Life Prison Sentences v/s Capital Punishment

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

You  didn't ask me - but I'm opposed to capital punishment, full stop. I don't know the case of the Perrywinkle child, but wouldn't support a death sentence in any case.

Are you for or against life imprisonment sentences?

I'm not 100% against life sentences - depending on the crime. I am against the idea of locking someone up for life and never reviewing the sentence, though. I think that a "life sentence" should be eligible for review at some point.

Fair enough.  And since we're going completely off topic for the subject, I'm starting a new thread.

I'm sure you're at least familiar with the Aurora, CO shootings that happened a while back, the verdict is in - Life w/ no Parole.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/07/us/james-holmes-movie-theater-shooting-jury/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_latest+(RSS%3A+CNN+-+Most+Recent)

The guy murdered 12 people.  That's 12 families that will never get a chance to have any contact with the loved one that they lost. 

Why should he and his family be spared that feeling?  What purpose does the life sentence serve?  If he lives to 100, then that becomes a 70 year burden on the taxpayers, supporting someone who will never see another day outside of a correctional facility. 

I'm of the opinion that there are two types of crime - crime of intent and crime of circumstance, the latter typically being under a state of impairment or just with the wrong people at the wrong time.  Crimes of intent are just that.  He left the house with an intent to kill people that night.  After it was determined that he was not mentally impaired, the punishment should have reflected that and he should have not been given the lenience of the jury's decision. 

[Adam White]

I'm opposed to killing - regardless of who's doing the killing. There's also the fact that police, prosecutors, judges and juries can make mistakes - but regardless, I'm opposed to killing.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I'm opposed to killing - regardless of who's doing the killing. There's also the fact that police, prosecutors, judges and juries can make mistakes - but regardless, I'm opposed to killing.

I can respect that even though I don't agree.

It just so happens, based off what I've read, that the reason his life was spared was due to a single juror that wouldn't agree to the death penalty.  Reportedly, 1 was completely against, 2 were on the fence and the other 9 were for it. 

[CCMjax]

I'm opposed to killing - regardless of who's doing the killing. There's also the fact that police, prosecutors, judges and juries can make mistakes - but regardless, I'm opposed to killing.

I can respect that even though I don't agree.

It just so happens, based off what I've read, that the reason his life was spared was due to a single juror that wouldn't agree to the death penalty.  Reportedly, 1 was completely against, 2 were on the fence and the other 9 were for it.

Yes, death sentences are required to be unanimous since it is such a serious verdict.  I would have supported the death penalty in this case as long as that is what the victims' families wanted.  In the case of the Boston bombings, some of the victims and victims' families did not want him to get the death penalty because they did not want him to be considered a martyr.

[Adam White]

I'm opposed to killing - regardless of who's doing the killing. There's also the fact that police, prosecutors, judges and juries can make mistakes - but regardless, I'm opposed to killing.

I can respect that even though I don't agree.

It just so happens, based off what I've read, that the reason his life was spared was due to a single juror that wouldn't agree to the death penalty.  Reportedly, 1 was completely against, 2 were on the fence and the other 9 were for it.

I think (for me) it's a lot easier to justify the death penalty in really clear-cut cases like this one (or the Lee Rigby killing, etc). But not all murder cases are so lacking in grey areas.

[Adam White]

I'm opposed to killing - regardless of who's doing the killing. There's also the fact that police, prosecutors, judges and juries can make mistakes - but regardless, I'm opposed to killing.

I can respect that even though I don't agree.

It just so happens, based off what I've read, that the reason his life was spared was due to a single juror that wouldn't agree to the death penalty.  Reportedly, 1 was completely against, 2 were on the fence and the other 9 were for it.

Yes, death sentences are required to be unanimous since it is such a serious verdict.  I would have supported the death penalty in this case as long as that is what the victims' families wanted.  In the case of the Boston bombings, some of the victims and victims' families did not want him to get the death penalty because they did not want him to be considered a martyr.

About 12 years ago, a friend's father was shot and killed by his girlfriend's jealous ex. He fled and was eventually caught (years later). My friend was devastated by his father's death (as you would expect him to be) but still didn't want the killer to get the death penalty. I think he did, though.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

In the case of the Boston bombings, some of the victims and victims' families did not want him to get the death penalty because they did not want him to be considered a martyr.

