The Death Penalty

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In Georgia on Wednesday, inmate Troy Davis was scheduled to be executed for the 1989 murder of an off duty police officer. Moments before his execution Davis was granted a stay. As I write this there aren't many details out explain why the stay was granted, but you can click HERE for an update.

There are 37 states who have death penalty statutes, but a few of those haven't performed an execution in over 30 years and a few others have ruled them unconstitutional. Canada eliminated the death penalty in 1976.

I don't believe in the death penalty. I don't think anyone has the right to end another's life. Davis didn't have the right to kill the off duty police officer and I don't think the state of Georgia has the right to kill him. To use a cliche, two wrongs don't make a right. Some may call it justice, but I feel like nothing can be done to make up for the death of the innocent.

On top of that, conviction in a court of law is not absolute. Mistakes can be made. 

I hope Troy Davis' stay lasts forever.

UPDATE #1: I read this in today's Star Phoenix
Clifford Olson confessed to killing 11 children in BC over 30 years ago. Victims families were just told that Olson is dying of cancer. Victim's mother, Sharon  said this: "I'm trying to come to terms with the feelings of our family," Rosenfeldt said from Ottawa. "I spoke with all of my family last night and we all have mixed emotions about it. My son summed it up by saying, 'Mom, even though he's going to die — we still don't have Daryn.'"

UPDATE #2: I heard on the radio on the way to work
Kyle Unger was wrong convicted of murder and spent 14 years in prison. He made news today because he is suing for compension ($14.5 million).

Comments

  1. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    have you ever seen the movie "Life of David Gale" It is one of my favorites and really shows exactly what kind of mistakes can be made.

    Jodi K.

    ReplyDelete
  2. DianneSeptember 22, 2011 at 6:38 PM

    I, too, am against the death penalty. It's the people left behind that are hurt the most when someone dies, whether it be an accident, a murder, an unexplained event, or so-called "justice". What right do we have to take away someone's son, daughter, mother, father, sister, brother, friend because of that person's mistakes?

    ReplyDelete

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