CAPITAL PUNISHMENT: Firing Squad

deathpenaltyinfo.org ^ | 2006

[Nailbiter]

ping to 15

[esoxmagnum]

I'd choose death by Snoo-Snoo for myself

[Mike Darancette]

One bullet to the back of the head. - Done.

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

The only use of the proverbial 16-ton weight, that I know of, was the Salem witch trials where a man was sentenced to be "pressed" under a large slab. Given a sizable iron weight dropped from a fair height, it would be pretty darn quick (if that's the definition of humane they want to use). Pretty easy cleanup too, just hose the room down, and a fill a drum from the catch basin with the remains. ;-)

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

Of course what the founders had in mind with the term "cruel and unusual" had to do with justice that was in recipricol "just" with the crime. That is any form of execution for murder could not by definition be "cruel and unusual". OTOH, execution for petty theft is exactly what they meant by a "cruel and unusual" punishment.

[GladesGuru]

When Lavoisier (sp) was guillotined, he had an agreement with the doctor who attended such executions. Fifteen seconds after the head was severed, the doctor called the executed's name and the eyes in the severed head opened and focused on the doctor, then closed. This occurred fifteen seconds later upon repetition fifteen seconds later. The third time there was no response.

Therefore, we can assume the head to be capable of response for at least 20-30 seconds after beheading.

[GladesGuru]

Pressing was done by adding weights, not by sudden impact/crushing.