Death penalty should not be easier

When Nichols escapes jail I hope he moves in next to you.

Nichols acted as Jury, Judge, and executioner of innocent human beings. They got no second chance. He denied human rights, dignity, and any chance for reform and redemption to those he executed, so why does he deserve a second chance? The true circumstances of his case were revealed in the video tapes and testimony of witnesses. There is no need for further investigations. He is guilty as charged! He needs to be executed for what he did.

Mr. Shafer, if your are really advocating that the death penalty should be discontinued because there is always hope that killers may be reformed or redeemed if they are permitted to live, I would suggest that you ask their victims if they would have willingly sacrificed their lives so that their assassins (black or white) might receive the counseling and guidance that may bring about the killer's reform or redemption. Obviously, you cannot ask the victims; so, while I am still alive, I'll answer the question as it applies to me, HELL NO! And finally, if it is the minorities (?) that you are so concerned about I would suggest that you help them reorganize their lives so that they are no longer in the majority when the statistics for crimes committed by race are tabulated. GGpap.

I think it is skewed towards criminals. If executing one of these lowlifes saves one person then it's worth it. Pink,brown, white ,yellow or purple. Light em up!

In Nichols case, there was no chance of executing an innocent man. He didn't even attempt to dispute his guilt and only tried to make excuses that society and mental illness made him do it.

The reason that there is so much crime is that criminals are not concerned with punishment. All states should follow Texas

While I support the death penalty, due to resent releases based on DNA, I do feel that in order for a person to be sentanced to death that there should be some type of clear evidence that ties that person to the crime, not just based on eye witness accounts which we know can be wrong. But if there is DNA or video or something along those lines to show that person is responsible then by all means let them fry. Why should tax payers have to continue forking out money for them to sit and do nothing the rest of their lives. They don't care when they take a life so why care if their life is taken? And to Matt, if you had a child or a loved one murdered I bet your feelings would change alot......

The article is correct in his observation of the local paper editoral staff's position. It wants to make so-called "legal" killings easier. Now whom do U suppose will suffer the most harm with such a change? The history of the state provides a clear answer. The death penalty is not equally applied, everyone knows it and the US Attorney General must address that fact. So during Holder's confrimation, watch for opposition from southern senators because he will address this problem.

Mr. Holder's problem with all senators will be explaining his shameful role in getting former Prez Clinton to pardon Marc Rich on his last day in office. He is obviously a man with low character and ethics.

Most Executions carried out in 2007

Country Number
China 470+ (other sources est. 5,000)1
Iran 317+
Saudi Arabia 143+
Pakistan 135+
USA 42
Iraq 33+
1.Based on a combination of published and anecdotal evidence,Dui Hua foundation suggests the real tally in China may be as high as 5,000 [25]
Boy we're in some good company.

George Bush, Cheney, Gen. Mayers, and the rest of the co-conspirators who staged 9-11 should also be executed for murder. If the poor should die at the hands of the "civilized state" then so should the rich. There should be at least some cells and beds left in our enromous for-profit prison industiralized complex. The new slave system meant to employ economically depressed, white poor communities abandoned by their corporate masters. They have become the new de facto slave masters/over-seeres, as they aid in ridding this nation of its unwanted minorities and poor. Welcome to our new state of facism.

ishefa, Merry Christmas there fella. Sounds like you need a hug!

Merry Christmas to you as well justthefacts. Don't need a hug, just the facts, and for the media to report what is REALLY happening in this nation and the world. The average American have no idea what is waiting down the pipeline for them, as they are kept uninformed, and numbed by useless "entertainment." Once NAFTA and the NWO begins to impact this nation, we will all need a hug.

Matt, you're way too naive to ever be a conservative. I hope you're happy in your fantasy world, but I don't see how. Hope you're never in a position of power over anyone. The people in the death penalty line are never in the "reform and redemption" line.

This is not an original idea but I want to share it with you: Each state should set up a tribunal of retired Judges. Their only job would be to review death sentences/capital crimes. On those occasions such as 5.00smwhere pointed out, when it's BEYOND ALL DOUBT the right person was convicted, they'd get one appeal. If denied, they'd get executed within a week of that appeal denial. The death penalty is not a deterrent. IF people were to see executions within weeks of sentencing, instead of years, I truly believe our murder rates would drop. (Idea comes from The Stand by Steven King)

Careful Matt, your heart is bleeding all over me. I wonder how many "lifers" in prison go on to kill again. Guards and other prisoners are at risk from these butchers. What's to stop them from killing again...risk being put in prison? Brian Nichols willfully killed 4 people. 4 people have had their "final denial" of human rights by this man. Where is their justice, Matt Shafer, or do they not deserve one? Climb down off your soapbox and live with the rest of us here in the real world, where murderers like Brian Nichols exist and carry out their cruel intentions everyday.

