Kelly Gissendaner Executed in Georgia After Courts Deny Stay Requests

ABC ^ | 30 SEPT 2015 | EMILY SHAPIRO

[South40]

Kelly Gissendaner, the only woman on Georgia's death row, was executed early Wednesday, authorities said.

The execution came after Georgia's Supreme Court, the U.S. Supreme Court and a federal appeals court all denied requests for a stay of execution.

Gissendaner, who was convicted of orchestrating her husband's murder almost 20 years ago, died by lethal injection at 12:21 a.m. Wednesday.

[Trapped Behind Enemy Lines]

True.

There is a lot to this case. It was a crime of passion. The person who did the actual murder received a lighter sentence. The woman was a mother and was remorseful. I could have found sympathy in this case. I found it moving that she sang Amazing Grace right before her execution. I think there were some mitigating factors in this particular case. Mrs. Gissendaner clearly made some tactical errors by not agreeing to plea bargains which ultimately cost her life. This is sad. I continue to support the death penalty for the most heinous of crimes. But I think it is instances such as these which will help bring the end of the death penalty in this country.

[Albion Wilde]

I think it is instances such as these which will help bring the end of the death penalty in this country.

The trouble with such a sweeping statement is that there are genuinely compelling reasons to execute some people; for instance, why do we allow armed insurgent revolutionaries such as Nidal Hassan to remain in prison where they have a lifetime to incite rage and hatred against the nation among the other prisoners who will receive parole and go out to inflict mayhem on another group of victims? Same with the theater shooter and many, many other terrorist mass murderers. They need to be extinguished for the good of the entire nation.

[Albion Wilde]

I am always uneasy about executing mothers.

But the father had primary custody; so there may have been some mess with her as a mother for some time before. Infidelity, for one possibility. Wasn't thinking of her kids then.

RIP, Douglas Gissendaner. You looked like a decent guy, and your kids loved you very much.

Murdered: 'He was my primary caregiver, and he always made sure that my brothers and I came first,' said Kayla Gissendaner in her statement about her father Douglas (pictured) . 'He made sure we knew what it meant to be unconditionally loved. The night my father was murdered the world was changed'

[Trapped Behind Enemy Lines]

This is precisely what troubles me. Kelly Gissendaner gets executed for a crime of passion, the actual killer gets a lesser sentence. And yes, I am very troubled that brutal monsters such as Charles Manson, Nidal Hassan, the Colorado movie shooter get prison sentences.

I strongly support the death penalty. And I would pull the switch myself on the three monsters mentioned above. I think we need a death penalty precisely for such evil monsters and serial killers. I would not have pulled the switch on Kelly Gissendaner.

[Trapped Behind Enemy Lines]

Not saying Kelly Gissendaner was innocent. Clearly guilty and deserving of a severe punishment. I am saying a life sentence for her would have sufficed IMHO.

[South40]

This is precisely what troubles me. Kelly Gissendaner gets executed for a crime of passion,

She conspired to murder him so she could collect insurance money. How is that a "crime of passion"?

[Mom MD]

If Christ is against the death penalty why did He pay it for us?

[FJB]

“But I think it is instances such as these which will help bring the end of the death penalty in this country.”

This is ultimately the most important public policy issue that this case implicates. Gross disparity, coupled with errors about factual guilt and incompetent attorneys who urge clients to go to trial against hopeless odds, all converge on the conclusion that the criminal justice system is a blunt instrument which is so deeply flawed that there should always be the possibility of reversing misguided sentencing decisions when they occur. This means, of course, that some defendants who deserve the death penalty will receive life sentences, but that is a reasonable price to pay as long as such an error-ridden system operates on what is essentially a hit-or-miss basis. Yes, under present circumstances, and until or unless substantial improvement occurs, an enlightened society would abolish the death penalty, as has occurred in some other developed countries. To do otherwise would be tantamount to remaining in the primitive, backward state that this case reflects.

