What do pro death penalty people think of killing innocents?

Question

What is their position on misjustices were they get the wrong person executed?

I see an answer that sparked a curious notion. would you rather execute an innocent or let a murder get off the hook

Answer 1

Good question. It has been impossible to get proof that an innocent person was executed in the recent past. The reason is that once an execution occurs the case is closed and any forensic evidence is destroyed. We do know that 124 innocent people have been released from death row with evidence of innocence (some after decades behind bars.) This number is more than 10% of the number of executions.

The case of Claude Jones, executed in Texas in 2000 (last execution that George Bush approved) is a case in point. The conviction hinged on a strand of hair that was the only piece of scientific evidence linking Jones to a murder. No DNA testing was ever done on it. The forensic investigator called by the prosecution testified that of all the people at the scene of the crime, Jones hair most resembled the strand. Apart from the strand the only evidence the prosecution presented was testimony of the co-defendents (who somehow escaped the death penalty) and eyewitnesses whose testimony was vague. Several Innocence Projects would like to conduct DNA tests but the local District Attorney is resisting requests not to destroy the strand. ...so it goes.
The death penalty system buries its worst mistakes.

Most people, including death penalty supporters, are concerned about the risks of executing an innocent person and, at the very least, want the risks to be reduced.

To those few people who don't share the concern or who believe that the execution of an innocent person is offset by the murder of an innocent crime victim, there is nothing I can or would say.

Answer 2

Hopefully it is very rare that an innocent person is executed, but when it happens it affects a lot more than one innocent person. The person who is actually guilty may then feel he or she can get away with killing again which would lead to more victims.

Anyone who knows the executed person is innocent and testified truthfully could be unfairly charged with perjury, or thought to be a liar by others.

If the truth is discovered everyone involved in convicting the innocent person would suffer (I would think). I'm not sure if I could handle it if I were on a jury and voted to convict someone who turned out to be innocent if that person were executed.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nonlethalalternatives/

Answer 3

Human error happens. It isn't anything new. The death penalty isn't anything new. I love that people act like this is some new hot-button subject when it's been going on far longer than the US has been a country. Frankly, it's largely a matter of how good technology is at the time of the trial. I feel bad for the mistakes that have happened, but I feel worse for the families of the victims when the rapist, murderer, etc gets off scotch free.... Technology is getting better, fewer mistakes are happening...

Answer 4

In a trial the evidence is presented to a Jury and they decide on guilt or innocence.
Do you support abortion, what is your position on excuting someone who is a complete innocent? If you are for it, isn't it always the wrong person dying, without benefit of trial?

Answer 5

Cite an example within the last 20 years and name your source

Answer 6

Nothing is perfect. Not even justice. And those imperfections sometimes lead to innocent people taking the fall.

Answer 7

Well, that person would still be dead so there isn't much need for discussion. Is he dead yet? yes.

Answer 8

I think, "Kill them all, let God sort it out." pretty much sums it up.