A sigh of relief heard across Virginia

[seakdivers]

I have a hard time explaining my feelings on the death penalty.
My 17 year old sister was raped & murdered just about 10 years ago. We've never found her killers. If and when we find them - they will be lucky to get the death penalty.

On the other hand, my husband works for both the prosecution & the defense on the very same kind of cases, and I can't tell you how many times it's come out that the person in custody (usually prison by the time he gets involved) is actually innocent.

I would fully support the death penalty if we had a better justice system.

Oh, my! That is awful! I am so sorry! Yes, I can understand why you would have mixed feelings about the death penalty When it comes to vengence, I've always though life in a max security prison as Bubba's boy toy would be a better revenge than a quick and easy death, but I've never walked in the shoes of someone like you.

There is also that nagging problem that the person just might be innocent.

[xoxoxoBruce]

I can't tell you how many times it's come out that the person in custody (usually prison by the time he gets involved) is actually innocent.

Innocent of that crime. I often wonder how many people are convicted of crimes the didn't commit because they were charged with a crime they can't defend against in lieu of a crime the police and procecutor are "sure" they committed but can't procecute. I hope that made sense. I know it's not right but it would be justice....at least poetic.

I've always though life in a max security prison as Bubba's boy toy would be a better revenge than a quick and easy death

I might be persuaded by that if you could guarentee he would be Bubba's boy toy and not Bubba.....and it didn't cost me $50k for every year he survives.

[richlevy]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Innocent of that crime. I often wonder how many people are convicted of crimes the didn't commit because they were charged with a crime they can't defend against in lieu of a crime the police and procecutor are "sure" they committed but can't procecute. I hope that made sense. I know it's not right but it would be justice....at least poetic.

Which is why a guy with a record of petty theft is more likely to be sentenced to die for a crime he or she didn't commit than someone with no criminal record. That's not justice, that's a sick joke.

Originally Posted by richlevy

Which is why a guy with a record of petty theft is more likely to be sentenced to die for a crime he or she didn't commit than someone with no criminal record. That's not justice, that's a sick joke.

Then there is also the problem of idenity theft. I don't think ID theft is a factor in too many wrongful charges of murder, but it certainly can be a factor in other crimes.. I know where-of I speak:

4 years ago someone stole my purse which contained among other things, my passport, my driver's licence, my social security card, and an unfilled doctor's prescription. They went on quite the little crime spree as me and I am still having difficulty clearing up the wreckage after THEIR party - including a number of odd aliases and 20 counts of prescription drug fraud.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by richlevy

Which is why a guy with a record of petty theft is more likely to be sentenced to die for a crime he or she didn't commit than someone with no criminal record. That's not justice, that's a sick joke.

Can you back that up. You don't think a person with a long rap sheet is more likely to commit a capital offense? Especially if it's a series of things like purse snatching, burglary, car theft, etc rather than say check fraud or embezzlement. I certainly do, which would explain your "statistic".