Your feelings on the death penalty?

Question

A question was posed about convicted killer Richard Ramirez (the Night Stalker), and the fact he has been on death row 20 years.

Some of the answers puzzled me. For or against, if the sentence is death, should it not be carried out? Capital Punishment was originally designed as a deterrent to crime - how is 20 years (as in this case) of free room and board, clothing, etc a deterrent?

What I want to know is - why are you for or against the death penalty. Lengthy answers encouraged - this is not a one sentence question.

Answer 1

I am for the death penalty. I am also for streamlining the process so that these criminals don't sit on death row for 20 years. I think that there are some crimes such as Ramirez' and Danny Harold Rolling (florida) that deserve the death penalty. Rolling was executed 16 year after his crimes.

We have one in Tennessee who, among other things suffocated his victim by stuffing her mouth full of plastic bags. He's on death row and said that he wants the electric chair to show how horrible it is to be put to death. Ironic that he thinks its cruel to execute him when he didn't think it was cruel to do what he did to his victim.

Answer 2

I would imagine that the length of time on death row has a lot to do with the appelate process. The other pertinent circumstance is the state where the crime occurs. When was the last time someone was executed in CA? How many executions per year? If Ramirez was convicted in TX he'd be dead and gone a long time ago.

I don't know if the death penalty is actually a deterrent, but I am all for it. Once dead it is really hard to be a repeat offender.

Answer 3

My opinion on the death penalty has changed 100%. I was originally for it. The death penalty was supposed to be an example, and was supposed to more cost effective than life in prison, and was supposed to create fear in those contemplating a capital offense.
None of those have happened. It costs more to implement the death penalty, because of the huge cost of court challenges. It hasnt lowered the rate of crime in states that have it, vs states that dont.
The main reason why I have changed my mind though, is that it is a form of vengeance. Vengeance is not an acceptable behavior for me. Finally, I feel many sentenced to death are given the easy way out. Victims families will continue to suffer their entire lives, while a killer rests in peace. Let them stay alive in prison forever, with no amenities, and no hope. That is a just punishment.

Answer 4

Ramirez is on death row in California - hence the 20 years. States differ on many issues surrounding capital punishment: whether they have it, the method, the living conditions, the amount of "outside" time, the meals, the "last request", and yes the amount of time the taxpayers have to support a vile criminal that has proven his disdain for life.

I support the death penalty for violent crimes (serial killers, cop killers, premeditated murders, murders with other violent acts such as rape). Unfortunately I live in Illinois, where our convicted past Governor put a moratorium on the death penalty (and was nominated for a peace prize for it) - so those that were already on death row or who have been sentenced since will sit there indefinitely until a Governor will ba!!s lifts the temporary ban.

Answer 5

I want cold blooded murderers and child killers put to death. Fast.
Democrat lawyers and judges have set up an Appeals System that takes years. Then they use the long time it takes as an argument to oppose the death penalty.
Many Democrats believe that killers should be let out of prison, and be forced to take "Sensitivity Classes".
(Democrats believe that will turn killers into caring and loving people.)

Answer 6

I am for the death penalty in certain circumstances. Serial killers and rapists, for example. Now, someone who killed their wife and her lover when discovered in bed together may be an act of rage and that person may stand a chance of being rehabilitated, so I do not agree the death penalty should be applied. But someone who kidnaps children, victimizes them with sexual abuse, and then kills them is beyond rehabilitation in my opinion, and should be put to death. I do agree with your comments about the length of "death row". I feel a two year grace period to allow the appeal process to run it's course, for the sake of justice, should be sufficient.

Answer 7

The governments are in charge of the laws..if they feel the need to have executions then they should be carried out asap..but most lawyers will prolong the process with appeals. These appeals finally run out and the death occurs...If executions were carried out as soon as it was spoken by the judge..more people would be afraid of being bad.
A firing squad will make people think twice.

Answer 8

We called capital punishment a deterrent but I don't think it ever really was that. I have always thought capital punishment was licensed, government-sanctioned revenge. On that basis I am in favor of it. I believe there are those people in our population who, based on conduct, forfeit their right to survive in civil society. Whether they are too evil or too broken, the common good is better served without them on the planet. My problem with capital punishment is the way we enforce it. We need to devise a system that does not disproportionally punish certain segments of our population. We also need a reliable way to know, for certain, that the person we kill is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Answer 9

the death penalty should be shortened to a few weeks after the criminal is convicted. Murderers, rapists, and terrorists need to die and not live the rest of their lives in prison. Look at Scot Peterson, that man will probably die in prison, OF AGE!

Answer 10

I am for it because it is the only just punishment for some murders. Also, it is appropriate for treason. And I would get rid of lethal injection as the method---it is too much like putting a beloved pet to sleep as a kindness. Bring back the gallows.