Re: Manner of execution
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 10:03 pm
Let the record show that not a single person who was executed has ever committed another crime.
Let the record show that not a single person who was executed has ever committed another crime.
That last part is absolutely wrong. The death penalty has a strong deterrent effect, much more do than life imprisonment. In the 30s-50s when there was a law that would mandate a prison sentence for armed robbery but death for a murder committed during an armed robbery, it was common for the police to catch criminals in the act of armed robbery using a gun with no bullets. Why would they try to commit armed robbery with a gun with no bullets? The most likely explanation is that they were worried about getting the death penalty if the gun fired accidentally so to make sure that was impossible they removed the bullets. After all, if you're going to threaten someone with a gun, an unloaded gun is just as effective as a loaded one.Vern Humphrey wrote: ↑Sun Mar 31, 2024 4:05 pm I can defend capital punishment in theory (why should a man already serving a life sentence not kill again? What more can you do to him?)
I cannot defend it in practice. It's too capricious, takes too long, and has little effect on others who may commit crimes.)
So what happened? How come the homicide today is higher today?Doom wrote: ↑Mon Apr 01, 2024 6:21 pmThat last part is absolutely wrong. The death penalty has a strong deterrent effect, much more do than life imprisonment. In the 30s-50s when there was a law that would mandate a prison sentence for armed robbery but death for a murder committed during an armed robbery, it was common for the police to catch criminals in the act of armed robbery using a gun with no bullets. Why would they try to commit armed robbery with a gun with no bullets? The most likely explanation is that they were worried about getting the death penalty if the gun fired accidentally so to make sure that was impossible they removed the bullets. After all, if you're going to threaten someone with a gun, an unloaded gun is just as effective as a loaded one.Vern Humphrey wrote: ↑Sun Mar 31, 2024 4:05 pm I can defend capital punishment in theory (why should a man already serving a life sentence not kill again? What more can you do to him?)
I cannot defend it in practice. It's too capricious, takes too long, and has little effect on others who may commit crimes.)