I don't know how to feel about thisFollow

Really: http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/10/25/williams.execution.ap/index.html

Firstly, I'm not in favor of the death penalty anyway, I think rotting in prison is a far worse punishment. Regardless, I really feel bad about this case (surprisingly so, as I am generally fairly free of pity for a murderer four times over). He's been in jail a long time, and I think he should stay there for what he's done, but at the same time he really seems to have tried to make amends...not that you ever really can.

I don't want him set free necessarily, but I just feel bad that it has to be this way. No, I don't really have a point here, except to say I hope that this serves as some sort of an example to kids thinking of joining gangs. I'm sure Williams wishes his life could have gone in a different direction. Such a waste.

Nexa

I'm absolutley for the death penalty. IMHO This case should be no exception.

Regardless of what is changed SINCE the murders, it doesn't change the fact that it happened. We are not talking about a manslaughter charge here, it's 4 counts of murder-1 . Sure, he wrote some books and seems like a good guy now, but it doesn't bring back his victims, nor does it satisfy the family members of those vicitms.

I say the death penalty should stand.

Although I'm fairly middle of the road on most things (ok, maybe a little on the left side), the only area where I've always been truly conservative is on crime and punishment but do my best to keep an open mind in regards to any reasonable gray areas, if there are any.

I'm ok with capital punishment as long as there is no shadow of a doubt that the person is guilty of the crime.

In this particular situation, I'm glad he has tried to turn his life around for his crimes. Yet I don't think anything short of being able to undo the savage crimes he committed would be acceptable. I will always support the victims in these matters. Like it's been said, there are no second chances for the victims, the same should be for their killers.

Yes, killing him will not bring back the victims. But if it gives the victim's family a sense of closure and justice served, then I cannot hold that against them. Sure, if they did away with death penalty, I have no problem if the guy lived. But I wouldn't want him ever let out.

Like Sammy sang in the theme song for Baretta (ironies of irony for Robert Blake, but that's another matter), "Don't do the crime if you can't do the time." I guess it comes down to taking responsibility for your actions by paying the ultimate price.

Maybe he'll get his redemption on the other side.






Edited, Tue Oct 25 10:34:53 2005 by Smoggy

Off with his head.

What if a someone murdered a young Hitler?

Just sayin'.

We'd have the makings for an amazing "alternate reality" science fiction novel!

no matter what he has done since his crimes, fed, clothed, and supported enough to have the time to write, he took away lives. Those lives can never be returned. He did some good stuff, which is better than some do wasting their lives away in prision, but it does not excuse him from taking the lives of innocent people.

btw I still say a rope is cheaper than a bullet

ahh but you can use the rope again and again wheras a bullet is a one shot deal.






no pun intended, of course

I hope you got that price out of a catalog, and not just off the top of your head. Granted, you could be making it up for all I know, but still. Your freaky.

Duh. That's why you use a fresh Rope Condom with each hanging.

I have thought about this all day. I beleive this is one of those cases where there is no right answer.

He killed, he deserves to be punished for his crimes. But death? I doubt that is the answer.

I remember the film, "The Shawshank Redemption". And every ten years Morgan Freeman goes for his parole. Every time he says "Yessir, I am ready to rejoin society!". Each year he is turned down.
Finally, after 30 years or so, he sits dejected in his chair and says something along the lines of "I am tired, and old. I wish I could talk to who I was, that young man, and tell him to stop and think about what he did and stop him, but I cannot. I committed a terrible crime for which I regret. This is now my home and to be honest young man, all I do is come here to provide you with something to do so you can claim a wage. Please stop wasting my time and send me back where from where I came".
He was released. He was truly sorry for what he did.

Now that film was fiction, but you have to wonder, is this criminal much like Morgan Freemans character? Truly sorry for what he did, murderer or not? If he is truly sorry, does society hold no account of that? Or is mercy beyond us? 20 years is a long time to repent.

I would hope his death penalty could be cancelled and he could live his life out in jail. A dead man cannot repent, in public, to stop the young following his footsteps. A live man, can talk and hopefully disway young people from following the violent path he took.

You forgot the gun in that pricing equation.

/snicker