To wonder if those in favour of the death penalty would be able to pass the sentence themselves?

[couldyoudoit]

Inspired by recent threads about people wanting the death penalty reintroduced, I was wondering - if there was an option for the family member of a murdered person to execute the person who did it, would you do it?

I am very fundamentally opposed to any kind of death penalty but I’m curious to know if those who do agree with it could do the deed themselves, and if so, where would you draw the line regarding method? I suspect a lot of people in favour would be ok pressing a button to administer lethal injection/pulling a lever to drop a trapdoor but would be less keen to (for example) chop someone’s head off with an axe or set them on fire?

Not really an AIBU but I’m really interested in the responses. Not looking to judge anyone for their stance either way, just curious about the thought processes.

NB* Not a journalist or writing any sort of article!

I think they probably would tbh.
im opposed to the death penalty.

Yes, without losing a second of sleep.

If somebody did anything to my children or my mum absolutely 💯

I'd happily do it, any method (although I lack the strength and coordination to wield an axe these days). I think it should be used a lot more.

I think it would be very hard to take the life of another, however…….if someone had done truly unspeakable things to say my child or elderly mother, I think I may be in such a place of utter despair and anger I’d pull the switch.

It depends - but likely yes. Although I wouldn't choose an ax.

I’m not in favour of it but yes absolutely.

I'm not in favour of capital punishment for several reasons but if someone murdered my family and capital punishment existed could I press the button, pull the lever, wield the axe etc?

I don't know obviously but I suspect I could. I think i would be so distraught and angry that I would be consumed by it and yes, I think I could. I think most people could, whether they think so or not, because grief and rage are overwhelming.

I'm against the death penalty, but I'm sure I would be able to pass that sentence myself in some circumstances. We are all capable of feeling the rage that seeks death. That is (and should be) separate from the question as to whether death is the just outcome.

They’ll say they will, but it’s not reliable- no one knows until they’re in that situation what they’d do.

although to be fair, if you’re a judge the whole point of your role is following the law as it’s set so it’s not like you’d have a choice

100%. Pass sentence and carry it out.

No but I’d have no problem having the job of executioner. I would think of all the future victims I was saving.

I’ll do it 👍🏻

@Backedoffhackedoffyes it is easy to say when it’s all hypothetical but no one really knows how they would feel or act in that situation. I think a lot of people would say one thing but do another if it really came to it, probably myself included!

Absolutely. Seeing the devastation that the murder of a young girl can have on the family and wider community, I could pass sentence and carry it out.

In certain circumstances, involving children, yes I would pass sentence. No sympathies for anyone that harms kids.

I think op means carry out the execution not pass the sentence.

Interesting question. No, I would not be able to either sentence or perform the execution.

I wonder how many of our current Judges would be prepared to sentence and execute.

Yes, I could and I wouldn’t lose a minute’s sleep over it either.

Wouldn't bat an eyelid doing it, even for those who haven't committed crimes against family members. It would save a fortune in prison costs and free up some space. Those involved in the Manchester airport brawl would be the first to go.

@saveforthatyes exactly. Specially I wonder if people who say that they could or would do the executing would be happy with doing something like swinging the axe rather than pushing a button because one is very hands on and potentially difficult/bloody where as the other is easy and allows you do remove yourself from the act. I could probably (in theory) push a button or pull a lever but I don’t think I could burn someone at the stake or boil them.

I don’t 100% support the death penalty, but I do think the world is better when the worst of the worst are dead. Huntley, Hamilton amongst the very worst. One murdered in prison, the other shot himself after killing the children. It’s not justice but at least they are no longer alive.
If it was my family, yes I’d want them dead rather than alive and I could press a button or pull a lever.

The death penalty is fine in principle but the risk of wrongfully executing an innocent person is too high (1 in 8 apparently).

Plus people spend so long on death row that it negates the aim of the death penalty.

I wouldn’t want to be an executioner. You would always wonder which of the people you executed were innocent.

There are certain people currently in prison who I could carry out a death sentence on and sleep better knowing there is no possibility of them having another chance to hurt anyone. I don't feel vengeful and I abhor cruelty so I would chose the quickest method which caused the least suffering. I would derive no pleasure or satisfaction from it but I would experience some comfort from the certainty of knowing they can never hurt anyone else.

The possibility of an innocent person being executed keeps me torn on the death penalty.

Quite separately from the moral question of taking a life, a major problem with the death penalty in the past was that juries were so hesitant to be responsible for someone being sentenced to death - possibly wrongly, which has happened -that many guilty of murder ended up being acquitted.