Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Death Penalty Tango
A case in Connecticut has the death penalty back in the news. CT may execute its first prisoner in more than 40 years.
I don't believe in the death penalty. It's not that I am soft on crime, but rather that I think that spending a lifetime in prison contemplating what put you there (and getting a nightly visit from a large, mean fellow inmate for a little lovin') is far greater punishment than being put to death. Anyone who thinks that prison is a cakewalk, especially max. security, should volunteer to spend a night on the inside.
Second, life inprisonment without parole is actually cheaper than the prolonged appeal process through which most death row inmates march on their way to the chair. Michael Ross (in CT) was arrested in 1984 and convicted in 1987. If he didn't choose to stop fighting, he could keep this going on for years more. All on our dime.
Third, there is ample recent evidence that too many folks who get put to death were wrongly convicted. You can't undo the death penalty and if we've zapped the wrong guy, it's murder plain-and-simple.
The death penalty is mostly about the blood lust of victims' families and others who feel that smashing people is the best way to set an example. Perhaps those who believe in Heaven and Hell think that the perpertrator will get downstairs faster with lethal injection. Except that a fair number of these prisoners seem to find Jesus behind bars and, in theory, will be heading straight to Glory.
But, if we have to have it, here is my prescription for reform:
- It is only applicable in capital cases where there at least two unrelated eye witnesses and a preponderance of physical evidence (this pretty much eliminates the chance of getting the wrong person and makes it tougher to frame someone);
- You get one appeal to a special review board and it will be held within 90 days of conviction. From there you can try the applicable Supreme Court, but that's it (keeps costs down and punishment swift);
- The jury that convicts you has to come to watch the penalty be carried out. If you can mete out the ultimate verdict, you damn well better be able to see what you've done.
I don't believe in the death penalty. It's not that I am soft on crime, but rather that I think that spending a lifetime in prison contemplating what put you there (and getting a nightly visit from a large, mean fellow inmate for a little lovin') is far greater punishment than being put to death. Anyone who thinks that prison is a cakewalk, especially max. security, should volunteer to spend a night on the inside.
Second, life inprisonment without parole is actually cheaper than the prolonged appeal process through which most death row inmates march on their way to the chair. Michael Ross (in CT) was arrested in 1984 and convicted in 1987. If he didn't choose to stop fighting, he could keep this going on for years more. All on our dime.
Third, there is ample recent evidence that too many folks who get put to death were wrongly convicted. You can't undo the death penalty and if we've zapped the wrong guy, it's murder plain-and-simple.
The death penalty is mostly about the blood lust of victims' families and others who feel that smashing people is the best way to set an example. Perhaps those who believe in Heaven and Hell think that the perpertrator will get downstairs faster with lethal injection. Except that a fair number of these prisoners seem to find Jesus behind bars and, in theory, will be heading straight to Glory.
But, if we have to have it, here is my prescription for reform:
- It is only applicable in capital cases where there at least two unrelated eye witnesses and a preponderance of physical evidence (this pretty much eliminates the chance of getting the wrong person and makes it tougher to frame someone);
- You get one appeal to a special review board and it will be held within 90 days of conviction. From there you can try the applicable Supreme Court, but that's it (keeps costs down and punishment swift);
- The jury that convicts you has to come to watch the penalty be carried out. If you can mete out the ultimate verdict, you damn well better be able to see what you've done.
