Capital Punishment

**Dr. X** · 10-09-2003, 09:50 AM

Capital punishment is a very cloudy area... nothing is in black and white.

On the one hand, if someone has been proven beyond all doubt that they have taken a human life, why do we not make an example of them and save the system some cell space by taking their life?

Maybe it's a transition from Old Testament justice, (an eye for an eye) to New Testament/Ghandi justice (and eye for an eye will make us all blind, turn the other cheek), that we do not have the right to take away a human (God's?) life.

We might also be becoming more understanding that even if there is seemingly absolute proof that someone is guilty there could be new evidence found somwhere along the line which would have reversed the verdict.

Personally, I think we should leave them to rot in prison until the day the die, whereupon they can be judged a second time.

Big Richard - Longer sentences aren't much of a deterrent; nobody plans on getting caught.

**DaBeeeenster** · 10-09-2003, 10:00 AM

No, no no and no.

Capital Punishment has no place in a modern society IMHO.

It actually costs more to carry out the death penalty in the US than it does to lock someone up for life. A surprising fact, but a fact nevertheless.

**Skii** · 10-09-2003, 10:03 AM

Originally posted by DaBeeeenster
No, no no and no.

Capital Punishment has no place in a modern society IMHO.

It actually costs more to carry out the death penalty in the US than it does to lock someone up for life. A surprising fact, but a fact nevertheless.

Agreed. But that second part I find incredible !

**Big RICHARD** · 10-09-2003, 10:24 AM

Originally posted by Dr. X

Big Richard - Longer sentences aren't much of a deterrent; nobody plans on getting caught.

If you lock the criminals up for a long time then there won't be any criminals on the streets, thus cutting crime.

**Big RICHARD** · 10-09-2003, 10:25 AM

Originally posted by DaBeeeenster
No, no no and no.

Capital Punishment has no place in a modern society IMHO.

It actually costs more to carry out the death penalty in the US than it does to lock someone up for life. A surprising fact, but a fact nevertheless.

Why does it have no place in modern society. Murderers have no place in modern society tbh......

Also the second bit can not be true.....

**Skii** · 10-09-2003, 10:33 AM

Originally posted by Big RICHARD
Why does it have no place in modern society. Murderers have no place in modern society tbh......

Also the second bit can not be true.....

No, murderers have no place in society, but that doesn't mean you stoop to their level.

**nichomach** · 10-09-2003, 10:35 AM

Also the second bit can not be true.....

Oh yes it can, mate; by the time someone's gone through 10 years of appeals (and if you're planning on killing someone, curtailing the appeals process is REALLY not something you want to be doing), lawyers fees, court time, add in the cost of imprisoning them for that period, then yes, it can very easily cost more than locking them up for life.

**Russ** · 10-09-2003, 10:41 AM

Originally posted by Skii
No, murderers have no place in society, but that doesn't mean you stoop to their level.

speaking hypertheticly johno, what would you have done to some 1 who murdered Mrs. Skii?

**Skii** · 10-09-2003, 10:51 AM

Originally posted by Russ
speaking hypertheticly johno, what would you have done to some 1 who murdered Mrs. Skii?

Hell of a question Russ

Well, human instinct combined with my short fuse would probably make me want to beat them to death with a blunt object, I quite simply wouldn't be able to control myself.

Therein lies the issue, we can't let our emotions dictate our actions, and to coin an old cliche, 2 wrongs don't make a right.

I would consider it a better punishment for that person to be incarcerated for life (and I think life should mean life)

So yes, I'd want them dead, no it wouldn't be right , and therefore the decision should be handled by an impartial judge and jury.

**Russ** · 10-09-2003, 11:44 AM

Originally posted by Skii
Hell of a question Russ

Well, human instinct combined with my short fuse would probably make me want to beat them to death with a blunt object, I quite simply wouldn't be able to control myself.

Therein lies the issue, we can't let our emotions dictate our actions, and to coin an old cliche, 2 wrongs don't make a right.

I would consider it a better punishment for that person to be incarcerated for life (and I think life should mean life)

So yes, I'd want them dead, no it wouldn't be right , and therefore the decision should be handled by an impartial judge and jury.

Nice answer, but two wrongs dont make it right, but it would make u feel better.

I do agree tho, that life should be life, and they should scrape you off your cell floor when u die an old man/woman.

**Slick** · 10-09-2003, 12:41 PM

Originally posted by Russ
if it was up to me, they'd be killed, they taken a life, (maybe even worse)

In the words of Don Corleone "That is not justice. Your daughter is still alive" (I know it's not your daughter but it reminded me of that scene), but murder is a worse crime than beating someone up.

I agree the prison system should be more centered around reform than punishment but there's not much chance of reform after you kill them.

**Russ** · 10-09-2003, 12:46 PM

Originally posted by Slick
In the words of Don Corleone "That is not justice. Your daughter is still alive" (I know it's not your daughter but it reminded me of that scene), but murder is a worse crime than beating someone up.

i wouldnt call sitting in a chair only speaking grunts and bein washed fed and stared at in the streets much of a life.. i would possibly even choose death if i could

**DaBeeeenster** · 10-09-2003, 02:00 PM

Originally posted by Big RICHARD
Why does it have no place in modern society. Murderers have no place in modern society tbh......

Also the second bit can not be true.....

Society does not have a choice about people murdering. We do have a choice about the death penalty.

The fact that I raised. It is, indeed, true. I think you severely understimate that cost that a legal system can consume.

**Big RICHARD** · 10-09-2003, 02:32 PM

Originally posted by DaBeeeenster
Society does not have a choice about people murdering. We do have a choice about the death penalty.

The fact that I raised. It is, indeed, true. I think you severely understimate that cost that a legal system can consume.

I think you severely may be right! Having just thought a bit more about it!

Life should mean life though!

Also, criminals should not be let out early for good behaviour, they should serve ALL of their sentence. They should also be punished with more time for bad behaviour. This would be more like rehabilitation......

**DaBeeeenster** · 10-09-2003, 03:39 PM

So you're saying you disagree with Captial Punishment?

**Russ** · 10-09-2003, 03:43 PM

Originally posted by Big RICHARD
I used to. Now I'm not so sure.....

What if new evidence turns up and it turns out that the person was indeed innocent.

Some cases- yes. People who are DEFINITELY guilty of heinous crimes, yes! Why waste taxpayers money keeping them in prison?

/edit - also, punishments should be much harsher. If we gave 10 years for assault, people wouldn't hit each other (as much)......

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