|
spitfire78
|
 |
« on: December 14, 2004, 04:44:46 pm » |
|
So, with the Scott Peterson trial over and the death penalty having been decided upon by the jury, what do you think about the death penalty? If you were on a jury (not necessarily this case but any case where the death penalty was on the table), would you be able to vote for the death penalty?
I've thought and thought about this. I feel two ways about it. I do think the death penalty is appropriate in certain cases. But, I really don't think I could vote for it. When it comes right down to it, I don't feel that I have the right to take anyone's life. And yes, it is for religious reasons - I feel only God has the right to end life. Then, on the other hand, if a member of my family was the victim, I think I'd be more than happy to flip the switch or give the injection myself! So, I guess this is something I'm still working on in my head as I go through life.
How about you - could you vote for the dealth penalty?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
chris68
|
|
« Reply #1 on: December 14, 2004, 05:24:44 pm » |
|
I personally don't see why this case has been given the attention that it has been. Yes I understand the severity of the crime and that an unborn child and mother were killed, but it's a court case that has been given way too much media attention in my opinion.
Wether or not the death penalty is appropriate, I am having the same difficulties as you Spitfire. I just don't know if I could vote for the death penalty no matter how bad the case is. I would say let him stay alive and suffer for his crimes, but then again, if he does that the state of california and its residents will pay for him to stay behind bars, and I don't know if that is necessarily fair either, especially considering the crime.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
spitfire78
|
|
« Reply #2 on: December 14, 2004, 06:43:49 pm » |
|
I agree with you about the media. As you said, it is a horrible crime, but there are lots of other horrible crimes happening, too. What is it about one particular case that excites the media, when another case doesn't even get mentioned.
I also agree about the residents of the state paying to support people. You're right, it doesn't seem fair. Then again, I just really don't know if I could choose the death penalty if I were on a jury. I must say that I certainly respect the people who have been put in this situation. It must be a tremendously difficult, soul-searching decision to make.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
donnap99
|
|
« Reply #3 on: December 14, 2004, 06:51:56 pm » |
|
I think I could serve on a jury and recommend the death sentence. There has to be more deterrent to criminal activity. My fantasy is to take 50% of the money being used to take care of life sentence and death row inmates and buy an island and leave them all there with what they need to survive (not more than a homeless person would have). The other 50% of the money can surely be put to better use. DonnaP99 |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
spitfire78
|
|
« Reply #4 on: December 14, 2004, 06:56:24 pm » |
|
Sort of like the old leper's colony - I like that idea!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
countrigal
|
|
« Reply #5 on: December 15, 2004, 03:14:35 pm » |
|
I'm not sure whether or not I could vote for the death penalty. Sometimes I think yes, sometimes no, but it's hard to really say until/unless I'm in that situation.
As for me, I really hate that the person gets to live (and possibly escape) when they've taken a life themselves. I also hate the thought of paying this person to sit and watch tv, eat 3 good meals a day, and basically have it made -- free room and board for life -- that's just not a deterrent. Some even minor criminals keep getting arrested because they have it better behind bars than they do in the outside. So my idea is to put them to work. They have to earn their keep, just like the rest of us. I'm not talking the old fashioned work camps, but I do feel that if you don't have a skill, you should learn one or do manual work to pay your way. I think I could go for the idea of putting them all on an island and letting them make do.
CountriGal
Peer Moderator
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
msmarieh
|
|
« Reply #6 on: December 15, 2004, 03:49:54 pm » |
|
I could absolutely give the death penalty for heinous crimes. If someone is proven to have taken the lives of others, they should give up the right to their own life (outside of self defense type situations of course).
I would require a large burden of proof however, before I would give that punishment. It must be based on multiple witnesses, DNA evidence and other evidence that is conclusive.
As for the costs, I have heard (though haven't researched the veracity) that appeals on death row end up costing more for the taxpayers that life in prison.
However, as my husband puts in, when it comes to deterence, someone put to death sure won't commit that crime again!
Marie
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
peana
|
|
« Reply #7 on: December 15, 2004, 04:35:11 pm » |
|
I don't believe there is ever any justification for the death penalty. I find it totally barbaric and uncivilised.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
raindance
|
|
« Reply #8 on: December 15, 2004, 04:57:17 pm » |
|
I also cannot see that the death penalty is ever justified in a civilised Society, and I don't believe that the death penalty is a deterrent because murders are still carried out in places where such a penalty exists. I would, though, like to see prisoners having to do proper paid work to earn their keep. There are many occupations they could undertake behind bars.
Raindance
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
kjorg
|
|
« Reply #9 on: December 16, 2004, 01:36:26 am » |
|
I followed the case when it first happened simply because I'm only 20 miles from Modesto where they lived. I have to admit, though, that I didn't follow the court trial too much. As far as I know, there still wasn't any clear cut evidence pointing to him. Just a lot of circumstancial evidence and unbelievable stories. He just wasn't forthcoming about anything. That pretty much swayed public opinion, especially around here.
And yippee, we Californians get to cover all of his expenses while living in prison. Even though he is on death row, it will probably be YEARS before anything happens. I had heard somewhere though that the inmates were going to be waiting for him. I have no idea if that is true.
I also have no idea why the media latched onto this specific case. These type of crimes happen all over the U.S.
As for the death penalty, I could vote for it, IF there were concrete, direct evidence of that person committing the murder.
kjorg
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
sk0606
Newbie
Posts: 13
|
|
« Reply #10 on: December 16, 2004, 01:47:40 am » |
|
I too have been amazed at the media coverage. Since I'm in the SF Bay Area, I sort of expect to hear about it a lot. But I noticed it's also on the network news, the grocery store tabloids etc... I wonder if it was a woman of color would it have gotten the exposure?
I have a friend who said after seeing headlines of the Peterson case day after day... don't people want to know about the war? Why is this front page news? Her son is in Iraq.
I personally don't believe in the death penalty.
Some sobering stats:
American Military Deaths in Iraq: 1291
American Military Wounded: 9765
Iraqi Civilian Deaths: 14770
Does anyone know the UK stats? What about non-Iraqi civilians?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
spitfire78
|
|
« Reply #11 on: December 16, 2004, 04:18:18 pm » |
|
kjorg, I too was surprised (but pleased) at the conviction. I don't feel there was much hard evidence, mostly circumstantial. In my heart, I do believe that he is guilty, but looking at it from a legal standpoint, there's not much there to grab onto. I was shocked at the death penalty sentence for the same reason. There really is no "smoking gun" in this case. Under these circumstances, I know I couldn't have voted for the death penalty.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
