Posted on Sep 30, 2015
Capital Punishment; are they really sorry for the crime committed or just sorry they were caught and convicted?
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I'm using her case as an example, but on the whole, do you feel that these death row inmates are honestly sorry for the crimes and pain they did/inflicted, or are they really just sorry they got caught. I'm not mentioning my views on capitol punishment (but acknowledge it doesn't serve any real deterrent), and will not judge anyone else on theirs. I'm just asking for opinions and thoughts
United States
Justice
Death Penalty
Posted 9 y ago
This is a duplicate discussion. Click below to see more on this topic.
I'm using her case as an example, but on the whole, do you feel that these death row inmates are honestly sorry for the crimes and pain they did/inflicted, or are they really just sorry they got caught. I'm not mentioning my views on capitol punishment (but acknowledge it doesn't serve any real deterrent), and will not judge anyone else on theirs. I'm just asking for opinions and thoughts
Responses: 6
It is of my opinion that someone who commits a crime then apologizes later for it aren't really sorry for doing the crime but for the fact that they got caught..........and maybe sometimes for the pain they caused..........Because if they were truly sorry, they never would have committed the crime in the first place.........or at the very least confessed the minute they were confronted about it.
The death penalty should be reserved for the monsters in our society; people who do things so evil that there can be no earthly justification for them to live. Serial killers, thrill killers, terrorists, and child killers. Any kind of killing spree should fit as well where there is a trail of victims, let the rest rot in prison. I am sorry does not cut it for people like that even if the really are remorseful.
SSG Warren Swan
Staff I can agree with you, but what if there are mitigating circumstances surrounding the murder? And with a death sentence, those sentenced often outlive the families of those they murdered. How would you fix this? The appeal process cannot be done away with and with new tech and independent reviews, it's been proven that more than a few cases were done wrong, the person convicted wasn't there, or you just have a straight up innocent man rotting away. Not a bleeding heart by any means, just trying to spark conversation.
God forgives, but we still are accountable for our actions. Convicts can become very apologetic as they linger in their cells with all the time in the world to dwell on their previous acts. Only God can know what is truly in their hearts when they claim they are apologetic. This lady was just evil and she has finally paid for her crime.
SSG Warren Swan
Thanks SFC, but if you could streamline the process, what would you do? She sat on death row almost 20yrs. Three appeals to the Supreme Court. Her kids were really KIDS when she did what she did. How would you fix it for the future when it's widely known to be an ineffective sentence? I'm not judging you or your methods, but like I've said with others, what could be done to make it more fair to everyone involved?
SSG Warren Swan - Warren, I believe that's a "by individual" case. I have no doubt there have been some convicted felons (murderers, etc..) who probably felt remorse and regretted that life changing decision. However, there are some who are most likely just sad they were caught and even if they claim they have remorse - their sincerity has to be questioned.
Oddly enough, on the political side of things - Libertarians are torn on this issue, as the official party platform is against capital punishment. I would say though, it's a 50/50 split amongst members who identify more with the Libertarian platform. One of the biggest arguments the party makes is fiscal responsibility - and they tout that it's cheaper to keep a person a live vs to put them to death (they factor in the cost of appeals and such). It's an interesting debate - but I follow the belief in that if you commit a heinous crime, you're most likely not worth breathing the same air that I do. I do believe in reform to a degree...but in some crimes, there's no way a person can recover from that mental decision.
Oddly enough, on the political side of things - Libertarians are torn on this issue, as the official party platform is against capital punishment. I would say though, it's a 50/50 split amongst members who identify more with the Libertarian platform. One of the biggest arguments the party makes is fiscal responsibility - and they tout that it's cheaper to keep a person a live vs to put them to death (they factor in the cost of appeals and such). It's an interesting debate - but I follow the belief in that if you commit a heinous crime, you're most likely not worth breathing the same air that I do. I do believe in reform to a degree...but in some crimes, there's no way a person can recover from that mental decision.
SSG Warren Swan
LTC (Join to see) - Sir on the last paragraph, I'd respectively disagree. Now if you went in LTC West style kicking and screaming, yeah I see you winding up just like him...bitter old very effective leader working on Fox News. I think both of you could do damage over time if you believe in your cause and don't stray or allow mission creep influence you too much. Also learning how it actually works vs. how we perceive it working would help. I think that was another of West's issues when he got in.
