[BuffaloJack]

Whether it is a deterent or not is debateable, but it does eliminate repeat offenders.

[The Lumster]

Two words - Kenneth McDuff

[MinnesotaLibertarian]

I’m always amazed at the number of conservative who entrust the government with the power to kill.

[GOPJ]

Insightful post. Thanks.

[theDentist]

I've always considered the deterrance arguement to be a diversion, wasted energy. I don't think anyone can really prove whether the announced execution of some killer will cause others to re-think their actions. How do we know how many potential murder schemes were jettisoned by the plotter when he realized his own potential fate?

Now, whether a career criminal will rethink his potential crime.... I don't know. But I'd imagine once he's committed a murder, he'll have an attitude of 'they can only execute me once', and deterrance doesn't apply.

So, for criminals with nothing left to lose, it doesn't matter. For potential criminals... it may make all the difference.

[Inwoodian]

Some years ago in an Italian neighborhood in New York a nun was raped and murdered. The perpetrator remained at large for a couple of weeks with dwindling hope of his apprehension. It was then reported that some organized crime figures were also on the trail. The murderer then turned himself in to the police rather than face the sure prospect of being executed by the Mob.

[maine-iac7]

I was living in California in the 70's and my family was in law enforcement when the state struck down the death penalty.

Just in the jails alone, in the previous 12 years or so, 2 prison guards had been killed. In the first year after no death penalty, 12 were killed. And that was just in the prisons.the attitude seemed to be, if you are already a lifer, what's the penalty for killing a guard? Another life term?

I understand, a bit, why people think society shouldn't "kill" the killers - shouldn't take a life. It's a hard question, but the only question to be answered, after the reality of no deterrent to the killers, i.e, People ARE going to die - either the killers or more innocent people. So who's lives should be spared?

Californina got the message - and reinstated the death penalty

[3Lean]

“the risk of a criminal being executed for murder is so remote that, “It is hard to believe that fear of execution would be a driving force in a rational criminal’s calculus in modern America.”

Then we just need to raise the odds of a criminal being executed for murder to the point where everyone agrees that it is a deterrent - a true win-win situation

[RGPII]

http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1293237.html

South Dakota first execution in 60 years to occur this week.

The prisoner wants to die; from what the story says and did not appeal.

It’s been a long two days, I don’t always know what should be posted as separate if anyone cares too.