HE SAYS:
I have, in the past, in “Death Penalty, Murder or Social Justice?” made a logical argument in support of my opinion that the death penalty is an appropriate response to the harm done to society by cold blooded killers. However, the death penalty is a subject that cannot be fully addressed by logic since it carries with it many emotional, religious and moral issues. Therefore, this time around, I would like to explain my support for the death penalty by expressing my very personal feelings on the subject.
It was asked, what harm does murder and murderers do to our society? In addition to the obvious harm it causes to the victim and the victim’s family and friends, it has an indelible effect on many other people who feel empathy for them. Also, as a practical matter, as long as the perpetrator is at large (and this can be years in the case of some serial killers) it has a dramatic effect on society in the form of stress, anxiety, and the limitations it imposes on the lifestyles and activities of those who are caused to now live in fear. Even when caught and sentenced to life in prison, these violent criminals do not stop wreaking havoc on society. Since they have nothing to lose, they become lifelong jailhouse criminals posing a constant danger to the guards and other prison employees and to any unsuspecting bystanders they may encounter if they should ever escape. For me, it is clear that society would be much better off and much better able to function properly if these violent criminals were subject to a death penalty.
Some will say that taking any human life is morally objectionable despite how evil that person may be and that the death penalty is not a humane way for society to behave. It may become easy for death penalty opponents sitting in the comfort of their cloistered homes and offices and even for the jurors sitting in the austere sanctuary of a courtroom to feel sympathy for these murderers after their lawyers have cleaned them up, put them on their best behavior, and expounded on their troubled minds and lives.
I wonder if it would be a different story if these death penalty opponents could be miraculously transported to the scene of the crime as it was happening and were able to feel the abject terror and pain of the child who was raped, tortured and killed or feel the panic and fear of the innocent people being slaughtered by a mass murderer who meticulously planned his attack to cause the most carnage, and then could actually step into the shoes of the murderer and experience the remorseless, demonic glee with which the criminal played out his crime. I wonder if they could then see these murderers for who they truly are and understand that they are only imposters, merely shadows of real human beings. For me, it is a blow for humanity to put these inhumane criminals out of our collective misery.
I support the death penalty not only because I think it is the right thing for our society but also because it feels like the right thing to do for the sake of the victims as well as the rest of us.
On Wednesday, Joe comments on taking responsibility for our actions in “Responsibility”.
He Says, She Says - By USFSB.com 
July 30, 2012 at 11:30 am
Joe,
I couldn’t agree MORE – very eloquently put!!!
August 2, 2012 at 9:26 am
Bill: Thanks for your response. It was good to hear from you. Joe.
July 30, 2012 at 3:02 pm
Like many other aspects of the law, the death sentence should have a limitations statute for the carrying out of the penalty, no more than 3 years should elapse, which would allow time for expedited appeals. When the sentence is carried out ALL records of the case and investigation should be destroyed, in order to remove any possibility of someone coming along later and second guessing the verdict. However if it is ever discovered and proved during the appeals process or afterwards that an attorney, judge, witness or law enforcement officer lied, manipulated the evidence, or acted improperly in any way, then they should be executed also!
August 2, 2012 at 9:22 am
Steve: You make some very good points.
I agree that the execution in death penalty convictions should not be delayed for years while the condemned pursues an endless series of frivolous appeals. Perhaps, there could be a special tribunal that automatically reviews all death penalty convictions or, as you suggest, the appeals process should be limited and handled on an expedited basis.
I agree that anyone who causes another to be sentenced to death by a false accusation or by playing “fast and loose” with the facts should be severely punished; however, except in extremely egregious cases, perhaps, I don’t believe it should be a capital crime.
I also believe that the courts are inordinately concerned that the method of execution be not only painless but cause no discomfort. I understand the Constitutional prohibition against “cruel and unusual” treatment; however, with that clause, like much of our Constitution, the courts have engaged in strained and stilted interpretations in our modern times. I believe the original intention was to prevent extreme punishments that the Founding Fathers would have been aware of from Europe such as Inquisition style torture, being “drawn and quartered” or burning at the stake. I do not believe it was intended to mean that executions needed to be painless.
Joe