[wideawake]

the fact that a poor person is much more likely to be "worthy" of execution is indefensible.

Unless, of course, "poor" people (by whatever definition of "poor" is being used at the moment) are much more likely to commit first degree murder.

[HaveHadEnough]

Unless, of course, "poor" people (by whatever definition of "poor" is being used at the moment) are much more likely to commit first degree murder.

Maybe not. Assume that out of 100 execution eligible murders, 80 are committed by poor people. If 70 of those poor murderers are sentenced to death, but only 1 of the non-poor murderers are so sentenced, I think there is a problem.

[Rutles4Ever]

I'm referring to a comparison of first-degree murder representation, wherein the wealthy can hire the slickest, most experienced lawyer on the planet and avoid the death penalty while some dish-washer gets stuck with a somnabulist, state-provided defense attorney. Who do you think is going to the chair? Phil Spector or Joe Blow? You know, third class compartment on the Titanic, and all that...

[ReignOfError]

Unless, of course, "poor" people (by whatever definition of "poor" is being used at the moment) are much more likely to commit first degree murder.

They're definitely much more likely to have piss-poor lawyers.