Santorum rethinks death penalty stance

Pitt Post ^ | 3/22/05 | ann rodgers

[writmeister]

Here, in Texas, we have a statute that permits defendants to file post-conviction motions for DNA testing and to have an attorney appointed to assist them.

When the statute first passed, there was a flood of DNA testing requests. However, as nearly all the DNA testing has re-affirmed the convictions, the reuqest rate has substantially slowed.

[writmeister]

That should be the request rate has substantially slowed.

Spell check is our friend.

[AmishDude]

If there's no death penalty, here's what happens: What should be the penalty for rape? Life? If so, every rapist will kill his victim and every witness. Even if rarely applied, the threat of the death penalty

OK, that means rape has to get a low enough penalty not to make it equivalent to murder. 20 years? Well, this cascades down. Europe suffers from this today.

[twigs]

Don't agree. While I still support the death penalty, I have reconsidered it too. I don't believe that re-thinking something as serious as the death penalty is a sign of weakness.

[sgtbono2002]

The only problem with the death penalty is the time it takes to get it carried out.

[AmericanChef]

-"I agree with the pope that in the civilized world ... the application of the death penalty should be limited.-

In a civilized world we wouldn't have to deal with killers and rapists, but we aren't civilized, not really, so off with their heads, I say.

[13foxtrot]

The only problem with the death penalty is the time it takes to get it carried out.

So your plan is to kill the innocents who have been improperly convicted before they can appeal?

Great plan. I think that is how it works in Red China.

[pissant]

If there is good evidence that shows we are executing innocent people, then act on that evidence to correct it. Fixing a problem (assuming there is one) is not the same thing to "rethinking" the death penalty.

If 20 people a year die from accidental police shootings, you put procedures in to help prevent accidental shootings, you don't take away the cops gun.

[pissant]

2 appeals then execution within 5 years.

[13foxtrot]

2 appeals then execution within 5 years.

One problem...the average time from death penalty conviction to exoneration has been over 9 years.

[hunter112]

...I would prefer life without parole as the standard.

That's how you get life without parole, hand out the death penalty, then when the scumbag's shyster gets it reduced to life, they stop the appeals process.

[PISANO]

Yeah right.........what we need is more tax payer monies to house the likes of Manson, the Ice Man, and all the nameless pedophile/rapist murderers.

The ONLY way I would change my mind against the death penalty would be if they were given life without ANY possiblility of parole AND that HARD LABOR was MANDATED WITH NO AMENITIES...NO TV no BOOKS etc etc.

That being said I am all for the means of death for all death row inmates to be changed to the Terri Shaivo method.

[codercpc]

I also have been reconsidering my position on the death penalty.

Living in Wisconsin, I never gave it too much thought (we don't have it here). I always assumed I was for it. But, in the past couple of years, I have been thinking of it more and more. I have hesitation when I see that generally, if you are a rich person, you are spared the death penalty, but if you can't afford good representation you are more likely to get it. DNA evidence becoming more prevalent has caused some reconsideration also.

One case that stuck out in my mind was the OJ Simpson case. Although he was ultimately acquitted (which I don't agree with), I will always remember the prosecution announcing that they weren't even pursuing the death penalty because they figured it would be harder to get a conviction if the death penalty was on the table. To me that was blatantly unfair. I think that we should have a set of laws that say if you commit such and such a murder, and you are convicted you get the death penalty. It should be across the board. Anything so arbitrarily used can not be fair. And for me that is a moral problem.

I will never change my opinion of the death penalty in cases of mass murder, and I will feel comfort when I see someone like the child molester Couley put to death, but something must be done.

[jcb8199]

Agreed. Goes along with the "Culture of Life."

In most cases, the person may just as well serve life without parole--costs less, and doesn't resort to state-sanctioned killing. Retributive killing is never the answer--if anything, it lets him off easy. He doesn't have to live with the guilt for 40 years.

[mull]

I've had my own reservations about the death penalty, though I'd never object to introducing scum like Couey to some of his fellow prisoners. I'm sure that "death penalty process" wouldn't take nearly as long.

[DTogo]

Death by a needle is too easy, while death by "cruel and unusual punishment" is unconstitutional. Hence, I opt for banishment to a very desolate hard labor gulag, with no privileges and little hope of ever receiving a visitor.

[avenir]

"When the statute first passed, there was a flood of DNA testing requests. However, as nearly all the DNA testing has re-affirmed the convictions..."

This truth nixes the shadowy wondering about miscarriages of justice: there are few.

[sgtbono2002]

So your plan is to assume what my plan is Nice move. yeah sometimes its 20 years before the sentence is carried out , I guess you think thats about right.

[13foxtrot]

yeah sometimes its 20 years before the sentence is carried out , I guess you think thats about right.

Since 1973 there have been at least 7 folks exonerated after serving 20 or more years on death row.

[sgtbono2002]

Exonerated, but were they guilty? Yes with most witnesses dead evidence 20 years old , other witnesses who cant be found, memories that have grown old, Yes if they can get a new trial after 20 years their chances of being exonerated are pretty good.