Mercy For Killer Who Says He Didn’t Mean To?

The Christian Diarist ^ | April 3, 2013 | JP

[CHRISTIAN DIARIST]

There are convicted killers who have come to repentance, who deserve to have their death sentences reduced to life in prison. Smith isn't one of those.

[Westbrook]

Too bad.

In a few years, sex with infants, family members, animals, and even farm tractors, will be perfectly legal.

[ZirconEncrustedTweezers]

If I had a child and someone did this to him or her, all I’ll say is may God have mercy on him. Because I will not.

[Vigilanteman]

Trash like this just needs to be incarcerated with the general prison population while the guard staff takes a pre-announced break.

Its up to the state to send trash like this to meet their maker. Its up to God to sort them out.

[DoodleDawg]

He deserves what’s coming to him May 1.

He deserved it 15 years ago.

[Mr. K]

Commute his sentence to life, and put him in General Population.

Problem Solved.

[rarestia]

Oh dear GOD! This man is disgusting and should’ve been killed in prison!

He was upset his girlfriend wouldn’t have sex with him so he exacted revenge by sexually assaulting her 6 month old daughter for up to 30 minutes?!?!

I’ve been completely blasted on booze before. I’ve done some incredibly stupid things. But never in my entire life under the influence of any amount of booze, have I EVER entertained the idea of sexually assaulting anyone or anything, let alone an infant!

This man is beyond redemption.

[OldNavyVet]

The Commandment “Thou shalt not kill” seriously needs some rational justice thought.

[Mark17]

“Steve is basically a decent person,” Wilhelm, his public defender,

They forgot to say he was turning his life around, he was an aspiring rapper, yada, yada, yada.

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

There are convicted killers who have come to repentance, who deserve to have their death sentences reduced to life in prison.

I disagree. If someone come to repentence and puts their faith in Christ after committing a capital offense, then I believe that the Lord is merciful and forgiving. The Lord will prepare them a place in eternal life for them to worship him.

However, the blood that washes away all sin doesn't erase the past in this life. In the words of Everett from O Brother, Where art thou?:

"Even if that did put you square with the Lord, the State of Mississippi's a little more hard-nosed."

I believe if you are sentenced to death due to irrefutable evidence for a capital offense, then you need to die at the hands of the State in order for justice to be served.

[SeaHawkFan]

If this guy was truly repentant, he would follow Wesley Allen Dodd’s example. There can be no doubt that Dodd was truly repentant.

[left that other site]

Absolutely.

The “Good thief’ still ended up being executed for his crimes, although that very day he go to be with Jesus in paradise.

When somebody tries to escape punishment because they say God has forgiven them, I am suspicious. A truly repentant person would understand the harm they committed and would forward to heaven.

I hope I don’t come across as “harsh”. It’s just my opinion.

[SeaHawkFan]

That is exactly what Wesley Allen Dodd willingly and proactively did.

[bellwether_blues]

It's not actually translated “Thou shalt not kill”, it's more like “Thou shalt not commit murder.” God is always the same... and He wouldn't have Israel “kill” their enemies and then turn around and say don't “kill” anybody.

[Pining_4_TX]

Repentance makes one right with God, but it does not remove the civil penalty for the crime. Repentant or not (and I doubt that he is), a person convicted of a crime must still pay the penalty meted out by the justice system. God will deal with their eternal destination.

[Pining_4_TX]

The proper translation is “murder”, not “kill”. The state wields the power of the sword and should definitely use it in this case.

[Rusty0604]

I don't think there's enough alcohol that cause 99.9% of the lowest of men to do such a vile act.

[Sloth]

“Steve is basically a decent person,” Wilhelm, his public defender, told the Ohio Parole Board yesterday.

I believe that at this point I would have asked for an example of someone who is not a "decent person" so I could tell the difference.

[clee1]

If this had been my child, the death penalty would already have been applied. Slowly and painfully.....

[Phillyred]

Liberals always tell us death penalty is not a deterrent. Then why do every last one of these dirt bags do everything in their power to get out of it?