Death penalty.

[CurlewKate]

Why don't they use an anaesthetic? Then do whatever barbaric thing they're going to.

I was Virginia's executioner from 1982 to 1999. Any questions for me? | Jerry Givens | The Guardian

What caused you to change your opinion on the death penalty?It's not something that I enjoyed. I never enjoyed none of it. When I accepted the job, there was nobody on death row in Virginia. A person had to be foolish to commit that kind of crime knowing they could be put to death. It's like volunteer suicide. I never thought that 100-some people would end up on death row. I had no idea that I would actually execute 62 people. I didn't know that when I signed up.
Even when I was on the job, I was always asking, what can I do to prevent these guys before they get there? I used to bring kids down from schools. I would allow the kids to sit in the chair and explain that I want to see kids get an education and remove themselves from violence or you'll end up here. I know it helped. I used to get letters. They would write back saying thank you for steering them in the right direction. I also never understood why we would spend money on the death penalty instead of spending money to try to prevent these people from getting in the system in the first place.
When I found out they had some innocent people on death row that came almost hours before I had to take their life, then I knew we had to change. That would be on me for the rest of my life.
I honestly believe God stepped in and said enough is enough. I was subpoenaed to appear before a grand jury. I remember the day because I was supposed to have an execution soon, March 16, 1999. They were after a friend of mine. To make a long story short, the grand jury said I was involved in money laundering and perjury for buying cars for my friend who obtained the money illegally. I told them I thought he had straightened out. But I did 57 months in a federal institution. I knew then that the system wasn't right. I don't believe I had a fair trial, so I realized maybe some of the people I executed weren't given a fair trial.

As a matter of principle, yes: just because something is a belief doesn’t mean it’s inherently “ok”.

But the examples you give are not even remotely comparable.

If every time an animal was put down it suffered the way people being executed do, there would be an outcry. Rightly so.

Actually can't believe all the people sympathetic to murderers here. They should feel every tiny bit of pain.

Having your freedom taken away, having your life being controlled, no dignity allowed, no decisions on your own boundaries, being scared as many are in prison is a painful experience

someone physically suffering at the end of their life for just that small amount in time it’s to appease the people that want to see them physically suffer. I understand the victims loved ones maybe wanting this but others what for it makes no difference to their lives

society doesn’t gain from this it doesn’t make societies less violent

None of the bloodthirsty types on here have mentioned the obvious fact that innocent people would be wrongly convicted and executed.

I don't have sympathy with murderers.

This is what those in favour of the death penalty seem to struggle with. I don't think murderers are great people. I simply don't think the government should be allowed to kill people.

It's really simple...isn't it.

@echt I saw that comment before it was deleted. You have issues. Don't communicate with me any further, in any way. Thank you.

Don’t be so ridiculous! Bloodthirsty🤣Nobody is suggesting they’re happy with innocent people being executed.

The ones beyond doubt, yes I very much welcome execution.

Exactly this👏

Disturbia81
Actually can't believe all the people sympathetic to murderers here. They should feel every tiny bit of pain.

What a ridiculous and unintelligent conclusion.

@StarDolphins

If you're happy with capital punishment, you're more than happy with innocent people being executed. It happens everywhere the death penalty operates, always has and always will. Or do you think jurors frivolously sent wrongly convicted people to the gallows/gas chamber/chair?

its perfectly acceptable for me to be ok with it for BEYOND DOUBT cases (which most are) but not for innocent people to be executed.

StarDolphins · Today 12:23

The ones beyond doubt, yes I very much welcome execution.

I think it was the Birmingham 6, where the judge said that they were guilty, without a shadow of a doubt. It turned out that the Police lied, fabricated statements, tampered with evidence, used sleep deprivation etc and they eventually left prison completely exonerated.

That's my main problem with the death penalty.

Including to your own child if need be? I mean if you're willing to pull the plug on another human why not your own child. Your own flesh and blood. Or sit in the crowd and watch another individual push that button.

If my own child was a man that raped & tortured a woman/man or child, yes.

But that won’t ever happen.

You are one disturbed individual.

Never say never.

Exactly...all these people saying as long it's definitely beyond doubt...they must have a lot of faith in the police and courts. More fool them.

@StarDolphins

All cases are 'beyond doubt'. That's literally the benchmark for conviction. Miscarriages of justice still happen, disturbingly often. And once an innocent person has been executed, the likelihood of the real culprit being found diminishes and, knowing this, jurors become reluctant to convict so even your own vengeful form of justice isn't served.

The percentage point of US death row executions where the person was innocent is low (3-4% I would guess) of course it absolutely shouldn’t be happening & it’s horrific c for those families.

My opinion still stands. If someone raped my DD, I would want them sentenced to death.

Studies estimate that about 6% of people who are incarcerated are innocent. Calling for the State to murder innocent people is not justice, and if you impose the death sentence for crimes like rape or child abuse, you increase the risk that rapists and child abusers will murder their victims to lower the risk of conviction.

3/4% is huge. Just one person is enough for me to say it shouldn't happen.

Obviously for most people, if someone harmed their child, they'd want to hurt/kill them. But a lot of us are able to put aside that innate need for revenge and see the bigger picture in terms of living in a civilised society

@StarDolphins

"The percentage point of US death row executions where the person was innocent is low (3-4%)"

Even if this figure was accurate, (it isn't, it's too low,) this translates as:

'I'm happy for dozens of innocent people to be killed by the state, presumably including those close to me, it's for the greater good.'

This is one of those subjects that I really can't make my mind up on.

As a person, I'm against killing other people and the thought of state sanctioned killing doesn't sit right with me.

But then I hear of specific cases, usually involving child abuse and death, and I can't help but think the fuckers responsible should be annihilated and I'd quite happily flip a switch or strangle them myself.

The justice system is too open to error, and the number of people exonerated post-mortem is too high for me to agree this is the way.

I just really don't fecking know.