Death penalty serves justice
by Don Hicks, reporter

    An eye for an eye and a slap for murder.

    When the death penalty is a possible punishment in a criminal case, the accused should receive competent legal defense, the best DNA testing available on any evidence and, upon conviction, a short waiting time to meet his or her maker.

    A death penalty case might have inexperienced, new or incompetent lawyers assigned to either or both sides of the case. Such poor representation might account for many of the so-called miscarriages of justice claimed by death penalty opponents. Unfortunately, many inexperienced attorneys learn on criminal cases. This arrangement should be changed.

    Intentional death, admitted murder, confirmed sexual assault of a child by an adult or rape are some of the crimes worthy of the death penalty. Like murder, confirmed sexual assault cannot be undone; the victim will be affected forever.

    Hate crimes are no different from the same crime without the hate. When people have so little respect for another that they kill him or her intentionally, it makes no difference that the victim is socially different from the perpetrator; the murder is intentional.

    The innocence or guilt and sentence of a convicted person should be left to the judge and jury.

    When a court sentences someone to death, is that cruel and unusual punishment?

    No. The cruelty is making the criminal wait and wait and wait. The cruelty is making the victim(s) and/or family members go through the process of appeal after appeal.

    The punishment is only unusual if it does not compare with what the victim suffered. Society should not slap a murderer, put him in the corner for a few years and say, “Don’t do that again.”

    Many have said that death would be too good for criminals, and they should suffer by thinking about what they have done.     Unfortunately, many of them only think of ways of breaking out of prison or committing other crimes while in prison.

    The silent majority shouts by its numbers.

    Recently, many people took the time to place an American flag on their cars to support their concerns. If more people were concerned that society was doing a terrible injustice with the death of a convicted murderer, wouldn’t there be more stickers on cars stating such opinions? This might be a united silent statement.

    As society evolves, one thing remains: the desire for a higher social structure. Since recorded time, people have revolted against social chaos. Why?

    Human nature drives the majority to desire a secure home, family safety and the opportunity of pursuing the best.

    One does not go to the hospital nursery window and point out different newborn babies and profess to know their future, except the family and friends boasting great aspirations for the newest member of society.

    Somewhere between infancy and young adulthood, many of society’s members turn anti-social. Maybe it’s in their genes or the fact that they don’t have the jeans they want. After the path has been taken, it may be very difficult and, for some, impossible to correct.

    Society has long-standing statutes allowing self-defense and excusing a person for killing in self-defense. To carry out the death sentence is no different except it is a slower process.

    What about those who claim they didn’t know their crime was bad, claim insanity or have someone claim it for them?

    What made them commit the crime in the first place? Twinkies? How does society know they won’t be “made” to do it again?

    The death penalty may or may not be a deterrent; that theory can be argued forever, but the dead commit no future crimes.

    Send them on to a better place.