Poll!

rosesandpetals · March 2014

How do you feel about the death penalty? It is anonymous so be honest.

rosesandpetals · March 2014

I am curious to see the results.

soexcited317 · March 2014

Snowflake here, mostly becuase I can't decide, and I am a lot ashamed to admit I don't think about it fequently. I'm curious to see the results too. This is a really really tough issue.

Mrs.Greg · March 2014

I don't believe electrocution is used anymore. It is done by lethal injection. I *think*.

zbeesma86 · March 2014

I wrote my thesis on military death penalty in grad school. Crazy stuff!

zbeesma86 · March 2014

Mrs.Greg said:

I don't believe electrocution is used anymore. It is done by lethal injection. I *think*.

Some states still do electrocution.

rosesandpetals · March 2014

hls19 said:

Mrs.Greg said:

I don't believe electrocution is used anymore. It is done by lethal injection. I *think*.

Some states still do electrocution.

It was just an example, I don't know what they do.

bhuffman · March 2014

LalaMama81 said:
Nope. Never, don't care how or why.

Agreed. Until there is zero human error (and there never will be)...

rosesandpetals · March 2014

I find this surprising from a board that is generally so liberal.

myatala · March 2014

I'm with PP's -- until the courts are infallible and no innocent person wrongly sentenced, I do not support the death penalty.

rosesandpetals · March 2014

LalaMama81 said:

roses&65335678 said:

I find this surprising from a board that is generally so liberal.

Most of it probably has to do w/ who is on right now?

Probably. And they may be lurkers but I don't think I can name 10 regs who think we should use it more. Kill all the people ...

eaglesfan700 · March 2014

I am against it, because with the appeals and everything, it just draws out the whole process. Victims' families have to suffer even longer with no closure. It isn't saving any taxpayer money. Plus life in prison is a worse punishment

Mrs.Greg · March 2014

gwapes said:

Mrs.Greg said:

I don't believe electrocution is used anymore. It is done by lethal injection. I *think*.

List of methods used by state

Eeek, warning, I just noticed there are graphic images off to the side of list. Sorry!

I stand corrected $:\$ "> Seriously though, I can't believe how many states have electrocution as an option. I mean, why would someone CHOOSE that??

rosesandpetals · March 2014

Mrs.Greg said:

Mrs.Greg said:

I don't believe electrocution is used anymore. It is done by lethal injection. I *think*.

List of methods used by state

Eeek, warning, I just noticed there are graphic images off to the side of list. Sorry!
I stand corrected $:\$ "> Seriously though, I can't believe how many states have electrocution as an option. I mean, why would someone CHOOSE that??

They do it three times and if you live, you get a pardon. It is considered an act of God. Only a few people have ever lived, though.

Mrs.Greg · March 2014

I can't wrap my head around how it's just ok to take someone's life. Sure, they killed someone but how is killing THEM the right thing to do?? This coming from someone who worked on the State's side for many years. This is an aspect of my job I never agreed with.

LatteLady5 · March 2014

soexcited317 said:

Snowflake here, mostly becuase I can't decide,.

Oh this is me too...It's tough because as bhhuffman said, human error but I think of a friend who was brutally murdered at 19. She and her boyfriend were forced to their knees and shot in the heads. They were walking in a park during daylight hours. The guy who shot them then texted her bf's parents and tried to get them to pay him ransom money. Oh and then he has the nerve to go on the news the following day and say to the reporter "I can't believe this happened here. My kids play here...yada yada" There is absolutely NO doubt he did it. None. He was just sentenced to life in prison.

But this is a case that's personal to me so I recognize I feel differently...Plus, the possibility of killing an innocent person because of a legal/human error is undoubtedly wrong.

I don't know. It's hard. I've changed my mind on this issue several times...it's definitely a tough one.

penguingrrl · March 2014

I think the death penalty is inexcusable. The government should not be taking lives for any reason.

notkateanymore · March 2014

I go back and forth about this honestly. In my mind I know that there is human error in the law, you shouldn't kill people, blah blah...but they have no regard for human life, so why care about theirs? And yes, I'm very liberal with most things.

zbeesma86 · March 2014

Eye for an eye.

jjt616 · March 2014

eaglesfan700 said:
I am against it, because with the appeals and everything, it just draws out the whole process. Victims' families have to suffer even longer with no closure. It isn't saving any taxpayer money. Plus life in prison is a worse punishment

All of this.

rosesandpetals · March 2014

hls19 said:

Eye for an eye.

