Illinois becomes 16th state to ban death penalty

[miraja2]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

honestly, cold blooded killers and people who rape kids dont deserve the use of oxygen.

The major problem is that - even today - people are sometimes wrongfully convicted of these crimes. There have been a lot of strange cases where new evidence emerges ten or more years down the road that exonerates a person who has been convicted. If you sentence a person to life in prison, and then some case takes an odd twist at some future date, the person might still have a chance to enjoy some part of their remaining life. Once they're executed, however, its obviously too late.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by miraja2

The major problem is that - even today - people are sometimes wrongfully convicted of these crimes. There have been a lot of strange cases where new evidence emerges ten or more years down the road that exonerates a person who has been convicted. If you sentence a person to life in prison, and then some case takes an odd twist at some future date, the person might still have a chance to enjoy some part of their remaining life. Once they're executed, however, its obviously too late.

thats why I put a lot of weight on DNA evidence. I have no problem executing these monsters when the DNA evidence is there.

IMO, DNA makes a big difference in wrongful convictions, I could see where the were more prevelent back 20 years, even 10 years ago. I'm sure there are still wrongful convictions... but if the DNA is there, go for the execution.

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

thats why I put a lot of weight on DNA evidence. I have no problem executing these monsters when the DNA evidence is there.

IMO, DNA makes a big difference in wrongful convictions, I could see where the were more prevelent back 20 years, even 10 years ago. I'm sure there are still wrongful convictions... but if the DNA is there, go for the execution.

I understand the power of DNA evidence but I question how often it is the determining factor in capital offenses, many times there is no DNA evidence or it is inconclusive. I watch the virtual explosion in science in the last 20 years or so and have to wonder....10-20 years from now, what new techniques will have been developed? Yesterday's science fiction is today's science. Will, for example, we be able to examine the optic nerves of murder victims and be able to produce images of their last minutes? If so, how many murderers will that convict and how many innocent folks could that technology clear?

[dellinger63]

I would imagine someone, somewhere has already 'planted' DNA evidence as a safeguard. But when you review the case details of those who Quinn let off death row there really is no question of guilt DNA or not.

And the thought of life in prison being worse than the death penalty is ludicrous. I'll wager not a single one of the 16 let off will commit suicide and far more appeal the death sentence rather than waive rights and quicken the process.

[joeydb]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

thats why I put a lot of weight on DNA evidence. I have no problem executing these monsters when the DNA evidence is there.

IMO, DNA makes a big difference in wrongful convictions, I could see where the were more prevelent back 20 years, even 10 years ago. I'm sure there are still wrongful convictions... but if the DNA is there, go for the execution.

Interesting. DNA evidence is also why I'm opposed to abortion. See the other thread if you are curious.

And I'm all for using the DNA evidence in capital cases to make absolutely certain that no innocent people are executed.

[dellinger63]

Originally Posted by joeydb

And I'm all for using the DNA evidence in capital cases to make absolutely certain that no innocent people are executed.

Not if your barber whacked someone and left a few of your hairs (the ones he pulled off combing your hair) at the scene.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

Originally Posted by dellinger63

Not if your barber whacked someone and left a few of your hairs (the ones he pulled off combing your hair) at the scene.

tony..the barber..sets up the fatman..

[dellinger63]

Originally Posted by hoovesupsideyourhead

tony..the barber..sets up the fatman..

what's done is done lol... Hopefully Tony is still around tho he'd be in his 90's now.