Gov. Ricketts, a Republican who remains a staunch death penalty advocate, expressed his disappointment with what he said was the state legislature’s failure to connect with Nebraskans.
“My words cannot express how appalled I am that we have lost a critical tool to protect law enforcement and Nebraska families,” he said in a statement.
Except for all those studies that show the death penalty does dick to deter crime.
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
If they'd streamline the process to, "We find the defendant guilty, and we sentence him to death," followed by plastic being spread on the floor before the judge and the bailiff unholstering his sidearm, then yeah, the death penalty may become a deterrent. As it is, it's what, a decade til you die, anyway? At least you get a private cell on death row.
+++++
Personally, though, I think there are too many false convictions resulting in the death penalty, so I don't think the government should be killing peeps, anyway.
"Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid."
I would have less trouble with doing away with it for the reasons mentioned if "life without the possibility of parole" really meant that in all cases (barring new evidence overturning the conviction).
"... and then I was forced to walk the Trail of Tears." - Elizabeth Warren
It seems that executioners in this country are too stupid to make the chemicals anymore and too ball-less to bust a cap directly into someone, face-to-face.
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
GORDON wrote:Personally, though, I think there are too many false convictions resulting in the death penalty, so I don't think the government should be killing peeps, anyway.
Given our current government I would agree with this. But I think it could still be done right as long as there was a culture of accountability among justice practitioners.
Say it is discovered that the death penalty was used on an innocent man. Then the state must investigate all those involved to find out who screwed up, and the penalty if they find someone did screw up is also the death penalty (treated as if it were murder if it were done on purpose, manslaughter if done on accident). Add to that that no one can ever forced or coerced into working a death penalty case (which under my theoretical system would result in a valid defense for the person so coerced and transferal of the penalties to the coercer).
If something like that were so, then I would be cool with the government administering capital punishment.
I would have less trouble with doing away with it for the reasons mentioned if "life without the possibility of parole" really meant that in all cases (barring new evidence overturning the conviction).
This I have never understood. Is that supposed to be less of a punishment? I'd much rather be killed quickly than forced to live a lifetime in captivity and occasionally tortured by the other inmates or the guards. I consider life without parole to be cruel and unusual punishment, but the death penalty is fine by me if the system is properly self-policing.
Edited By TPRJones on 1432844583
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Say it is discovered that the death penalty was used on an innocent man. Then the state must investigate all those involved to find out who screwed up, and the penalty if they find someone did screw up is also the death penalty (treated as if it were murder if it were done on purpose, manslaughter if done on accident).
That philosophy needs to get applied every wrongful conviction. Fuck that, every wrongful arrest.
Is that supposed to be less of a punishment? I'd much rather be killed quickly than forced to live a lifetime in captivity and occasionally tortured by the other inmates or the guards.
One's irreversible, one ain't. If you've been convicted by corrupt and\or incompetent assholes, you want life without parole every time. There's a sliver of a chance qualified people might take over, review your shit, and cut you loose. If you're guilty and don't want to make the effort to assimilate into the new culture, then yeah, it seems way worse.
Edited By Malcolm on 1432849084
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
There's a sliver of a chance qualified people might take over, review your shit, and cut you loose.
Malcolm: ever the optimist.
No, just a cynic. Mayors/governors/presidents could let you out for any number of reelection or lame duck reasons. An infinitesimal chance, I'll grant, but greater than 0%.
Edited By Malcolm on 1432850208
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
TheCatt wrote:I believe the death penalty should exist... but only for extreme cases, with absolutely no doubt. Like school shooting spree no doubt.
Yes. Several eyewitnesses and 2 video sources and DNA evidence everywhere and no one lost visual track of the person between doing it, and getting caught. 0% chance short of divine intervention that he isn't the one.
And in those cases, if a guilty sentence is delivered, plastic is spread out on the floor before the judge.
"Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid."
Eh, even groups of witnesses can be unreliable. I want clear video evidence. Period.
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
HAHA. The 10 dudes on death row might get a reprieve.
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Connecticut Supreme Court declares their own death penalty statutes unconstitutional. While I disagree with their reasoning, I can't help but agree with the result.
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."