Should Cop Killers get the Death Penalty even in Massachusetts ?

Question

Do you think Democrat Governor Deval Patrick will sign such a bill if passed by the legislature?

Answer 1

He should, but he won't.

Answer 2

I think that people should know the facts about the death penalty before making up there minds about it. Here are some verifiable and sourced facts-

Re: Possibility of executing an innocent person
Over 120 people on death rows have been released with evidence of their innocence. Many had already served over 2 decades on death row. If we speed up the process we are bound to execute an innocent person. Once someone is executed the case is closed. If we execute an innocent person we are not likely to find that out and, also, the real criminal is still out there.

Re: DNA
DNA is available in no more than 10% of murder cases. It is not a miracle cure for sentencing innocent people to death. It’s human nature to make mistakes.

Re: Appeals
Our appeals system is designed to make sure that the trial was in accord with constitutional standards, not to second guess whether the defendant was actually innocent. It is very difficult to get evidence of innocence introduced before an appeals court.

Re: Deterrence
The death penalty isn’t a deterrent. Murder rates are actually higher in states with the death penalty than in states without it. Moreover, people who kill or commit other serious crimes do not think they will be caught (if they think at all.)

Re: cost
The death penalty costs far more than life in prison. The huge extra costs start to mount up even before the trial. There are more cost effective ways to prevent and control crime. (One way would be to provide more funding for police- hire more, give them better equipment and more sophisticated technology for tracking down criminals.)

Re: Alternatives
48 states have life without parole on the books. It means what it says, is swift and sure and is rarely appealed. Being locked in a tiny cell for 23 hours a day, forever, is certainly no picnic.

Re: Who gets the death penalty
The death penalty isn’t reserved for the “worst of the worst,” but rather for defendants with the worst lawyers. When is the last time a wealthy person was sentenced to death, let alone executed??

Re: Victims families
The death penalty is very hard on victims’ families. They must relive their ordeal in the courts and the media. Life without parole is sure, swift and rarely appealed. Some victims families who support the death penalty in principal prefer life without parole because of how the death penalty affects families like theirs.

Opposing the death penalty doesn’t mean you condone brutal crimes or excuse people who commit them. According to a Gallup Poll, in 2006, 47% of all Americans prefer capital punishment while 48% prefer life without parole. Americans are learning the facts and making up their minds using common sense, not revenge.

Answer 3

No, he won't, the 'D' in front of his title tells all you need to know about his approval. Cop killers need to be up front of the line, and all the courts power used to try the case, and a speedy execution of the conviction, and the killer as well, if and when the strong and indisputable evidence is truthfully submitted. For a traffic violation, while driving through another state, such as maryland, the deputy will wake up the JP for you to pay the fine, or be held in jail, till the fine is paid. Justice will move speedily, when so motivated, when money is involved, it moves fast. Maybe the law inforcement can reward the states handsomely for each criminal put to death quickly, for killing one of their own.

Answer 4

Some states that do not have the death penalty may allow death for cop killers. I know recently in NH they want to execute the person who shot a Manchester officer.

Answer 5

I believe in capital punishment, and being in law enforcement, that ma sound bad.
I think all killers, not just cop killers should get the death penalty, but none of this 20+ years on death row stuff, I think once you are convicted, you have 30 days to appeal, and if the appeal is denied, you die the next day.
on averagem death row inmates cost the tax payer over $50,000 per year to keep them alive in prison.....

Answer 6

Sometimes I think a lifetime in the pen is worse than death. But doing a bunch of time knowing you are going to die is probably even worse. So I say combine the two sentences, give him ten years and make him walk by that execution chamber every day. that is tortute. Then kill him. let him count down the days

Answer 7

YES!!! Why should a particular state be any different than the rest of the USA? If someone has the audacity to kill someone for no reason whatsoever no matter who they are they should get the Death Penalty. There is no reason why tax payers should support the murderer with 3 meals a day, a bed, exercise, etc.

Answer 8

I'm unsure why killing a policeman is somehow worse than killing anyone else.

If you commit a crime you belong in jail. If it's murder then for life, as far as I'm concerned. Anyone who kills, be it Deval Patrick or a governor who knowingly signs a bill enabling state-sponsored murder belongs in jail.

Aw heck, I'd even save a little space in jail for people who agitate for state-sponsored murder.

Answer 9

Why just for cop killers? All murderers should get death.

And for the person above who asked why one state should be different than the country....we are a UNITED collection of STATES...that have our own laws...get it?

Answer 10

Yes they should and let me explain why. I think i should start by saying we should overwhelming agree that taking a life of another person is wrong. However not everybody lives as peacefully as we would like them to. Saying that ,every action has a reaction and letting criminals know that if they chose to kill they're also making a decision to die. protecting our law enforcements officers with a clause saying "you kill one of them then you'll also die" is gratitude they deserve for putting their lives on the line for us......

Answer 11

I think motives and circumstances should be more crucial in determining the punishment. But in any case, I thing I would prefer being sentenced to death then spending the rest of my life in prison.