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Original poster

Death sentences

350 replies

usernamechanged1 · 30/03/2023 20:14

Saw on another thread a couple of “he should hang” type comments in respect to a man who has been convicted of murder. The victim was 9 (Olivia Pratt-Korbel).

I expect it’ll be a resounding no, but does anyone genuinely feel that there should be a death option for certain crimes?

Or are these throwaway comments people tend to make in response to particularly shocking/heinous crimes?

OP posts:
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5
NetballHoop · 30/03/2023 20:19

I will never support the death penalty.

I can envisage situations where I might feel utter visceral hatred for another person but I won't be complicit in killing.

stbrandonsboat · 30/03/2023 20:23

I'm a Christian and my faith teaches that the death penalty is wrong because it denies the person the chance to repent.

nocoolnamesleft · 30/03/2023 20:24

There may be people who deserve a death sentence. But I don't want to live in a society where we mete it out to them. It would diminish us all. And that's quite apart from miscarriages of justice.

Todaynotalways · 30/03/2023 20:24

I would never support the death penalty, the risk of miscarriages of justice is too high, and I don't think it's ever right to take a life.

There are, however, people who I wouldn't mind if they happened to drop dead spontaneously.

stairgates · 30/03/2023 20:25

I would vote to bring it back, some people arent worth keeping alive

LakeTiticaca · 30/03/2023 20:25

No death sentence but anyone found guilty of murder should being handed a whole life sentence.
Some of the so called life sentences handed down are an absolute joke

Poppins2016 · 30/03/2023 20:26

Todaynotalways · 30/03/2023 20:24

I would never support the death penalty, the risk of miscarriages of justice is too high, and I don't think it's ever right to take a life.

There are, however, people who I wouldn't mind if they happened to drop dead spontaneously.

That's so similar to what I was about to write that I'll just say that I agree...

Middletoleft · 30/03/2023 20:26

I can't agree with the death penalty. The US shows that it's not a deterrent and abhorrent to boot.

SunshineGeorgie · 30/03/2023 20:28

How would it help?

The perpetrator has family and friends. The crime committed is not their fault. children are still entitled to a relationship with that person,no matter the crime

SunshineGeorgie · 30/03/2023 20:29

And who would your executioner be?

Suzi888 · 30/03/2023 20:29

Yup. I would support it in cases where there is irrefutable evidence of guilt and the most heinous crime has been committed.

MaidOfSteel · 30/03/2023 20:29

Two wrongs don't make a right; the death penalty drags society down to the level of the criminal, if not lower.

The death penalty also does nothing to deter criminals - look at America.

3peassuit · 30/03/2023 20:29

No, no return to the death penalty. I do think certain crimes should carry a whole life tariff.

duoplik · 30/03/2023 20:30

On paper no but if it was my loved one brutally killed etc then I'd be for it.

mintbiscuit · 30/03/2023 20:30

Middletoleft · 30/03/2023 20:26

I can't agree with the death penalty. The US shows that it's not a deterrent and abhorrent to boot.

This.

I could also never serve on a jury where that could be handed down

Skipitea · 30/03/2023 20:30

I'd support it. And I'd flip the switch on child molesters and killers myself and sleep soundly after.

MajorCarolDanvers · 30/03/2023 20:31

Its a no from me.

I don't want to live in a country where the state kills people.

You just have to look at the list of countries that do this. Its not a club we should aspire to join.

And miscarriages of justice.

RunningFromInsanity · 30/03/2023 20:32

Yes. We have the science and technology now to be confident in serious crime cases.

SweetPetrichor · 30/03/2023 20:32

No, because the process of ensuring the perpetrator is truly the perpetrator is drawn out and costly before ever reaching death row. You can release someone from prison in the case of error, but you can’t bring someone back to life. And ultimately, I believe that our justice system should focus on rehabilitation rather than ‘eye for an eye’ punishment.

SunshineGeorgie · 30/03/2023 20:32

Skipitea · 30/03/2023 20:30

I'd support it. And I'd flip the switch on child molesters and killers myself and sleep soundly after.

You wouldn't

ancientgran · 30/03/2023 20:34

No. I am just old enough to remember my mum and gran and aunts being very upset the day they executed Ruth Ellis. I was too young to understand but the feeling was something I won't forget. So no I would never support the death penalty.

corblimeym8 · 30/03/2023 20:36

Middletoleft · 30/03/2023 20:26

I can't agree with the death penalty. The US shows that it's not a deterrent and abhorrent to boot.

Justice isn't about deterring only, it's also about punishment. Imprisonment isn't a deterrent but it keeps us safe and punishes offenders to an extent

Not saying I support the death penalty. There's the chance of mistakes and even if it was rare, possibility of perps killing witnesses

But yeah, it's not really intended as a deterrent first and foremost. It's a punishment and removing people who are deemed so bad they can never repent etc

Mycathatesmecuddling · 30/03/2023 20:36

No I don't support the death sentence

Partly because the US shows that juries are less likely to convict if there is a chance of the death sentence

Partly because it actually costs more than keeping people in jail due to all the appeals etc

Partly because it doesn't deter crime any more than any other punishment

Partly because all the ways they use to administer it are problematic

Partly because I believe saying 'if you kill someone we will kill you' is similar to trying to teach a child not to hit by hitting them - violence never solves violence

Partly because the murder rate in death penalty states is higher than the murder rate in non death penalty states

And partly because I find it abhorrent on a moral level

sorrynotathome · 30/03/2023 20:38

No. Never.

TuesdayJulyNever · 30/03/2023 20:39

Firstly - a death penalty might make it more likely that a criminal kills his victim, or refuses to reveal where a body is buried.

A significant proportion of killers kill or attempt to kill themselves which suggests that the death penalty is less of a deterrent than prison.

I can also think of cases where parents of a child victim appealed to the judge not to apply a death sentence because the system of appeals and protest would mean they could never grieve or hope to find peace. A life sentence would have meant the killer would sink into obscurity.

Those are some of the reasons I don’t support death sentences but I passionately believe there should be life sentences.