MIAMI, Florida (AP) -- Yahweh Ben Yahweh, a former cult leader linked to nearly two dozen gruesome killings in the 1980s, is seeking immediate release from parole supervision because he has advanced cancer and wants to "die with dignity," his lawyers said Friday.
Yahweh, 70, is asking U.S. District Judge Marcia Cooke to order the federal Parole Commission to make a quick decision on whether to terminate parole in his case. He lives in the Miami area.
"He is not a risk of flight. He is not a danger to the community. He is frail and he is dying," his attorney Jayne Weintraub said. "It's time for the bars to be removed."
Yahweh can no longer walk because of bone and nerve damage from the cancer, according to his doctor. "His prognosis is extremely poor and death appears imminent," Dr. Wynne A. Steinsnyder wrote in a September 28 letter filed with the court.
Yahweh, a self-proclaimed "Black Messiah," served 11 years of an 18-year federal prison sentence for a racketeering conviction stemming from his role in up to 23 murders, some involving beheadings and severed ears and fingers.
He was born Hulon Mitchell Jr. in Oklahoma but changed his name to the Hebrew words for "God, son of God." His Nation of Yahweh boasted hundreds of followers who often dressed all in white.
Yahweh preached a brand of racial and religious separatism for blacks and was accused of sending followers to kill "white devils" and bring back proof.
Yahweh was released from prison on parole on September 26, 2001. His lawyers argue that under federal law his parole should be concluded because he has followed all the restrictions, including no contact with his former followers.
The law, however, gives the Parole Commission the final decision. A hearing officer is scheduled to consider the case on October 19 and then make a recommendation.
The process could take weeks, if not months.
Weintraub and co-counsel Steven Polotsky want the judge to accelerate the process, in part because Yahweh's doctor says being on parole causes stress that is hampering his cancer treatment.
"Yahweh Ben Yahweh is entitled to die with dignity," Weintraub said.
2006-10-07 02:03:23 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Absolutely not! His victims were not allowed to even live, much less die with dignity. Why should he get what he was not willing to give to others?
2006-10-07 02:09:37 · answer #1 · answered by Avie 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so, does he think he's better then anyone else who is on parole with cancer and will die soon. NO. He must not be allowed to have parole dropped just because of his condition. I had a friend that was on parole and had cancer, he died on parole.
2006-10-07 04:00:24 · answer #2 · answered by princezelph 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Dying with dignity" is not the same thing as being released from parole supervision. This is an example of someone twisting the meanings of words, in order to confuse people.
In my opinion, Yahweh ben Yahweh can "die with dignity" by accepting responsibility for what he did and by saying, "I acknowledge the justice embodied in my sentence."
2006-10-07 02:09:16 · answer #3 · answered by Larry Powers 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No I don't think that he should die with dignity. He was sentenced to jail for killing people. Did he allow his victims to die with dignity? He should do the time for the crime that he commited. Did the man on the cross beside Jesus die with dignity even though he confessed Jesus as Lord? It is a surprise that he wasn't executed.
2006-10-07 02:20:20 · answer #4 · answered by Just_A_Guy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why should he have a choice? what choice did his victims have ? Oh hell no let him die in prison like the pig he is and no offense to pigs . i like pigs the animals cause they are smart. You know these terrorists have alot of ba--- . They actually think they should have the right to ask something like this. I tell you what it really just amazes me the way they are and act. No Sir he deserves to die and I hope it is an agonizing death and I hope the cancer is a long a vicious one.
2006-10-07 02:15:56 · answer #5 · answered by Kate T. 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No I do not believe he should be released from his parole. It would be dignified if he died with a bullet in the head.
2006-10-07 02:07:20 · answer #6 · answered by ©2009 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No I don't think they should release him. Did he think of those that he killed? Someone like him doesn't care about others. So I say he should stay in prision and rot.
2006-10-07 02:09:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