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Missouri Executes Cecil Clayton, Cop Killer Missing Part of Brain
NBC News ^ | Tracy Connor

Posted on 03/17/2015 9:02:00 PM PDT by nickcarraway

Missouri cop killer Cecil Clayton was executed Tuesday night after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected arguments he should be spared because he was missing a piece of his brain.

Clayton, who at 74 was the state's oldest death-row prisoner, was pronounced dead at 9:21 pm CT, eight minutes after his lethal injection was administered, prison officials said in a statement.

"They brought me up here to execute me," he said in his final statement.

Clayton was convicted of murdering sheriff's deputy Chris Castetter after a domestic disturbance in 1996. His case drew extra attention because of his brain injury, the result of a 1972 sawmill accident that forced doctors to remove one-fifth of his frontal lobe. His lawyers contended the damage not only sparked a massive personality change that may have turned him into a killer, but also rendered him mentally incompetent and therefore ineligible for capital punishment.

"Cecil Clayton had — literally — a hole in his head," his attorney, Elizabeth Unger Carlyle, said in a statement after the execution. "Executing him without a hearing violated the Constitution, Missouri law and basic human dignity.

"He suffered from severe mental illness and dementia related to his age and multiple brain injuries," she added. "The world will not be a safer place because Mr. Clayton has been executed."

Missouri had argued that medical experts found Clayton understood why he was being executed and that meant he was competent to face the needle. They argued that his intellectual deficits had to be present before he turned 18 to let him escape execution and that he waited too long to raise his claim.

Castetter's brother said in a statement that he had no doubt Clayton was in his right mind.

"We know this execution isn't going to bring Chris back," he said. "But it destroys an evil person that would otherwise be walking this earth."

Clayton's 11th-hour appeals delayed his execution for several hours. But ultimately, none of the U.S. Supreme Court justices accepted his claims arguments for a stay based on his brain injury.

Four justices from the liberal wing did say they would have granted a stay based on his claim that Missouri's secrecy-shrouded process for obtaining the lethal dose of pentobarbital could lead to an unconstitutional death.

Gov. Jay Nixon also denied him clemency in the final minutes, saying he agreed with the state's assessment that Clayton was competent.

"This crime was brutal and there exists no question of Clayton's guilt," he said in a statement.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Government; US: Missouri
KEYWORDS: crime; deathpenalty; missouri
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To: PapaNew

I don’t know. It’s only recently that I’ve come to lose some faith in our justice system.


161 posted on 03/18/2015 4:29:14 PM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: trisham

Well, I believe in our justice system although the penal code and prison system are way antiquated. By-and-large, we have the finest justice system in the world. Sometimes it takes a trip and maybe a stay elsewhere to see the value of what we have in this country. But just like anything, as long as people are fallible, nothing will be perfect.

Also, things would be better if people had more faith and trust in God and less in man.


162 posted on 03/18/2015 4:42:34 PM PDT by PapaNew (The grace of God & freedom always win the debate in the forum of ideas over unjust law & government)
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To: PapaNew

My opposition to the death penalty is based more on practicality. To me, there’s none of the circus and liberal media/celebrity crap involved with life in prison, and watching a scumbag die in a 5x7 cell when he’s old is more enjoyable. I would support the death penalty in extreme instances, such as serial killers and killers of law enforcement and children.


163 posted on 03/18/2015 4:50:45 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
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To: PapaNew; free_life; P-Marlowe
I know this: vengeance will not have assuaged my hatred nor sorrow

Capital punishment is not vengeance. It is the only punishment that emphasizes the extreme sacredness of innocent life. When death is not exacted in non-extenuation murder crimes, then permission is given to commit atrocity against more innocent life.

So, it's not about vengeance. It's not about deterrence. It's about valuation and recompense.

Does God send unbelievers to hell?

164 posted on 03/18/2015 5:14:34 PM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It -- Those Who Truly Support Our Troops Pray for Their Victory!)
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist
I would support the death penalty in extreme instances, such as serial killers and killers of law enforcement and children.

Ok, so my life isn't as valuable as a law enforcement officer or a child? “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” Gotcha!

165 posted on 03/18/2015 5:27:28 PM PDT by 2nd amendment mama ( www.2asisters.org | Self defense is a basic human right!)
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To: xzins; free_life
It's about valuation and recompense.

How does the death penalty uphold value and who is recompensed?

Does God send unbelievers to hell?

Actually, no, those who refuse the free gift of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ send themselves to hell. It isn't God's will that any should perish.