Leaves the whole world blind.

I just like that saying.

But seriously, not everyone is a straight, intentional murderer. Like what about rapists and pedophiles? People convicted of treason?

People get off for reason of mental insanity. I can't believe that someone who would murder people in cold blood is not mentally insane.

I know this is pot stirring material but I am genuinely curious. not arguing just... prodding.

rosesandpetals · March 2014

Since I'm asking other people, I should probably share. I do not support it because it is expensive, innocent people are wrongly put to death, and the thought of taking someone and strapping them to a table so they can't move and injecting them with poison in front of spectators makes me want to throw up and seems so wrong.

kcisthebombdotcom · March 2014

Rationally I know it doesn't make sense--it's far more expensive than the alternative. When people do terrible crimes especially against children it does give me the warm fuzzies that they don't exist--not going to lie. I know people say prison is a worse alternative but I'm not really sure I buy it.

zbeesma86 · March 2014

I believe the punishment should fit the crime of the wrongdoer. Gives families peace. Knowing these people aren't out there committing other horrible acts. Also cost of life in prison vs death.

rosesandpetals · March 2014

hls19 said:

I believe the punishment should fit the crime of the wrongdoer. Gives families peace. Knowing these people aren't out there committing other horrible acts. Also cost of life in prison vs death.

I found this very unbiased website (snort) that says it is cheaper to send them to prison. Does that change your mind?
https://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/costs-death-penalty

vlagrl29 · March 2014

It's one of those things I would like to say I'm against it, but really what if someone killed anyone in my family. How would I feel then? Would I want them to die to? How would I feel if they got life in prison instead?

trackgirlparis · March 2014

LalaMama81 said:
Nope. Never, don't care how or why.

This

bhuffman · March 2014

hls19 said:
Eye for an eye. </blockquote

My issues with this are:
1. What the murderer did was brutal. The state is not brutally murdering the guilty party in the same way. It still is murder, but it doesn't make the murderer's death equivalent. I don't know. I have a hard time wrapping my brain around this.

2. How about eye for an eye for the wrongly accused? There are people who have been put to death who did not commit the crime they have been accused of. Do their families get to put the state/jury/judge/detectives to death who got it wrong?

zbeesma86 · March 2014

Sorry I posted & ran last night. I passed out.

Roses- still no. I mean, maybe I'm jaded it to it because I've worked & arrested people that have done shitty stuff but when someone is sentenced to death their time on death row can be years! Idk I'm agreeing there are some flaws. Have you ever seen the life of David Gale?

BHuff- it's a life for a life at that point I guess. Retribution. & yes. Wrongfully accused is sad. & wrongfully executed is horrible- but that leads back to our justice system and their legislation. I definitely agree that there should be stricter evidence to support people going on to death row instead of using the little old lady that can barely see/hear to testify as an eye witness to a murder.

Vlagrl- or in 50-60 years gets out on probation due to over crowding? Nope! No way!

Mrs.Hizzo · March 2014

I don't support it, because it costs too much and they way we do it doesn't work as a deterrent.

Andrewsgal · March 2014

Mrs.Hizzo said:

I don't support it, because it costs too much and they way we do it doesn't work as a deterrent.

but is it really supposed to be a deterrent? I don't think that is the point of prison per se.