Ishefa, give the 9-11 conspiracy a rest, please. Most of us are tired of hearing this crap! When you have some real evidence besides what some idiot wrote in a book or the latest rants from Shakedown Al Sharpton, then bring it on. I'm sure the new president of all 57 states will listen as well, then.

Dear Matt, I was raised in a time when the electric chair was the preferred method of punishment. And you wouldn't believe it but in Columbus Ohio during that time, you could count the murders on one hand. I firmly believe the criminals just didn't want to die sitting in a chair with fire comming out of their eyes, head, arms, legs and deficating on themselves. Therefore, people thought before they acted. I really believe that murderers should be dragged to death on broad street and the whole thing televised. I would bet that after the first dragging, there wouldn't be another murder for years.

People like you Mr. Shafer kill me... you bleeding hearts have such pity for these viloent offenders and thats one reason why those crimes have grown. I agree with tall2 and disssman... saved me a lot of writing!!!!!!

I agree with every single word Mr. Shafer wrote in the LTE. The DA hand picked those holdouts and thus it was his fault. The defense has no say when it comes to the makeup of the jury in a criminal case.

Matt Shafer "Death is the final denial of human rights and dignity, the final denial of any chance for reform and redemption" Yes and Death is warranted and needed faster and more often than it is given. It takes over twenty years to raise a decent human being even in the best environments. All of this reform crap is not NOT WORKING! I would love to see a lottery in which anyone can buy tickets to have the privilege to "pull the switch" and watch the death row trash cease and desist. The lottery money could go towards helping the victims that the trash harmed. Personally I would pay ten bucks for the chance to have the honour to take out the trash. We are tried of the treats, the trash, the waste of our tax dollars! Let the punishment fit the crime. Speedy and eternal death to those who deserve it. The wages of sin is death and the dead know nothing. support www.hongkongaugustaga.org Merry Yule Tide.

Williston, your lack of knowledge never ceases to amaze me. What are you talking about saying the defense has no say when it comes to the makeup of the jury in a criminal case? Have you ever served on a jury in a criminal case? Thought not based on your ill informed statement. I have.

TechLover The number of capital punishments in the US needs to be 50 times the current number. Clean up death row now! End the maddness!

When is the last time you were on a jury? The defense has the most power. A jury of your peers doesn't mean you go down to the jail and find 12 people convicted of the same crime. The holdouts were not truthful in their voir dire. There are 2 ways to fix this problem. Charge them with perjury or change it to a majority rule. I'm still waiting on your proof that innocnet people have been executed. The only problem I see with the death penalty is it is not used fast enough nor often enough to be a deterrent. The excuse that it costs more to execute a person than house them in prison is skewed because of lengthy appeals processes. As I have said before. If it stops these animals from killing 1 innocent person (that includes prison guards and other inmates)) then it is worth it.

ksl: I think Williston, Jack234, and SMH are NOT what they claim to be, but just instigators and castigators. No one with a shred of education would post such easily disproven remarks as fact.

let's see ted bundy, j. wayne gacy, brian nichols, the green river killer, richard rameriz, the hillside stranglers...yeah right death penalty shouldn't be easier. mr. shafer you need to stop the theoretical and philosophical auguments such as human dignity, rights and ethics..mr. shafer, where is the human dignity for the over 100 (mostly) females killed by the above mentioned mass murders??? some of the victims were raped and tourtured before being butchered!!!!!! if you and your kind believe in the redeeming qualities why don't you step up and vouch for these killers, put your personal reputation on the line in addition to inviting them to live in your home and around your loved ones. this way you can then have a real stake in their rehab. this will also allow you to test your belief of personal redemption and the good of all criminals while not putting society at a greater risk. also mr. shafer why don't you and all those who believe like you do become financially liable, in the event they should kill or injure again you would then subject yourself to be sued and pay damages to the victim or relatives of the victim. how many more females has bundy killed since his execution?

jisomjr: Couldn't have said it better. Merry Christmas.

You take a life, you give up your rights to your own.

as a so called "MINORITY" i whole-heartedly support the death penalty, it not about race and i don't care if more blacks are executed...if they are truly guilty of their crimes then so-what!!!! as long as an innocent person regardless of color is not executed then continue to use the death penalty. guilty is guilty as far as i am concerned so i object to your use of the term "minorities" as one reason the death penalty should not be used, if those who killed someone out of premeditation and malice would have working instead of killing then they would not be sitting on death row, or if i had my way immediately executed

tall2, I like your 10:59 post. I think justice4 and elliotness should be added to your list. I'd like to say JRHC also, but he's convinced me he means what he posts.