166 posted on 03/18/2015 5:28:13 PM PDT by PapaNew (The grace of God & freedom always win the debate in the forum of ideas over unjust law & government)
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To: PapaNew

It upholds the value of life, and that there is no way to repay for a murder.

So, you believe in hell. And this is better than a death sentence how?


167 posted on 03/18/2015 5:31:31 PM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It -- Those Who Truly Support Our Troops Pray for Their Victory!)
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To: xzins; free_life

Jesus already went to hell so no one else would have to. I know that people being in hell is a very sad thing for God, but He did all he could through his Son. He never takes away free will.


168 posted on 03/18/2015 5:33:54 PM PDT by PapaNew (The grace of God & freedom always win the debate in the forum of ideas over unjust law & government)
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To: xzins
It upholds the value of life

Killing is a strange way of affirming life. I think that's what they say in the abortion clinics.

there is no way to repay for a murder

So no one is compensated? So how is the death penalty about recompense?

169 posted on 03/18/2015 5:40:53 PM PDT by PapaNew (The grace of God & freedom always win the debate in the forum of ideas over unjust law & government)
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To: PapaNew; P-Marlowe
"Jesus already went to hell..."

Again, you are justifying ETERNAL capital punishment in hell. How is that different?

170 posted on 03/18/2015 6:11:44 PM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It -- Those Who Truly Support Our Troops Pray for Their Victory!)
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To: PapaNew; P-Marlowe
"Killing is a strange way of affirming life."

It affirms the VALUE of life. There is no punishment that approaches the value of a life. The only equal payment for murdering a life is a life.

Not to require that life payment is to say that the first life was not valuable. That encourages murder.

Is 50 years in jail a fair trade for your child's life?

171 posted on 03/18/2015 6:15:58 PM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It -- Those Who Truly Support Our Troops Pray for Their Victory!)
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To: xzins

The gift of eternal life is a choice, as is eternal damnation. Why anyone would choose the latter, is beyond my ability to understand, yet choose it, they do.


172 posted on 03/18/2015 6:18:17 PM PDT by Graybeard58
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To: Graybeard58; PapaNew

I have no problem with that theology, Graybeard58. I’m talking to one who does not believe in capital punishment for brutal murder.

I’m asking if eternal damnation is not also capital punishment.


173 posted on 03/18/2015 6:24:57 PM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It -- Those Who Truly Support Our Troops Pray for Their Victory!)
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To: xzins
The only equal payment for murdering a life is a life.

Jesus Christ already made that payment.

Is 50 years in jail a fair trade for your child's life?

Does an eye for an eye bring you closure and peace? You might want to check with the families of victims about that.

174 posted on 03/18/2015 6:26:29 PM PDT by PapaNew (The grace of God & freedom always win the debate in the forum of ideas over unjust law & government)
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To: PapaNew

You are not talking about civil government when you talk about Jesus sacrifice for sin.

You avoided the question. Is your child’s life worth 50 years in prison? Do you consider that an equal trade?

Is it an equal trade if you give me a thousand dollars and I give you 50 dollars?


175 posted on 03/18/2015 6:29:07 PM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It -- Those Who Truly Support Our Troops Pray for Their Victory!)
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To: PapaNew

I’ve known real life mafia men afraid of death penalty

That’s all I have to go on

Life in prison is just fine for alpha prisoners

Just observances


176 posted on 03/18/2015 6:41:46 PM PDT by wardaddy (Dems hate western civilization and GOP are cowards...We are headed to a dark place)
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To: xzins
I’m asking if eternal damnation is not also capital punishment.

Capital punishment cannot be compared to eternal damnation. One is imposed by men on a man and damnation is imposed on oneself and is infinitely a worse end than capital punishment, actually, it's not even an "end" as it never ends.

Death, through capital punishment, imposed by men is, in theory, unavoidable, eternal damnation is easily avoidable.

177 posted on 03/18/2015 6:48:02 PM PDT by Graybeard58
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To: xzins

I’m not avoiding your question but why don’t you try answering a question first for a change: Does an eye for an eye bring you closure and peace?


178 posted on 03/18/2015 6:49:34 PM PDT by PapaNew (The grace of God & freedom always win the debate in the forum of ideas over unjust law & government)
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To: wardaddy

I suppose. Aren’t they just as afraid of dying in prison?


179 posted on 03/18/2015 6:50:42 PM PDT by PapaNew (The grace of God & freedom always win the debate in the forum of ideas over unjust law & government)
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To: Graybeard58

Off to bed, will answer replies tomorrow.

By the way, wife and 15 year old son really sick, prayers appreciated


180 posted on 03/18/2015 6:51:26 PM PDT by Graybeard58
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