Certain crimes cannot be reformed. It's been long proven that sexual predators are prone to commit more sexual crimes upon release. Murder is one that could be left on the fence. So many mitigating factors that you cannot lump them all into one group. But where do we draw the line? You let the states handle it, you wind up with 50 different ways of doing either the same thing or nothing at all. You have the DOJ make a standard in regards to certain laws and capitol punishment, then you have a country wide standard and the states complain their being trampled on.
IMO (I'm NO expert), but I'd think the federal based guidelines would be best. It would limit the lobbyist influence (until congress gets involved), and makes a standard while challenged by the states would be more of an "even" slate to work off of. This could very well apply to the for profit prison system, and the appeals process for death row inmates.
Certain crimes cannot be reformed. It's been long proven that sexual predators are prone to commit more sexual crimes upon release. Murder is one that could be left on the fence. So many mitigating factors that you cannot lump them all into one group. But where do we draw the line? You let the states handle it, you wind up with 50 different ways of doing either the same thing or nothing at all. You have the DOJ make a standard in regards to certain laws and capitol punishment, then you have a country wide standard and the states complain their being trampled on.
IMO (I'm NO expert), but I'd think the federal based guidelines would be best. It would limit the lobbyist influence (until congress gets involved), and makes a standard while challenged by the states would be more of an "even" slate to work off of. This could very well apply to the for profit prison system, and the appeals process for death row inmates.
LTC (Join to see)
SSG Warren Swan I concur on all. No matter how much of a "small government" guy I am - there always has to be some federal oversight in certain areas...this particular area is one. Like you said, DOJ would need to make a minimum standard (states could expound upon if they want) of reforms and such, before a prisoner met conditions for release. I also agree with your statement about certain individuals who commit certain crimes can not be helped/reformed/saved - there's a point of no return, and those crimes are a good example of that.
Politics is an interest to me - but I'm stubborn by nature and I wouldn't have time for the bs that DC tends to sling at politicians on a daily basis. If I ever got into politics, it would have to be at the city level.
Politics is an interest to me - but I'm stubborn by nature and I wouldn't have time for the bs that DC tends to sling at politicians on a daily basis. If I ever got into politics, it would have to be at the city level.
SSG Warren Swan
LTC (Join to see) - Don't sell yourself short Sir. You're only a 4856 away. I'm sure LTC West thought some of the same things you did, but said f*ck it, what's the worst that can happen? He got elected. Besides if you got in, you could bring in some muscle with retired E8/E9's to handle your heavy lifting. They'd excel at the chance to fix VA.
SA Harold Hansmann
The libertarians are against capital punishment because they have never been on the receiving end of said various crimes.
Let someone murder one of their family members and see how fast they change sides.
IMHO: let the punishment fit the crime.
Let someone murder one of their family members and see how fast they change sides.
IMHO: let the punishment fit the crime.
I don't think its particularly relevant if they are or not. The purpose of the Justice system is just that, to see to it that Justice is done. Not justice for the accused or the victim but Justice. When viewed in this light, the question regarding the death penalty is whether or not death is a just sentence. In the case of something like this, I think it is.
SSG Warren Swan
Sir, I see what you mean, but couldn't justice be justice to see that its done correctly in nature/deed, and to give a form of reprieve to the wronged? Again not judging, just sparking friendly debate
1LT Aaron Barr
You're right; I'm not saying we should just be summarily executing people without trial or anything like that. However, our laws include some of the most elaborate protections for those accused of crimes of anywhere in the world. I'm not opposed to some level of clemency on principle but I don't see any real mitigating circumstances in this case, from what I've read at least, nor do I think being sorry is adequate.
That's true of most criminals, SSG Warren Swan. Rarely, did I arrest someone for a felony and take him or her through the justice system, up to the point of sentencing, that they did not whine about how sorry they were for killing, robbing, raping, assaulting, or whatever they did to someone else that landed them in the predicament in which they found themselves. Criminals are all about being badass until they are facing twenty years to life or the death penalty. Then it's "I want my Mommy."
SSG Warren Swan
Senior...everyone wants to do "gangsta" stuff until it's time to do a "gangstas" time. Thanks for commenting.
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My sentiment exactly!