While I find it odd to be agreeing in part there are some good points made. I too am in favor of "long term" imprisonment for rapists, and thieves, however, even the made up profession of psychiatry agrees that pedophiles are generally NOT rehabilitatable (is that a word? most likely not, but you get it) But on the other hand I have seen in my past career numerous allegations of child molestation that were NOT, and alleged rapes, that were NOT. Most of these FALSE allegations came out of local governmental offices such as Dept. of Human Services, and Child Protective Services, where the only real requirement for employment was some type of College Degree.
On the other hand, a former, now deceased, co worker, took a statement (confession) from a 23 year old white male, where the suspect described how he KNEW that the six month old girl he molested "enjoyed the sex" by the look on her face. Yes, he went to the pen, but is most likely out now, as he got less than 20 years, and this was in 1982. He is likely walkin the streets somewhere here in Texas. He should have been put down.
As far as the Death Penalty I am fully in favor of it, PROVIDED that all avenues of proof have been chased to the fullest, but having much experience in the investigative side, I have seen prosecutors hold back evidence that might damage his case, as well as defense lawyers hold back proof of guilt. So with lawyers involved on both sides, and with said egos wanting to win, it is much like jockeys at a race track, taking turns winning for the bonuses, with the horse having little to do with the actual race, other than providing transportation.
As Ron White said, "Down here in Texas if you kill someone, we will kill you back". I agree with this joke. I have arrested folks that needed arrested, should never have been arrested, proved to be guilty, and proved to be falsely accused, and I have met numerous folks during my career that truly needed killing.
A more recent example of the later, would be the killing of the Colorado Warden, and the wounding of the Texas law officer by the same man. He was released due to a PAPER ERROR, and killed two people in Colorado, and tried to kill others in Texas before being killed himself.
It is expensive, and troublesome to feed a dog that bites for no reason, and putting said dog down before someone gets bit AGAIN, makes more sense.
