Death Row – Last words of every Texas inmate executed since 1982

Post by lmm » Fri, May 30, 2014, 5:15 PM UTC

gambiting wrote: post #72

massysett wrote: post #58

This 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.…

Post by justizin » Fri, May 30, 2014, 5:18 PM UTC

thesis wrote: post #61

josai wrote: post #60

Earlier 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?

Post by mikestew » Fri, May 30, 2014, 5:23 PM UTC

giarc wrote: post #28

seren wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Skimming the list, it seems only few of them are really repentant and understood the consequences of what they did. But, for the few of them, especially those referring to their family and children, it is hard to see what benefits their death will bring. Maybe some closure for the victim's family, but in some case, it sounds like the guy being executed as not much more in common with the criminal.

"I don’t think the world will be a better or safer place without me." If they aren't executed, they will spend the rest of their life in jail. So by executing them our gains are two fold. 1. save tax dollars over keeping them in jail long term 2. give victims families peace Something to think about.

Post by apta » Fri, May 30, 2014, 5:24 PM UTC

josai wrote: post #33

mherdeg wrote: post #5

Note 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…

I find it profoundly dissonant that, while reporting the last words of people who were then legally murdered by the state (an inexcusable, brutal injustice, to my mind), the functionaries responsible yet found prissiness enough to cut out the swear words. State-sanctioned murder? No problemo! A couple of swear words in the victim's dying breaths? Woah, hold it right there - there might be children present. Unbelievab…

Post by jaredmcateer » Fri, May 30, 2014, 5:33 PM UTC

nsxwolf wrote: post #6

vowelless wrote: post #3

The title should be " ... of every inmate executed in Texas since 1982." From reddit [1], here is a word cloud: http://imgur.com/t61UIgH [1] http://www.reddit.com/r/dataisbeautiful/comments/26rui7/oc_a...

Interesting comment on that word cloud: "Wonder what their victims word cloud would look like? "Mercy" "Please" "I'm begging" "I want my Mommy!" "Help""