This is Why I Support the Death Penalty

[CaptainHaplo]

I don't think the 100 to 1 ratio was innocent vs guilt - but rather 100 "most likely did it" to the 1 "undeniably proven guilty". Remember that the standard in our court system is termed "reasonable doubt", not "without any doubt".

Here is the thing with the death penalty. I have no issue applying it on cases where it is called for, and guilt is clear, or admitted to. However, there are a number of cases where people were proven innocent after they were executed. That has to be a concern.

However, life imprisonment is not a good option either. It costs the taxpayers money to keep these people up, they do nothing constructive, nor - with a life sentence - can they be rehabilitated. After all - why rehabilitate when your never going to see the light of day. Its a joke.

The idea of making criminals work is fine, except that "work camps" have been sued numerous times and are just about non-existant now (with a few notable exceptions) because it is claimed that such is "cruel and unusual punishment". The conditions you guys describe above would fit that easily under today's standards, and thus would never be allowed.

My view on this is real simple actually. If there is DNA or other proof, there is no such thing as a "life" sentence. Its death - in any capital (aka the victim died) case. The defendant has one year incarcerated to prepare and file the appropriate appeals. At the end of that one year time, his opportunity to file is frozen, the existing appeals are allowed to proceed, and if he is still condemned at the end of the process, the sentence is carried out in a timely manner - aka 1 week from the final judicial decision. He has that one week to make clemency requests to the governor of his state, as well as settle his affairs through family as needed, and make his peace with his maker if he so chooses.

Is it perfect? No - but no system is. However, keeping criminals on the taxpayers dimes (actually its tens of thousands of dollars a year), while they tie up the legal system will every bull**** appeal they can, enjoying cable tv, a free gym (whereas most law abiding citizens have to pay to use one), free health care, free legal representation, etc....... - is a travesty.

If your in for 10 - fine - you should be MADE to be doing things that show your rehabilitating - training etc. If you don't - you don't get out until you show you HAVE done what is necessary to be productive and responsible in society. If your in for life - then your not getting out - so why not go ahead and decrease the cost and stupidity your continued existence puts on society?

And yes - drunk drivers that kill should also get the death penalty. Sorry - but you chose to drink and drive and thus kill someone, just as a robber chose to pull a trigger during a holdup.