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Original poster

AIBU to ask whether the death penalty should apply for certain crimes in the UK?

664 replies

PenelopeJoanSterling · 13/07/2026 23:04

Because the topics got mixed up on my previous thread i thought id ask here, for certain types of crime in the uk, would you be either for or against the death penalty for certain crimes and why ?

OP posts:
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LizzieW1969 · 13/07/2026 23:33

What about a convicted serial killer like Lucy Letby? Who might very well not be guilty? Wrongful convictions will always still be a possibility in an imperfect criminal justice system. If they’ve been executed, there’s no going back.

Mingou · 13/07/2026 23:32

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Probably not.

CheeseAndChocolatePARTY · 13/07/2026 23:32

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Original poster
PenelopeJoanSterling · 13/07/2026 23:32

randomchap · 13/07/2026 23:30

That won't bring the innocent back to life.

Did you read about any of those cases before replying?

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im talking about going forward with better tech better forensics not using old cases as reasons not to

OP posts:
randomchap · 13/07/2026 23:32

lazymaw · 13/07/2026 23:31

i’d gladly fry child killers/rapists, serial killers, mass murderers/terrorists, genocidal maniacs like hitler etc. All completely justifiable and fair in my book. Maybe that makes me a savage but i don’t care. These people can’t be in society and I don’t want to pay to keep them alive so…🤷‍♀️

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Miscarriages of justice? Just unlucky for the innocent person killed by the state?

TheCurious0range · 13/07/2026 23:32

PenelopeJoanSterling · 13/07/2026 23:30

that one id say not yet, the whole case is fishy at best

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So where does the line get drawn? You end up with a US death row for 30 years system. Saving nothing , costing more in constant appeals and legal process, for what end?

Mingou · 13/07/2026 23:31

hoppitywhoosh · 13/07/2026 23:30

I’m sure the parents of those little girls would advocate it fully.

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I wouldn't be so sure of that.

lazymaw · 13/07/2026 23:31

Pedant61 · 13/07/2026 23:06

Against. Always. There is no crime for which a death penalty could ever be justifiable. We are not savages.

i’d gladly fry child killers/rapists, serial killers, mass murderers/terrorists, genocidal maniacs like hitler etc. All completely justifiable and fair in my book. Maybe that makes me a savage but i don’t care. These people can’t be in society and I don’t want to pay to keep them alive so…🤷‍♀️

randomchap · 13/07/2026 23:30

PenelopeJoanSterling · 13/07/2026 23:29

but then if we learn from those cases ?

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That won't bring the innocent back to life.

Did you read about any of those cases before replying?

Original poster
PenelopeJoanSterling · 13/07/2026 23:30

TheCurious0range · 13/07/2026 23:29

What would you do with Lucy Letby OP? Convicted of multiple child murders. I personally believe she is guilty but there's plenty who don't, and yet she's been convicted, is she off to the gallows?

Edited

that one id say not yet, the whole case is fishy at best

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TheCurious0range · 13/07/2026 23:30

Mingou · 13/07/2026 23:29

You advocate killing an autistic 17 year old with a history of serious difficulties?

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The money should be spent on the failings in the system, particularly around mental health and children's social care. Not on killing people

CheeseAndChocolatePARTY · 13/07/2026 23:30

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hoppitywhoosh · 13/07/2026 23:30

Mingou · 13/07/2026 23:29

You advocate killing an autistic 17 year old with a history of serious difficulties?

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I’m sure the parents of those little girls would advocate it fully.

TheCurious0range · 13/07/2026 23:29

What would you do with Lucy Letby OP? Convicted of multiple child murders. I personally believe she is guilty but there's plenty who don't, and yet she's been convicted, is she off to the gallows?

Original poster
PenelopeJoanSterling · 13/07/2026 23:29

randomchap · 13/07/2026 23:28

Or Sally Clark
Angela Cannings
Donna Anthony

Read up about them and tell me they should have been killed by the state as collateral damage.

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but then if we learn from those cases ?

OP posts:
Mingou · 13/07/2026 23:29

ALovelyPinkUnicorn · 13/07/2026 23:26

I agree with this, is anyone wanting to argue his case?

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You advocate killing an autistic 17 year old with a history of serious difficulties?

ColdAsAWitches · 13/07/2026 23:28

hattie43 · 13/07/2026 23:25

yes I think some people are beyond redemption and their crimes so heinous I would support the death penalty . I think with serial killers or mass murderers like terrorists where DNA is present at multiple sites the risks of miscarriage would be rare .

Rare, but not eliminated. So how many innocent people executed is an acceptable number to you? 5, 10, 50? You've already agreed with a state system for murdering people, so you must be fine with some. Will you do it yourself, or is that too messy for you. You're going to outsource your murder of people who haven't committed a crime?

TheCurious0range · 13/07/2026 23:28

PenelopeJoanSterling · 13/07/2026 23:27

ill get back to you on that

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Nor my point about longer term cultural impact

randomchap · 13/07/2026 23:28

Frequency · 13/07/2026 23:25

Should, but don't. Did the Post Office scandal pass you by? Ever heard of Andrew Malkinson or Peter Sullivan?

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Or Sally Clark
Angela Cannings
Donna Anthony

Read up about them and tell me they should have been killed by the state as collateral damage.

Original poster
PenelopeJoanSterling · 13/07/2026 23:27

TheCurious0range · 13/07/2026 23:26

You didn't answer my point about recidivism OP

ill get back to you on that

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GoneWithTHeWindJammers · 13/07/2026 23:27

JHound · 13/07/2026 23:16

If we had it I doubt he would qualify as even when it was legal here we did not execute minors.

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People always quote the Southport killer, forgetting that he was under 18 at the time of his offences and that under international law could not face the death penalty. Only these 4 countries execute people under 18 : Iran, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and South Sudan.

Weeellokthen · 13/07/2026 23:27

No, and not because of my morality. Some people should suffer for a long long time and not get an escape through death.

Original poster
PenelopeJoanSterling · 13/07/2026 23:27

Frequency · 13/07/2026 23:25

Should, but don't. Did the Post Office scandal pass you by? Ever heard of Andrew Malkinson or Peter Sullivan?

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andrew was 2004, id like to think tech has improved in 20 years

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TheCurious0range · 13/07/2026 23:26

You didn't answer my point about recidivism OP

ALovelyPinkUnicorn · 13/07/2026 23:26

hoppitywhoosh · 13/07/2026 23:09

In cases where they can be no doubt of guilt and the crimes are heinous then maybe. Southport attacker for example. Why should we pay for such an evil waste of space?

I agree with this, is anyone wanting to argue his case?