About 12 years ago, a friend's father was shot and killed by his girlfriend's jealous ex. He fled and was eventually caught (years later). My friend was devastated by his father's death (as you would expect him to be) but still didn't want the killer to get the death penalty. I think he did, though.

Regarding specific cases when capital punishment would even be considered an option, what would your opinions be if the judicial process were allowed to play out - as is, and then move into a separate sentencing trial that would would decided by the victims / immediate surviving family?

Understandably, some would probably not want to bear that decision or even be a part of it, but I believe that many would.  I wonder if the ability to have a say in the punishment of the offender would offer some actual closure or if would be unfair to ask them to have to make that decision?

[The_Choose_1]

You  didn't ask me - but I'm opposed to capital punishment, full stop. I don't know the case of the Perrywinkle child, but wouldn't support a death sentence in any case.

Are you for or against life imprisonment sentences?

I'm not 100% against life sentences - depending on the crime. I am against the idea of locking someone up for life and never reviewing the sentence, though. I think that a "life sentence" should be eligible for review at some point.

Fair enough.  And since we're going completely off topic for the subject, I'm starting a new thread.

I'm sure you're at least familiar with the Aurora, CO shootings that happened a while back, the verdict is in - Life w/ no Parole.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/07/us/james-holmes-movie-theater-shooting-jury/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_latest+(RSS%3A+CNN+-+Most+Recent)

The guy murdered 12 people.  That's 12 families that will never get a chance to have any contact with the loved one that they lost. 

Why should he and his family be spared that feeling?  What purpose does the life sentence serve?  If he lives to 100, then that becomes a 70 year burden on the taxpayers, supporting someone who will never see another day outside of a correctional facility. 

I'm of the opinion that there are two types of crime - crime of intent and crime of circumstance, the latter typically being under a state of impairment or just with the wrong people at the wrong time.  Crimes of intent are just that.  He left the house with an intent to kill people that night.  After it was determined that he was not mentally impaired, the punishment should have reflected that and he should have not been given the lenience of the jury's decision.

Dear N.R.W. THE JURORS IN COLORADO said life in prison. Even if it was one juror that said no it's the way the law is for Colorado. Case Closed!

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Dear N.R.W. THE JURORS IN COLORADO said life in prison. Even if it was one juror that said no it's the way the law is for Colorado. Case Closed!

Dear TC1, Please excuse yourself for a bit, some adults were having a discussion.  Your input is noted.  Thanks.

[The_Choose_1]

Dear N.R.W. THE JURORS IN COLORADO said life in prison. Even if it was one juror that said no it's the way the law is for Colorado. Case Closed!

Dear TC1, Please excuse yourself for a bit, some adults were having a discussion.  Your input is noted.  Thanks.

Screw you and your know it all attitude I'm 53 years old and my Opinion is just as good as yours!

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Dear N.R.W. THE JURORS IN COLORADO said life in prison. Even if it was one juror that said no it's the way the law is for Colorado. Case Closed!

Dear TC1, Please excuse yourself for a bit, some adults were having a discussion.  Your input is noted.  Thanks.

Screw you and your know it all attitude I'm 53 years old and my Opinion is just as good as yours!

My apologies.

Dear Mr./Ms. TC1,

If you would like to have a discussion with the adults, then feel free to bring your opinion, but please leave your 'declarative statements' at the door.  They're as unwelcome as know-it-alls.

Thanks again.

[I-10east]

I have no problem with capital punishment for heinous offenders, and I'm not going to be shamed by some bleeding hearts for not giving a damn about evil people.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I have no problem with capital punishment for heinous offenders, and I'm not going to be shamed by some bleeding hearts for not giving a damn about evil people.

So you're on a jury and the defendant is clearly guilty.  No question.  On that jury is 1 person who is adamantly against CP.  How do you try and persuade them?

[AKIRA]

I'm not sure you can talk someone out of that position against CP.  The point of view is so tighlty tied to core beliefs that you would have to unravel an entire belief structure to change that mind.

[The_Choose_1]

I'm not sure you can talk someone out of that position against CP.  The point of view is so tighlty tied to core beliefs that you would have to unravel an entire belief structure to change that mind.

Bravo!! Bravo!! Bravo!!  I agree 100% with what you just said.