[wildbill]

This article brings up several questions:

1. Should all murderers be executed with no exceptions? Should all murders carry a sentence of death or life without parole?

2. Do we accept the theory of rehabilitation or, if you are religious, redemption?

3. Assuming his resume is correct, why shouldn't he be able to work at a job where he can use his professional training--or should he be limited to menial jobs forever as a form of punishment?

4. Would his conviction as a murderer 40 years ago carry over into the classroom, turning his students into murderers, either by osmosis or by diabolical teaching?

5. Even if we assume a miscarriage of justice, should we thank God for his redemption and point him out as a role model for other prisoners so that they can hope for a better life if paroled and if they work hard at reintegrating themselves into society.

[Bonaparte]

"Should all murderers be executed with no exceptions?"

No. For example, a guy who crushes another guy's skull after grabbing a nearby stool during a drunken sports argument in a bar, should serve 20 years. But a guy like Kreuger who cold-bloodedly murders 3 innocent fishermen, pumping no less than 40 bullets into their bodies, deserves the gallows.

"Do we accept the theory of rehabilitation or, if you are religious, redemption?"

Those who choose to rehabilitate (habilitate?) themselves are welcome to do so. But the purpose of the penal system is punishment. That's why it's called "penal." The same goes for accepting redemption. That's up to the individual and can proceed under any and all circumstances. However, the figures for recidivism are not encouraging.

"Assuming his resume is correct, why shouldn't he be able to work at a job where he can use his professional training..."

He has every legal right to do so and the university has every right to hire him. He's has apparently kept out of trouble for 24 years. Some of us may be personally offended by the presence of this cold-blooded (but lucky) killer among us, but it's not much different in that respect from the OJ Simpson situation. Even Cochran knows the guy should have swung, but there he is, putting on some Florida green (when he's not assaulting motorists).

"Would his conviction as a murderer 40 years ago carry over into the classroom...?"

I doubt anybody would seriously maintain this.

"Even if we assume a miscarriage of justice, should we thank God for his redemption and point him out as a role model for other prisoners...?"

I'm not at all sure that he's availed himself of his redemption, not in the sense that he's accepted Jesus as his personal Savior, repented in his heart and turned his life over to Him. But if he's kept himself on the straight and narrow for 24 years, there's no question that he makes a fine example to other convicts. Perhaps he should spend some time to this end, visiting with "matriculees" at his old "alma mater" in Huntsville.