Could you watch an execution?

[Soubriquet]

Watching a film and there’s an execution and of course there’s people sitting behind the glass watching and it made me think, could I watch it?

I don’t think I could. Even if they murdered someone I loved very much, I’m not sure I could sit there and watch someone else die.

But then others say it can bring a sense of closure to them.

What about you?

No, you wouldn’t.

Definitely wouldn’t watch, I don’t even watch anyone being killed in films (that does limit what I can watch but never mind).

I’d absolutely hate to live in a place where all my colleagues and neighbours went to watch executions.

Does the name of that prison begin with B?

I can honestly say that would not bother me me one iota.
As I said earlier -totally hideous and barbaric in a civilised society - UNTIL it happens to one of my kids or family - then I’d feel quite medieval.

That’s why victims families don’t get a say in what justice is served, of course.

Yes, I fucking would. You think if someone killed my son, I don’t know, in the manner that Ian Huntley killed those two girls that I wouldn’t want to sit and watch that man die? Yes, I would.

You wouldn’t be sitting there with a bag of popcorn. For starters, you wouldn’t be allowed in.

Tbh I think DP is sometimes acceptable.
The only issue is a chance of innocent person being given one. So while I would be in support theoretically, practically it still has risks even with the technology we have. Would need number of rigorous reviews and that would probably cost more than the keep.

But yeah. Probably could watch it if it was for my loved ones deaths.

No you would not go with a bag of fucking popcorn.

Really? Have a read of 'Shepherds and Butchers' or watch the film based on it.

The main character is not a trained hang man but the set up is something used for decades in South Africa.

yes absolutely I could if it was someone who had done vile evil things. Would be glad see them go.

Yes.

Murderers and child molesters deserve this type of ending.

Oh for gods sake! You know exactly what I mean. But ok, I’ll fix it for you ‘yes, if the person who murdered my child was being executed, I would sit quietly like a good little girl with my arms folded while being grateful I had the opportunity to see the person expire’. Better?

if you spend your working day talking to prisoners and then cutting them down when they attempt self harm….. why would prison staff then be expected to stand by and watch or facilitate as a prisoner is executed….i would find another job before that happened ( it won’t)

Yeah I could. I am vehemently opposed to the death penalty but it wouldn’t particularly bother me to watch it happen.

Im a bit weird in that regard though maybe.

You knew exactly what this poster meant, it is a very common turn of phrase and just means she would be happy to settle in and watch.
Why so many people feel they can say 'no you wouldn't watch' like they are the single authority on the subject is beyond me. Maybe I will start quoting everyone who says they couldn't watch and say 'yes you would watch if it was your loved one they killed' but that would make me as much of a dick as those trying to tell people they wouldn't watch so I won't do that.
For the record, if you killed one of my family I absolutely would happily sit and watch you be executed.

My dad spent the 80s in KSA and said it was common knowledge that Saudis in the crowd would push a westerner to the front if they saw one. The advice was to stay well away from Deera Square on a Friday, or better still, just stay on the compound.

The person that killed my ancestor was the first private hanging in the UK.

No a C , but I expect any gaol ( use of old name ) was the same.

I would buy a season ticket!

Annoys me too that people think they are more aware of your choices and the limits of what you can handle than you are.

Just because a poster couldn’t handle watching someone die in this way, doesn’t mean another one can’t. All this “it’s just bravado”, “you’ll get PTSD” rubbish. I can absolutely, wholeheartedly say that if some monster killed my boy, I’d go to any execution they arranged and would hope to see the person beg for their life, cry, piss themselves with fear while calling out for their own Mum to help them. If they let me flick the switch or put the needle in, I’d do that too. In a fucking heartbeat with not one ounce of thought for their family or anyone else.

That’s not everyone’s approach, and that’s fine, but it would be mine.

I was about to say the same thing.

This lie is a bit of a bravado thing - Western men pretending to have watched a beheading in Saudi!

No
in the early 2000's there were many awful videos sent round of executions I never watched them and I am against the death penalty

But if I lived in a time when executions where huge social events I am quite certain that I would have attended as many of us would have. Its very interesting to read about and how many common terms we use still today that have come from these times. The hangings at Tyburn (now Marble Arch) were huge at times huge events with food vendors and traders selling items, souvenirs sellers, pamphlets of the occasion, singers and performers

The last public execution using the guillotine in France was in 1939 and the last time it was used was 1977 😮

I’d always thought no never, and was totally against the death penalty until I had children.

I’d gladly watch someone suffer if my children were the victim.

Yep. I lived there for 7 years, never once was I in a position to see one. They happen nowhere near any offices or apartments, and they happen on a Friday, when no offices are open. If anyone saw one, they were there deliberately. Not by chance.

If a westerner was anywhere near Deera Square on a Friday, it's because they wanted to be there. All this bollocks about being pushed to see them 😅.