Earlier quoted context omitted.
Because a disproportionate number of people sentenced to death are non-white.
From the data: White 231 (44.9%) Black 190 (36.9%) Hispanic 92 (17.9%) Other 2 (0.4%)
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Death Row – Last words of every Texas inmate executed since 1982
71–80 of 139 posts
Re: Death Row – Last words of every Texas inmate executed since 1982
#72This list is yet another example of how the condemned receive something that neither their victims nor most other convicts get: a ceremonial death. They get last words. A last meal. Last rites with the clergy. Candlelight vigil by those against capital punishment. Final appeals to the courts and to the governor for clemency. Witnesses to the execution. To rot in obscurity would be greater punishment for these people.…
Disgusting as it may be, there are only a few options here, and none of them are going to make everyone happy.
If you leave them to rot in prison like you suggested, people are going to be upset that the society is paying to keep them alive(surely it would be better to get rid of them?)
If you eventually execute them like some countries do now, some people(like you) are upset that we make a show out of it - we don't. If one occurs it's a result of a judicial system that takes years to reach a final decision,and then we are "too humane" to just shoot people in the head without giving them the last meal.
And of course there is the last option of executing people on the spot - caught a child molester during the act? Why not shoot them right there, it is literally saving the taxpayer millions in costs of trials, judges,lawyers etc. No one can argue that it would not be a huge saving for the society. But I think we can do better than dispensing justice on a whim. As much as I enjoy Judge Dredd comics, I would not like to live in his universe.
Also, one could argue that a much better system would be about rehabilitation,not punishment, and in such system death sentence is simply not needed.
Re: Death Row – Last words of every Texas inmate executed since 1982
#73Earlier quoted context omitted.
Because a disproportionate number of people sentenced to death are non-white.
From the data: White 231 (44.9%) Black 190 (36.9%) Hispanic 92 (17.9%) Other 2 (0.4%)
Just to clarify: you're providing this data to support the assertion you're replying to, right? Since 36.9% is about triple the proportion of African-Americans among US citizens in general? (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_the_United_Stat...)
Re: Death Row – Last words of every Texas inmate executed since 1982
#74This list is yet another example of how the condemned receive something that neither their victims nor most other convicts get: a ceremonial death. They get last words. A last meal. Last rites with the clergy. Candlelight vigil by those against capital punishment. Final appeals to the courts and to the governor for clemency. Witnesses to the execution. To rot in obscurity would be greater punishment for these people.…
I'm against capital punishment, but I'm glad that at least the state has higher standards than murderers when it comes to killing people.
Re: Death Row – Last words of every Texas inmate executed since 1982
#75One of the best:
"Somebody needs to kill my trial attorney."
George Harris Executed in Missouri on September 13, 2000 for a murder. http://wgrd.com/the-weirdest-last-words-by-death-row-inmates...
Clearly he didn't get a good lawyer.
Re: Death Row – Last words of every Texas inmate executed since 1982
#76This list is yet another example of how the condemned receive something that neither their victims nor most other convicts get: a ceremonial death. They get last words. A last meal. Last rites with the clergy. Candlelight vigil by those against capital punishment. Final appeals to the courts and to the governor for clemency. Witnesses to the execution. To rot in obscurity would be greater punishment for these people.…
Very interesting contra-view. Thank you.
Re: Death Row – Last words of every Texas inmate executed since 1982
#77Note that this text is in some cases censored. See Cameron Todd Willingham's statement: "Yeah. The only statement I want to make is that I am an innocent man - convicted of a crime I did not commit. I have been persecuted for 12 years for something I did not do. From God's dust I came and to dust I will return - so the earth shall become my throne. I gotta go, road dog. I love you Gabby. [Remaining portion of stateme…
There's a strange sense of morality in being able to execute someone but not show their full last words due to swearing. The US media seems to view the world in a similar way.
It isn't the morality. It is the fear that we'll turn them into martyrs.
Re: Death Row – Last words of every Texas inmate executed since 1982
#78Earlier quoted context omitted.
Because in politics the cover up is often more damaging than the initial transgression? Because the state does not feel that they have done anything wrong and therefore has nothing to gain by appearing to hide information from the public?
Or because there is nothing to hide? From the data: White 231 (44.9%) Black 190 (36.9%) Hispanic 92 (17.9%) Other 2 (0.4%)
No Asian person has been executed?
Re: Death Row – Last words of every Texas inmate executed since 1982
#79Earlier quoted context omitted.
Man. Thanks for posting that. That hits hard. > Tonight, we tell our children that in some instances, in some cases, killing is right. > a system that is supposed to protect and uphold what is just and right can be so much like me when I made the same shameful mistake.
And on the flip side... If you let your emotions get the better of you one time, there's always 2nd chance. Which lesson should be taught to kids?
Redemption.
Re: Death Row – Last words of every Texas inmate executed since 1982
#80This list is yet another example of how the condemned receive something that neither their victims nor most other convicts get: a ceremonial death. They get last words. A last meal. Last rites with the clergy. Candlelight vigil by those against capital punishment. Final appeals to the courts and to the governor for clemency. Witnesses to the execution. To rot in obscurity would be greater punishment for these people.…
Disgusting as it may be, there are only a few options here, and none of them are going to make everyone happy. If you leave them to rot in prison like you suggested, people are going to be upset that the society is paying to keep them alive(surely it would be better to get rid of them?) If you eventually execute them like some countries do now, some people(like you) are upset that we make a show out of it - we don't.…
> people are going to be upset that the society is paying to keep them alive
Last time I checked, it was cheaper to keep them in prison for the rest of their lives then to go through all the money in court costs. It might have changed, but the economics favor a lifetime incarceration.