I have never ever been that sure of anything in my life!!

[M Joy]

I always find this part of the Death Penalty fascinating. I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like to know exactly what day and time you will die. I don't understand how anyone continues to function whilst knowing this information

I've always been kind of fascinated by those notorious killers that have gone to the death chamber.
Ever since Monster came out, I've been interested in Aileen Wuornos. She was crazy.
Here's a video of her the day before she was executed.

[leapfreak]

I've always been kind of fascinated by those notorious killers that have gone to the death chamber.
Ever since Monster came out, I've been interested in Aileen Wuornos. She was crazy.
Here's a video of her the day before she was executed.

The video is blocked for the UK. I kept meaning to watch Monster and never got around to it

[M Joy]

The video is blocked for the UK. I kept meaning to watch Monster and never got around to it

if you google "Aileen Wuornos crazy" there are several of the same video that is approx 7 min long.
charlize theron was brilliant playing her. But I'm going Off topic sorry

[Monter]

if you google "Aileen Wuornos crazy" there are several of the same video that is approx 7 min long.
charlize theron was brilliant playing her. But I'm going Off topic sorry

No way I think that is absolutely on topic!!
This guy Marshall Gore just received a stay of execution because he could be considered insane, and someone declared insane at the time of exectution can not be executed. Who can look at some of these guys, like Wuornos and not see how completely out of the mind she was!!

[leapfreak]

if you google "Aileen Wuornos crazy" there are several of the same video that is approx 7 min long.
charlize theron was brilliant playing her. But I'm going Off topic sorry

I found one. Thank you. She does sound crazy and it's totally not off topic. It's fascinating to watch a video of someone the day before their execution

[Ron_NYC]

I always find this part of the Death Penalty fascinating. I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like to know exactly what day and time you will die. I don't understand how anyone continues to function whilst knowing this information

It's a luxury their victims didn't have.
And they get to pass away quietly while sleeping, not begging for their life while being bludgeoned to death.

[sogs]

It's a luxury their victims didn't have.
And they get to pass away quietly while sleeping, not begging for their life while being bludgeoned to death.

Yes. I think it is too humane for them. It costs more and why do they deserve to never suffer again?

I'm not for it but I am for worse prisons for hardcore criminals.


Wournos is fascinating. Her crazy is so crazy she's was almost sane.

[Cap-n Meow]

I'm for the death penalty when there are compliant witnesses, no signs of mental illness, and given a fair trial.

[leapfreak]

I'm against the death penalty. There is no perfect justice system and I think 1 innocent person being executed is 1 too many. I just don't get the whole eye-for-an-eye thing. I think sentences should be long. The one issue we have here in the UK is that our sentences are too short. Life should mean life.

[Cap-n Meow]

I'm against the death penalty. There is no perfect justice system and I think 1 innocent person being executed is 1 too many. I just don't get the whole eye-for-an-eye thing. I think sentences should be long. The one issue we have here in the UK is that our sentences are too short. Life should mean life.

It's impossible to say what anyone would really do in that situation, but as far as I know, if someone intentionally hurts someone I love, I would want blood.

[leapfreak]

It's impossible to say what anyone would really do in that situation, but as far as I know, if someone intentionally hurts someone I love, I would want blood.

I agree. I've luckily never been in a position where I've had to face something like that. My opinion could easily changed if someone did something to someone I love.

[Monter]

It's impossible to say what anyone would really do in that situation, but as far as I know, if someone intentionally hurts someone I love, I would want blood.

I would too- no doubt. But should it be state sanctioned for that reason?
If someone hurt my child I would gladly go to jail for the opportunity to destroy them. I don't think the DP is the answer.(personally). I think it brutalizes everyone further, and society in general.

[faq_q]

It's impossible to say what anyone would really do in that situation, but as far as I know, if someone intentionally hurts someone I love, I would want blood.

Agreed! I will not bring up a certain thread but sometimes the DP is justified. Especially if the crime is brutal beyond comprehension. I remember when Bundy got executed, that was when I really started supporting the DP. I lived in Florida at the time and restaurants were selling Bundy fries.

[Monter]

Agreed! I will not bring up a certain thread but sometimes the DP is justified. Especially if the crime is brutal beyond comprehension. I remember when Bundy got executed, that was when I really started supporting the DP. I lived in Florida at the time and restaurants were selling Bundy fries.

Bring it up! I think specific cases illustrate the issues really well.

[M Joy]

Bring it up! I think specific cases illustrate the issues really well.

I was debating whether or not to bring up the Jodi thread too. But it is relevant!
I've generally been against the DP for the reason that to me it appears too easy of a punishment. An easy death for someone that caused so much pain and anguish to the victim(s) and their families.
In the Jodi case, since the victim's family wants the DP so much I have supported that stance as well.

[Monter]

It is sick, but I look up the pending executions and try to find the backstories on these people . There was one scheduled for today at 6pm, but it was stayed. It is just odd - there is no other circumstance where a person can say "By 601pm, I will be dead". Creeps me the hell out.

[missbad]

Where I live (in Canada) there are three prisons, one male provincial, one female provincial, and mixed federal. A Lot of my family has worked in the correctional system,I personally couldn't work in one. I know after listening to my mom, who has worked at the female center for 30 years, these people all have a story whether we want to hear it or not. I think its a waste to just put them to death if we are not going to learn something from them, ya know?

My husbands cousin was murdered in May. I know how I felt about the man that did it, I would never judge someone who is for or against the D.P. Luckily it's not something I have to come to terms with. I just think it's a waist not to learn something from each case that can help further on in other cases.

Thanks for starting this thread Monter.

[TheFavoriteDaughter]

I'm pretty wishy-washy on the DP. I can tell you, from personal experience, that many people support it more when it's their loved one that is the victim. I would have had no guilt if Ryan was given the death penalty. I've heard so many people say, "I couldn't support it, even if it was my child killed." To be honest, that bothers me. Those people have no idea and it's pretty ballsy to say how they would or wouldn't feel in that situation.

But.... The idea of the death penalty still feels morally wrong. I heard the stupidest argument for it on one of those "Women that kill" shows. This one guy said, "The death penalty protects the sanctity of life." Are you for real?

[Sneakers the Wonder Dog]

Has anyone here done any reading on the Innocence Project?

[faq_q]

Has anyone here done any reading on the Innocence Project?

What is that Sneaks?

[kevansvault]

Has anyone here done any reading on the Innocence Project?

I have. They investigate and attempt to exonerate people believed wrongly convicted who were sentenced to die.

http://www.innocenceproject.org/


What they have done for these people is nothing short of extraordinary. Again, if you did the crime, I'm all for you frying until burned to a crisp. But if you didn't, you don't deserve to spend one moment behind bars for it.

[Sneakers the Wonder Dog]

[QUOTE=Ron_NYC;3461169]

I have. They investigate and attempt to exonerate people believed wrongly convicted who were sentenced to die.

http://www.innocenceproject.org/


What they have done for these people is nothing short of extraordinary. Again, if you did the crime, I'm all for you frying until burned to a crisp. But if you didn't, you don't deserve to spend one moment behind bars for it.

Anyone interested should read about Ronald Cotton, there is a book about his case.