in my street law class on a field trip to see a real murder case about 2 weeks ago. i felt really bad becuase the man was really mentally ill and had been in and out of psychiatric hospitals since he was 14 years old. he's now only 22 and on death row........personally i dont believe in the death penalty and think that this man should have recieved more medical care and attention. But since he was charged with capital murder, the jury's only options were life in prison without parole or death. what do you u think about the jury's decision? (i think he should have got life in prison)
2007-04-20 17:27:08 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Polls & Surveys
(YES I LIVE IN TEXAS)
2007-04-20 17:33:13 · update #1
I think they made the right choice
2007-04-20 17:30:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
This is a good question. The United States does allow the execution of people with severe mental illness, as long as they are sane enough at the time they are executed to know what is happening. The only cases in which mental illness prevents a death penalty prosecution are those in which the defendent "understands the difference between right and wrong"- without reference to understanding consequences or being able to resist "voices" and other mental illness related symptoms.
Here are a couple of interesting cases:Charles Singleton was executed in 2003, Arkansas, and was forced to take anti-pychotic medication to make him sufficiently sane to be executed. (The courts said that the only unwanted side effect of the medication would be Singleton's death.)
James Colburn was executed in Texas, in 2004, in spite of
the following: “You are going to hear evidence that the defendant is a paranoid schizophrenic... You will hear evidence that he’s heard voices and you are going to see him on tape. He’s shaking or fidgeting. The State is not going to contest or deny any of that...” Prosecutor, opening statement, trial of James Colburn, October 1995.
There are other cases like these. Right now, Scott Panetti, suffering from schizophrenia, is on death row in Texas. His execution is temporarily on hold.
Many people (including at least one person who answered your question) do not realize that the death penalty costs much more than life in prison without parole (available in 48 states now). The extra money should be used upfront, to treat (in a hospital setting, if necessary) people with severe mental illness so that they will not harm others or themselves.
2007-04-21 11:04:45 · answer #2 · answered by Susan S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree, life in prison.
People have strong opinions on this. In theory an eye for an eye seems reasonable, but until one actually meets the person on death row and see his or her face and hears their story it is just that, an opinion. I have seen a lot of opinions change when they actually meet a real live person with a real mental illness. Yes, he should be punished, but death?
2007-04-21 00:38:16 · answer #3 · answered by ohbrother 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The way I look at it, anyone who intentionally takes a life has made a fatal mistake. He could have made some other simple little mistake that cost him his life; he could have gone out in frigid weather, gotten lost, and froze, or he could have gotten too close to the edge of a cliff. A little innocent mistake like that can cost a person their life. It sounds like this guy made a big, probably not so innocent mistake. I feel sorry for him. I think we should strive to prevent such tragedies, and do a much better job of helping people with mental problems. If he could be locked up for good, that would be fine with me, but only if there is 0% chance of him ever getting the chance to make a mistake again. If they kill him, that's fine too. It's like, sorry buddy, you shouldn't have stepped out in front of that bus.
2007-04-21 01:38:06 · answer #4 · answered by tizzoseddy 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Life in prison does seem like a better alternative. Especially if hes mentally ill.
2007-04-21 00:31:17 · answer #5 · answered by PW 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
well, the death row basically is life in prison. it takes forever to execute them. but yeah, he should have had special attention. it's so sad when mentally ill people are put into these situations.
2007-04-21 00:35:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't matter what the jury decides they only reccomend the punishment..the Judge actually makes the decision. I think if it were really the case that he was sick then he can't legally be executed and someone will appeal it. There are laws set in place for people who are legally insane.
2007-04-21 00:31:32 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I think Life in prision is much worse than the death penalty...death is the easy way out...When you have to wake up every morning and look at yourself in the mirror and be confined to this little nasty room till you die that is ever lasting punishment......
2007-04-21 00:31:35 · answer #8 · answered by PRETTY N PINK 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He will receive medical treatment, and care in prison. You must live in Texas if they're giving the death sentence to the mentally ill/retarded.
2007-04-21 00:31:07 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well, if he raped and murdered a seven year old girl, I think the death penalty is appropriate.
If he accidentally shot someone while cleaning his gun, whole nother story.
So - which end of the spectrum was this guy on?
2007-04-21 00:32:05 · answer #10 · answered by Stuart 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Life in prison
2007-04-21 00:31:24 · answer #11 · answered by Tiffany <3 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