tennhillbilly: Exactly what do you mean in "error" in executions?? How many "innocent " men are in prison? Again, if the general public could read ALL the evidence and details in each case you would probably feel different. I probably have become a very hard hearted man, being around convicted felons for 30+ years. Don't believe everything you see on TV or read.
First off tennhiilbilly, I'm not exactly opposed to capital punishment in many iron glad cases, or in theory. But for example, the Barry Scheck group has gotten over 100 death roll inmate's sentences commuted or vacated, mostly based on DNA science...this means the perps that did the alleged crimes got off Scot free. I use to play golf with a DA who once told me that probably 10% of the people in prison are likely innocent and had poor representation, or made a deal....also said 10% may be light, but likely the accused did some other crimes that justified their imprisonment anyway..
Rickie Perry presided over 234 executions in Texas, yet we are told that capitale punishment is a deterent to murder. .. . So I, and others, now see some error in the process....enough to re-think capital punishment policies. Of course, this doesn't affect the Rickie Perrys of the world, but others see a problem in the whole process...enough to say, "wait a minute, let's take a closer look."
Since, nobody will step up and answer my simple question--but I will....0% error is acceptable in Cap punishment cases, imo.
..TM7
"the Barry Scheck group has gotten over 100 death roll inmate's sentences commuted or vacated,". I wonder how many were commuted and how many were vacated? Two different things. Commuted does not mean the convict was NOT guilty.
The thing a lot of people don't think about is their tax dollars put people in prison and on death row and their tax dollars are used to get people out of prison, or off death row. Taxes pay the DAs ,Judges and defense attorneys (in most cases.) Taxes pay POST conviction attorneys to represnt convicts to get them off death row and sentences reduced after entering prison. MONEY ON BOTH ENDS.
Deterent ?? It does one for sure. Do you think a man thinks about being put to death before he pulls the trigger? Nope, only after.
Is there a deterent for murder? It's not about being a deterent, it's about closure. Put yourself in a mother's-father's-child's shoes that had a loved one murdered...Could you sleep good at night knowing the murderer is recieving free meals-clothing-health care-dental care-haircuts-no electric bills-no water bills-no rent-room service AND CAN STILL SEE THE ONES THEY LOVE.
Rick Perry was doing what he was elected to do, and followed the law of the land. Laws put in place by elected officials. People you (if you live in Texas) put in office to make the laws. He was following the laws of the people.
We can't have it both ways. Innocent men in prison? probably. Innocent men exocuted? could be but I don't know of any. But it's a sword that cuts both ways. People DO get away with murder. What percent is acceptable for murders to walk free? Your 10 %?
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If these high powered lawyers can't get a man off death row in 20 years in this day and age with DNA and other means at their disposal.....what does that say?? I say the bottom just fell out of your 10%.