[Albion Wilde]

I think it is instances such as these which will help bring the end of the death penalty in this country....

This is precisely what troubles me. Kelly Gissendaner gets executed for a crime of passion, the actual killer gets a lesser sentence.

I strongly support the death penalty... we need a death penalty precisely for ... evil monsters and serial killers....Not saying Kelly Gissendaner was innocent. Clearly guilty and deserving of a severe punishment. I am saying a life sentence for her would have sufficed IMHO.

Now I understand. I was commenting on the danger of a one-size-fits-all rule such as abolishing the death penalty entirely. Your earlier post about "the end of the death penalty" was not clear as to your position; but now you've made yourself clear.

[Trapped Behind Enemy Lines]

Thanks.

I want to reaffirm that I am firm supporter of the death penalty.

However, if it is used in cases such as this, I do think it will eventually be done away with altogether in the US.

Just my opinion. I would have had serious reservations pulling the switch on Kelly Gissendaner. In fact, I wouldn’t have never done it myself.

[sport]

Her first error was murdering her husband. Perhaps you can find enough sympathy to bring her innocent husband back from the grave. I am willing to go way out on a limb and say that he would appreciate that.

[Trapped Behind Enemy Lines]

I have not said she is innocent and doesn’t deserve a severe punishment. I do not think she should receive a punishment even more severe than the actual killer. She has shown considerable contrition, asked for forgiveness, admitted her guilt, and most importantly brought the Lord into her life. I cannot ignore that. I wish we would execute folks such as Manson, Hassan, the Boston bomber, the 911 terrorists, the Colorado shooter instead of this person.

[sport]

And on that we agree. And I might have misunderstood the gist of your post. I am good at that[misunderstanding posts]. Also, I put my fingers in gear before I put my brain in gear when I responded to you. I was out of line and I apologize.

[Trapped Behind Enemy Lines]

No worries.

God bless.

[kalee]

The boyfriend wanted her to get a divorce, but she wanted her husband dead. He took the plea deal and will be eligible for parole in 2022, she chose to go to trial and got the death penalty.

[NCLaw441]

I empathize with your concern about the death penalty in this case. But I can’t agree with some of the reasons that you might oppose its use here. The fact that she was a mother is tragic, but should it mean that no mother should ever face the death penalty? Remorse is commendable, I suppose, however I don’t think that after the fact actions can erase what was done or the intent at the time. And of course remorse makes perfect sense— when you get caught. I am happy that she appears to have come to have faith in God, and to partake of the Amazing Grace Christ provides, even to killers and other sinners (such as I).

As for plea bargains, I know that they are necessary in order to keep the criminal justice system going, but in cases of capital murder, I am not sure justice is best served by such deals.

[oldvirginian]

Thank you for the information.
This is the first time I remember hearing about this case.

Her boyfriend should have listened to that small, quiet voice and walked away.
Now he has prison time to contemplate his future.
At least he will have the opportunity to give something back to society if he makes parole.

The wife, on the other hand, will most likely spend the rest of eternity paying for her crime.
Though God does offer his own parole at some point in time.

Your handle, kalee, reminds me of the character Kaylee on Firefly.
Probably my favorite scifi show of all time.
I have loved the name and it’s variations ever since the show was on.

[Trapped Behind Enemy Lines]

Also, as someone who actually supports the death penalty, I am concerned that executions such as this could erode public support for the death penalty.

[NorthMountain]

Charles Manson

Charles Manson was sentenced to death in 1971. The California Supreme Court declared the death penalty unconstitutional in 1972, thus reducing his sentence to life in prison, with 10(?) year parole hearings.

Just to set the record straight.

[Trapped Behind Enemy Lines]

You are exactly correct.

Manson was sentenced to death along with the rest of his co-defendants and fellow murderers.

None were executed thanks to the courts.

This is my issue. Charles Manson a serial murder gets a life prison and celebrity status-—he even recently received permission to marry.