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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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Topseyt123 · 31/03/2023 18:32

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.

My thoughts exactly.

Weallgottachangesometime · 31/03/2023 18:40

Having read all the comments my only thought is STILL-

but who is the executioner?

I think it’s wrong for law to require that someone takes someone else’s life. Whatever the reason. If the person is conflicted about their role I can imagine it could cause them distress. If they’re not conflicted…we’ll then it’s concerning to have someone content with their job involving taking lives.

Just can’t get past this thought. So I don’t support death penalty

Zuffe · 31/03/2023 18:44

I'll do it...!

XenoBitch · 31/03/2023 18:47

No. We wont even let people who are suffering at the end of life have a swift passing. It makes no sense to have a system that will allow legal killing of a criminal, but not someone who wants it to escape their own suffering.

Topseyt123 · 31/03/2023 18:49

Topseyt123 · 31/03/2023 18:32

My thoughts exactly.

Just adding that I do believe that life should mean life with no parole, unless of course further information comes to light that casts doubt on the conviction.

Tribblesarelovely · 31/03/2023 18:54

No, if someone I love had been murdered, I’d want the perpetrator to suffer for the rest of his life, in prison. Execution is too easy. Would agree that it should be a full life sentence without parole.

Flandango · 31/03/2023 18:54

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 31/03/2023 18:24

If people were executed it’d have to be “beyond all reasonable doubt” as in the case of Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s murderer. If there was doubt then they should simply be imprisoned.

“beyond all reasonable doubt” as in the case of Sally Clarke. Or the Birmingham 6. Or the Guildford 4?

All guilty convictions are "beyond all reasonable doubt". That doesn't prevent miscarriages of justice

Mycathatesmecuddling · 31/03/2023 18:58

Zuffe · 31/03/2023 18:44

I'll do it...!

These are all women who were convicted of murder when they killed men who were assaulting/abusing them. Are you really sure you are happy to line up and volunteer to kill people convicted of murder?

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Nightlystroll · 31/03/2023 19:01

But do all murder cases result in the death penalty? I think there has to be a particular aggravating nature to the crime. So those three women wouldn't face the death penalty.

meloonhead · 31/03/2023 19:04

These are all women who were convicted of murder when they killed men who were assaulting/abusing them. Are you really sure you are happy to line up and volunteer to kill people convicted of murder?

Unlikely they'd be up for the death penalty, even in America it's not for every murder that they dish it out

Mycathatesmecuddling · 31/03/2023 19:29

But there are people on this thread advocating for the death penalty for murderers, with no qualifications for the brutality of murder, whilst they line up braying to 'flip the switch'

But if all murderers recieve the death penalty then this is the reality of what they are asking for

usernamechanged1 · 31/03/2023 19:42

Mycathatesmecuddling · 31/03/2023 19:29

But there are people on this thread advocating for the death penalty for murderers, with no qualifications for the brutality of murder, whilst they line up braying to 'flip the switch'

But if all murderers recieve the death penalty then this is the reality of what they are asking for

Agree with this.

You can’t equate one of those women shown above to someone killing someone in cold blood. Alexander Pacteau, for example.

You can be on bail while waiting a murder trial, so I think the law already recognises that there are different “levels” within this crime.

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Mycathatesmecuddling · 31/03/2023 19:47

This is Sam Hallam, he was convicted of murdering someone in a street brawl. Except he never did it and even one of the witnesses tried to go back on their testimony in court. He was released after 8 years in prison.

Some people would be comfortable having killed him though according to this thread.

Are you really so sure when you have to actually look at the faces of the people you are so sure you could 'flip the switch' on?

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Zuffe · 31/03/2023 19:58

Mycathatesmecuddling · 31/03/2023 18:58

These are all women who were convicted of murder when they killed men who were assaulting/abusing them. Are you really sure you are happy to line up and volunteer to kill people convicted of murder?

No, not them. Too many mitigating factors. I would let them off.

The others. Most have a common denominator.

justsayingthat · 31/03/2023 19:59

What about the convicted peadophile (in Belmarsh, I believe) who circumcised a 6yo boy with a pair of nail clippers? And admitted it, FYI.

For some crimes, I'm not sure any punishment is enough. I'm also not sure I'd find it abhorrent if someone like this was executed. Would probably prefer that he want given the privilege of 24/7 solitary confinement for his safety.

Zuffe · 31/03/2023 20:00

Mycathatesmecuddling · 31/03/2023 19:47

This is Sam Hallam, he was convicted of murdering someone in a street brawl. Except he never did it and even one of the witnesses tried to go back on their testimony in court. He was released after 8 years in prison.

Some people would be comfortable having killed him though according to this thread.

Are you really so sure when you have to actually look at the faces of the people you are so sure you could 'flip the switch' on?

He looks a nice guy. I might let him off. Might.

It only works for me if I am Judge, Jury and Executioner.

Mycathatesmecuddling · 31/03/2023 20:01

Zuffe · 31/03/2023 19:58

No, not them. Too many mitigating factors. I would let them off.

The others. Most have a common denominator.

Oh so you are judge jury and executioner?

If thats the criminal system you are advocating for where you get to decided who does and doesnt get the death sentence and then administers it then that's a bleaker place than even american states with the death sentence

Mycathatesmecuddling · 31/03/2023 20:02

Zuffe · 31/03/2023 20:00

He looks a nice guy. I might let him off. Might.

It only works for me if I am Judge, Jury and Executioner.

Cross post and wow, those are some personality traits you are bringing out there

Do you really believe you are so infallible you would only kill the people you think deserve to die? Because theres a group of people you share that conviction with....

Zuffe · 31/03/2023 20:03

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

usernamechanged1 · 31/03/2023 20:20

justsayingthat · 31/03/2023 19:59

What about the convicted peadophile (in Belmarsh, I believe) who circumcised a 6yo boy with a pair of nail clippers? And admitted it, FYI.

For some crimes, I'm not sure any punishment is enough. I'm also not sure I'd find it abhorrent if someone like this was executed. Would probably prefer that he want given the privilege of 24/7 solitary confinement for his safety.

Stick him in a room with the boys father.

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justsayingthat · 31/03/2023 20:25

@usernamechanged1 and a pair of nail clippers...

MrsTerryPratchett · 31/03/2023 20:26

justsayingthat · 31/03/2023 19:59

What about the convicted peadophile (in Belmarsh, I believe) who circumcised a 6yo boy with a pair of nail clippers? And admitted it, FYI.

For some crimes, I'm not sure any punishment is enough. I'm also not sure I'd find it abhorrent if someone like this was executed. Would probably prefer that he want given the privilege of 24/7 solitary confinement for his safety.

Admission is no guarantee. Many people have falsely admitted crimes. Either because of police intimidation, MH or other needs, cognitive issues.

There is no reason I would wish to kill someone outside self- or child-defence.

justsayingthat · 31/03/2023 20:27

@MrsTerryPratchett I presume the boy's penis was also evidence...

MrsTerryPratchett · 31/03/2023 20:28

The Central Park 5 admitted guilt. And were subsequently released when DNA evidence and an admission from a serial rapist cleared them.

Admission isn't a guarantee.

Eatentoomanyroses · 31/03/2023 20:34

There’s definitely some I would support it for.