Two life sentences for teenager for murder/hate crime (states, support, religion)
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When I first read the thread I was thinking of the recent oral arguments before the Supreme Court weighing the constitutionality mandatory life sentences without parole for convicted juveniles, something I adamantly oppose. But like the Justices, I have questions about what the cut off age should be. I don't know how to weigh retribution vs the possibility of rehabilitation.
I am usually against the death penalty, but I honestly think some people can't be rehabilitated.
I'm all for pedophiles and rapists being put to death.
If Murder 1 can be proved beyond a reasonable doubt and/or the victim pleads guilty: death.
I am usually against the death penalty, but I honestly think some people can't be rehabilitated.
I'm all for pedophiles and rapists being put to death.
If Murder 1 can be proved beyond a reasonable doubt and/or the victim pleads guilty: death.
You are absolutely right that some people cannot be rehabilitated. Some people are just plain evil and the potential for rehabilitation is not there. Pedophilia is a sexual orientation that will always be present in that person's preferences. Serial rapists and pedophiles should be removed from society, one way or another.
Because he plead guilty and accepted the life sentence.
This means no expensive trial, no appeals and so on and so forth.
This is the poster child for why states SHOULD have a death penalty on the books....and then not have to use it.
A lot of people ignore the costs of all the trials for guys caught red-handed like this and then of course all their appeals.
If you have the DP and only use it when the guy won't accept life then it's a win all around.
I can't imagine there are many who have a problem with this sentence. I believe, even if you are young, if you do something this horrific, vile, and evil you don't deserve to ever live in society.
I'm not a fan of the "hate crime" notion as its used often for political purposes and really overused and abused. However, I have no sympathy or objection in this case
White Mississippi teen gets life sentence in black man's death - Yahoo! News (http://news.yahoo.com/white-mississippi-teen-gets-life-sentence-black-mans-232536717.html - broken link)
Its unimaginable how people can be this hateful and evil, especially as a teen.
"overused and abused"?
Mississippi passed a law allowing for sentencing enhancement based on the actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, national origin or gender of a victim of a crime in 1994. So far, it's been used twice. 99-19-301. Penalties subject to enhancement.
Once every nine years is overuse and abuse of a law?
It probably has something to do with this letter that the victim's sister wrote to the DA (note to mods, this is a public document, so there's not copyright issue with posting it).
"I’m writing on behalf of my brother’s family - his mother, his two brothers, and myself. We ask that you not seek the death penalty for anyone involved in James’ murder.
Those responsible for James’ death not only ended the life of a talented and wonderful man. They also have caused our family unspeakable pain and grief. But our loss will not be lessened by the state taking the life of another. As Coretta Scott King stated in explaining her opposition to the death penalty, “An evil deed is not redeemed by an evil deed of retaliation. Justice is never advanced in the taking of human life.”
Our opposition to the death penalty is deeply rooted in our religious faith, a faith that was central in James’ life as well. Our Savior Jesus Christ rejected the old way of an eye for an eye and taught us instead to turn the other cheek. He died that we might have everlasting life and, in doing so, asked that the lives of the two common criminals nailed to the crosses beside him be spared. We can do no less.
We also oppose the death penalty because it historically has been used in Mississippi and the South primarily against people of color for killing whites. Executing James’ killers will not help to balance the scales. But sparing them may help to spark a dialogue that one day will lead to the elimination of capital punishment.
We thank you and the United States Department of Justice for your investigations, and we offer our full support and cooperation. Those responsible for James’ death deserve to be punished for their criminal acts and we want them punished to the fullest extent of the law. We hope that the criminal prosecutions will send a strong and clear message to those with hate in their hearts. We simply ask that that message be tempered with the love of our Savior.
We also thank those across the nation who have reached out to our family with their prayers and words of comfort and love. We have established the James C. Anderson Foundation for Racial Tolerance to help build bridges between the races. We appeal to men and women of goodwill to join hands with our family in launching a renewed movement of reconciliation, acceptance and hope.
Those responsible for James’ death not only ended the life of a talented and wonderful man. They also have caused our family unspeakable pain and grief. But our loss will not be lessened by the state taking the life of another. As Coretta Scott King stated in explaining her opposition to the death penalty, “An evil deed is not redeemed by an evil deed of retaliation. Justice is never advanced in the taking of human life.”
Our opposition to the death penalty is deeply rooted in our religious faith, a faith that was central in James’ life as well. Our Savior Jesus Christ rejected the old way of an eye for an eye and taught us instead to turn the other cheek. He died that we might have everlasting life and, in doing so, asked that the lives of the two common criminals nailed to the crosses beside him be spared. We can do no less.
Wow, real Christians really do exist.
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Two life sentences for teenager for murder/hate crime
