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Original poster

Death Penalty?

204 replies

Ifailed · 27/12/2020 09:52

Just seen a post on FB suggesting Priti Patel has asked for a paper on the restoration of the death penalty, now we have left the EU. Of course it could be completely false, but if true would you support the idea?

I wouldn't, simply because we know that innocent people in the past have been killed.

OP posts:
Shinylikeglass · 27/12/2020 13:24

I'm sure there's evidence that juries are less likely to return a guilty verdict if the death penalty in prospect, so as well as the risk that wrongly convicted people die, there's also an increased likelihood that the guilty go free.

ChardonnaysPetDragon · 27/12/2020 13:28

We might not be but the government are.

Has there been a government proposal?

Bbq1 · 27/12/2020 13:32

Yes, 100% bring it back. Where there is no doubt of the crime so for murderers, paedophiles and similar. For Venables and Thompson when they came of age. Prison is too good for them. We are paying to keep scum like that alive, some in better living conditions than they had outside and helping people like Hindley get degree's etc.

JonHammIsMyJamm · 27/12/2020 13:36

I’m not a supporter of capital punishment

I’m not a supporter of Priti Patel

I’m not a supporter of the Conservative Party

BUT as I pointed out on the other Death Penalty thread, this seems to have come out of someone posting the infamous 2011 QT clip of Priti Patel & Ian Hislop talking about it, on Twitter a couple of weeks ago. The hard of thinking have run with it.

  1. It’s an old clip. There doesn’t seem to be any reliable evidence to suggest a mooted change in policy today.

  2. We can’t bring it back under Human Rights conventions

  3. She changed her mind on the death penalty back in 2015/2016.

sashh · 27/12/2020 13:41

I've watched the evil bastard who murdered my daughter walk free on a Not Proven verdict.
Yes, I'm I favour of the death penalty.

I'm so sorry you and your dd did not get justice.

I'm a little confused though, surely removing 'not proven' verdicts would be more useful to aid convictions?

If I was on a jury I'm not sure I could find someone guilty if I know that would mean the death penalty.

BananaPop2020 · 27/12/2020 14:07

There is also a big difference between justice and revenge that people need to acknowledge.

Crankley · 27/12/2020 14:10

I think it's bullshit and would give no credence to FB whatsoever.

AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken · 27/12/2020 14:12

I am not for the death penalty. Equally, I couldn't sit opposite the mother of a child who was raped, tortured and murdered and argue for why the perpetrator deserves to live either.
I'm not sure where I fall with it. I'm glad the decision is out of my hands.

Gilead · 27/12/2020 14:59

Bbq1, Please explain to me how your point of view copes with people like my child?

BananaPop2020 · 27/12/2020 15:04

@Gilead she won’t be able to.

MrsWhites · 27/12/2020 15:21

@Iminaglasscaseofemotion

No, as much as people may want to see someone dead when they commit a horrendous crime, doesn't mean ot should happen.
I agree. Undoubtedly some people don’t deserve to live after committing horrible crimes, but that doesn’t mean that we have the right to take their life!
PetertheWalrus · 27/12/2020 16:28

I don't agree with it but I have a very nasty feeling that, if put to a referendum, the "Yes" vote would be far larger than the "Leave" one was.

Roselilly36 · 27/12/2020 16:29

With advanced DNA, crimes against children, deserve the death penalty IMHO

WitchesGlove · 27/12/2020 16:53

@Bbq1

Yes, 100% bring it back. Where there is no doubt of the crime so for murderers, paedophiles and similar. For Venables and Thompson when they came of age. Prison is too good for them. We are paying to keep scum like that alive, some in better living conditions than they had outside and helping people like Hindley get degree's etc.
We can’t have a justice system based on vengeance.

Prison conditions are a separate issue.

Why not just favour prisons becoming more basic for people with whole life tariffs (like Hindley)?

So no education (pointless waste of money, as cannot be released), cheapest possible food, no TV’s or other entertainment, no heating, cold showers for 5 minutes only, basic clothes, no visits etc.

WitchesGlove · 27/12/2020 16:55

@AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken

I am not for the death penalty. Equally, I couldn't sit opposite the mother of a child who was raped, tortured and murdered and argue for why the perpetrator deserves to live either. I'm not sure where I fall with it. I'm glad the decision is out of my hands.
A life in a really awful, maximum security prison is probably worse than death!

I know which I’d choose.

TheFormerPorpentinaScamander · 27/12/2020 17:34

Has anyone seen the film "They Killed my Son"? Its based on a true story in America. The accused are found guilty of murdering a gay teenager from their Bible-belt Town. The victims parents ask that they are NOT sentenced to death because they want them to live with their guilt everyday. The dad (I think its dad rather than mum) gives a very powerful speech.

I'm against the death penalty and like some PPs am not convinced I could find someone guilty if I knew it would lead to their death.

ParkheadParadise · 27/12/2020 17:40

@TheFormerPorpentinaScamander
From personal experience, evil bastards who commit murder don't feel any guilt.

TheFormerPorpentinaScamander · 27/12/2020 17:45

@ParkheadParadise well there is that argument of course!

JillyCareful · 27/12/2020 17:47

Where do they still have it? The USA. Where is the greatest number of homicides? The USA. It is not a deterrent.

BananaPop2020 · 27/12/2020 17:47

On the other hand, some people who commit murder are tortured by their guilt.

redfernsydney · 27/12/2020 17:49

No. ,I doubt it would ever happen

WitchesGlove · 27/12/2020 17:59

@JillyCareful

Where do they still have it? The USA. Where is the greatest number of homicides? The USA. It is not a deterrent.
It seems to work as a deterrent in countries like Saudi Arabia......
52andblue · 27/12/2020 18:01

@WitchesGlove
Yes there is mileage in your suggestion I think?
(Why not just favour prisons becoming more basic for people with whole life tariffs (like Hindley)?
So no education (pointless waste of money, as cannot be released), cheapest possible food, no TV’s or other entertainment, no heating, cold showers for 5 minutes only, basic clothes, no visits etc.')

Then those who feel that it is wrong that 'the State' feeds / clothes / houses lifers in luxury' could more clearly see that they are having a bad 'life' time as a punishment. Of course, that is not sufficient if you feel that 'a life deserves a life'. I am not sure how I would feel if one of my children had been taken in such a way. It is unimaginable for most of us. My heart goes out to those few who've had that experience.

ParkheadParadise · 27/12/2020 18:03

BananaPop2020

On the other hand, some people who commit murder are tortured by their guilt.

Not as tortured as the victim's families

BananaPop2020 · 27/12/2020 18:06

@ParkheadParadise I am not disputing that. The problem with the death penalty debate is that it always becomes far too reductive and largely based on emotion, which time has shown again and again to be a huge mistake.