Mrs.Hizzo · March 2014

@AG, don't you think it should be? If it were immediate, it would be. The whole Hamarabic Code thing people keep trotting out (eye for an eye) actually did work as a deterrent in it's original form, because if you got caught stealing you immediately got your hand chopped off. But the death penalty doesn't work that way here, it's way too delayed and all the appeals cost a fortune, way more than imprisoning someone for life. If we funneled that money into prevention, we could theoretically lower crime rates in the future by quite a lot.

fivesecondrule · March 2014

I don't believe in killing anything so I'm I'm against it. Well, maybe spiders can die.

rosesandpetals · March 2014

hls19 said:

Sorry I posted & ran last night. I passed out. Roses- still no. I mean, maybe I'm jaded it to it because I've worked & arrested people that have done shitty stuff but when someone is sentenced to death their time on death row can be years! Idk I'm agreeing there are some flaws. Have you ever seen the life of David Gale? BHuff- it's a life for a life at that point I guess. Retribution. & yes. Wrongfully accused is sad. & wrongfully executed is horrible- but that leads back to our justice system and their legislation. I definitely agree that there should be stricter evidence to support people going on to death row instead of using the little old lady that can barely see/hear to testify as an eye witness to a murder. Vlagrl- or in 50-60 years gets out on probation due to over crowding? Nope! No way!

I do think over-crowding is a big part of the problem. I think the whole prison model needs to be overhauled (that's another debate, though), but if we released people because they were rehabilitated instead of because the prisons are crowded then people less people would feel like we need execution. No one wants serial killers on the loose.

And I know, I know, there is a whole "you can't rehabilitate these people" argument. But 50 - 80% of people in North American prisons have anti-social personality disorder (compared to ~1% of the general population) and we can't afford to keep them locked up forever. Every year, more and more are released into parole and are out in society and recidivism rates are sky high. We need to do something to lower those rates and treating the disorder seems like the best way to do that.

@Mrs.Hizzo If we put that money into researching effective treatments for ASPD, I think we would solve over-crowding and recidivism problems. There are few proven treatments but that's because so many people are okay with throwing away the key when it would save money in the long run by addressing the underlying issue.

But I also think ASPD counts as a mental illness and I don't like killing someone for having an illness. I know that is very unpopular.

jensriot · March 2014

My Aunt was brutally murdered, a case of real overkill. He got the death penalty. Who knows if he'll ever be executed and I really don't care. I'd almost prefer he be put in general population in San Quentin instead of his own safe cell on death row. None of what I think really matters though. What he did deserves the death penalty. Do I like the way it's applied? No. Do I think it should be applied if we absolutely know 100% for sure a person's guilt? Yes. That is pretty much impossible though.

jag101 · March 2014

I feel for the victims family. Even thou they know that the person will be locked up for the rest of their lives, you heard of victims that live in constant fear that somehow that person will get out and come after them. They have been through enough, give them some closure.

rockyrollgirl · March 2014

I will be honest. Believe it or not, there are certain cases where I am fine with it. I would not say it needs to be used more though.

I would actually consider myself more of a moderate then a liberal though.

rosesandpetals · March 2014

rockyrollgirl said:

I will be honest. Believe it or not, there are certain cases where I am fine with it. I would not say it needs to be used more though.

I would actually consider myself more of a moderate then a liberal though.

Okay, when the Petit family murders happened, I did struggle with it. On principle I don't agree with it but sometimes hearing about the horrible crimes makes me seriously reconsider my position.

rockyrollgirl · March 2014

roses&65335678 said:

rockyrollgirl said:

I will be honest. Believe it or not, there are certain cases where I am fine with it. I would not say it needs to be used more though.

I would actually consider myself more of a moderate then a liberal though.

Okay, when the Petit family murders happened, I did struggle with it. On principle I don't agree with it but sometimes hearing about the horrible crimes makes me seriously reconsider my position.

I understand. That was horrible.

vlagrl29 · March 2014

hls19 said:

Sorry I posted & ran last night. I passed out. Roses- still no. I mean, maybe I'm jaded it to it because I've worked & arrested people that have done shitty stuff but when someone is sentenced to death their time on death row can be years! Idk I'm agreeing there are some flaws. Have you ever seen the life of David Gale? BHuff- it's a life for a life at that point I guess. Retribution. & yes. Wrongfully accused is sad. & wrongfully executed is horrible- but that leads back to our justice system and their legislation. I definitely agree that there should be stricter evidence to support people going on to death row instead of using the little old lady that can barely see/hear to testify as an eye witness to a murder. Vlagrl- or in 50-60 years gets out on probation due to over crowding? Nope! No way!

you make a great point here

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