Quote:
Originally Posted by gstelmack
The point is deterrence to prevent someone ELSE from affecting his or anyone else's life by putting massive consequences on this type of behavior.
But your point on money spent between this and his accepted appeal is a good one.
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Do you really think anyone's ever refrained from murder because of a potential death sentence v. life in prison?
And do you really think that number is higher than the number of murderers who have gotten off COMPLETELY because a one or two jurors couldn't bring themselves to take someone's life?
It's a gigantic waste of money. And a huge strain on victims.
Here in Idaho, the Supreme Court has yet again ordered a re-sentencing of a murderer on death row. So the family of the victim, now close to a decade after the crime, have to do the whole thing all over again, with the victim impact statements, etc. Idaho still hasn't managed to execute anyone in 14 years. And state government employees are now being required to take mandatory unpaid time off because of budget problems, and layoffs are surely on the way.
And what's the point? So we can gently tie this guy down, and painlessly send him off to an everlasting nap? What the hell kind of punishment is that? With any luck, his natural death will be much more agonizing.