repeal the death penalty?????
Here in MD legislation is being introduced to permanently abolish the death penalty. Why?
If used correctly this could be a very good deterant for criminals however its use has been declining since the 1950's. Let's take a look at the numbers: Executions per year:
1926 - 2
1927 - 4
1928 - 3
1932 - 3
1935 - 4
1936 - 2
1938 - 2
1940 - 6
1941 - 5
1942 - 5
1943 - 6
1944 - 4
1945 - 4
1946 - 5
1947 - 4
1948 - 4
1949 - 3
There were others in the years in between, but usually only one per year in those years. In 1961 there was ONE execution and then there is a HUGE GAP untill 1994 when ONE more execution was performed. There was one execution also in each 1997 and 1998.
How can something be deemed inaffective when its only disfunction is non-use? Look at the population differences from present day and compare them to the 1920's 1930's and 1940's!!! Shouldn't the number of executions have gone UP significantly seeing as how we have WAY more people in our state now than we did then?
Sure, innocent people go to prison. Sure, we need an appeals process, which we have already, in place. But how many times should someone fail to prove their innocence before you just say 'alright then, enough tax-paying dollars spent to feed and house you. you're not innocent after your second or third appeal so it's time for you to actually pay for the crime in which you continue to be guilty of committing.'?????
This kinder/gentler thought process has spread to those in law enforcement as dicussed in my last blog entry. WHY???? Where is this state going to find the money to keep creating new prisons to house the influx of criminals growing up in or relocating to this area? Why should the taxpayers be burdened with putting up convicted murderers in life-long hotels feeding them well, giving them a relaxing responsibility free stay for life? Studies are now showing that those in the prison system are living longer than the rest of our population because they have NO STRESS, and NO RESPONSIBILTIES!!!! Of course they live longer! No bills to pay, no medical care to worry about, no groceries to buy, no job to attend everyday, recreation FOUR times a day, candy and ice cream on holidays, visits with family and friends FOUR TIMES A WEEK and ZERO responsibilty for your actions past present or future....
1955 - the last hanging in the state. Too cruel
1961 - although still pretty new this is the LAST execution by gas chamber in the state. (Gas chamber is the white Protrusion on the wall with the windows in it on the far wall in the picture above..)
1994 - new change to lethal injection. This would take care of John Thanos in 1994 - remember him? nice guy....
I have been in the room where the gas chamber sits.(see picture above) I have seen the table Thanos comfortably lay on for his lethal injection. Lethal injection generally takes SEVEN minutes. The worst pain the offender feels is the first stick of the first needle. After that they don't feel anything. Ever gotten a needle? Who hasn't? Not that much of an inconvenience, getting a needle.... How about the victims? Their families? Think that pain went away as fast as a needle stick? Certainly not.
It's time to start treating violent criminals like the people that they are. Or aren't....
I believe it's time to start using the death penalty the way it was intended. Special exeptions have been made to protect the mentally retarded etc. etc. The only way to allow it to deter is to USE IT. We should be executing MANY MANY people per year for the things they have done. If you cannot be found to be innocent after two appeals, then you are guilty. We have things like DNA evidence now, and some of the best forensics available. In this day and age if you are guilty, YOU ARE GUILTY!!!!! Some people will say that life in prison is punishment enough, or even cruel and unusual punishment, but it's not. If the judge/jury says death, lets hold them to that. Not every Tom Dick and Harry who murders someone even faces the CHANCE of the death penalty. Only those heinous crimes meet the criteria for this. Why is that so hard to understand??
Anyway, ask for a blog entry and you shall receive.... Gotta go!
Visit : http://www.dpscs.state.md.us/publicinfo/capitalpunishment/ for more information. This is mostly historical data...
posted by Z-Man @ 6:18 AM
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