Do you support capital punishment in the military and civilian courts?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 20:17:50 -0400

Do you support capital punishment in the military and civilian courts? Does being in the military mean higher standards and only should be in military courts? Does being in the military mean you should be mitigated down to life sentences and only have capital punishment in the civilian courts? Or no capital punishment overall?

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2014 8:44 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 20:44:39 -0400

Sometimes, like the Walker case, we keep them alive because they make a deal to keep their family members from getting the gas chamber/death penalty. But sometimes it's way past time to get rid of them - we spend too much money keeping them alive in prison.

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Oct 4 at 2014 10:07 PM

SSG Pete Fleming — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 22:07:06 -0400

100% support of the death penalty. After the conviction and after legitimate appeals... get it over with. I believe everyone, regardless of who, deserves a fair chance. But once found guilty, and even if they appeal and are still found guilty, within two weeks. None of this death row for 20 years or any of that.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2014 10:31 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 22:31:39 -0400

I am 100% behind capital punishment, like SSG Pete Fleming said, after you are convicted and appeal, just do it. There is no reason to keep someone for 10+ years on death row. I also think that we can change the way that it is carried out, but that is another topic for another day. Why is it that someone who kills someone else, is allowed to live long after the person whose life they took?

Response by Cpl Michael Strickler made Oct 4 at 2014 10:38 PM

Cpl Michael Strickler — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 22:38:18 -0400

Personally I feel that just about all punishments should be a boat load more strict. Dealers and what not will say, "Hey, you confess. It is only five years for your first offense. You will get street cred and it saves me and the other guys from 30 year sentences..."

IMO, punishments should not fit the crime. That is not a deterrent. "50 years working at the garbage dump sorting out recyclables that others threw away... just for jay walking?!" Yeah, that is a deterrent. I would walk ten blocks to a cross walk to avoid that.

Towards capital punishment itself, I'm not sure. I like the idea of tagging them with collar explosives and sending them making them do some menial work that needs done, but no one wants to do. Keeping them in some long list of people we plan to kill but cant yet is a pointless waste of money that could be used to improve schools or something. take them out back and finish it right after sentencing... with a rock too, save the ammo for the zombie apocalypse you all keep scaring me about!

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Oct 4 at 2014 10:42 PM

SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 22:42:40 -0400

CPT Brian Maurelli,

If convicted and upheld on appeal, it is time. No more waiting. The UCMJ as a system providers a greater degree of protection than civilian systems. Consequently, it can be more difficult to get a case to Courts Martial and then to obtain a conviction. Civilian court is no cakewalk either.

Conviction in either requires the burden of proof to be beyond a reasonable doubt. That is good enough for me.

Thank you,

SFC Joseph M. Finck USA (Ret)

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2014 12:00 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 00:00:56 -0400

If the crime fits the parameters of Capital Punishment then it should apply to both military and civilian courts.

Response by SPC David S. made Oct 5 at 2014 1:45 AM

SPC David S. — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 01:45:34 -0400

But we should also add corporal punishment. Getting flogged 30 lashes for running a stop light and I'll never run one again.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Oct 5 at 2014 4:52 AM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 04:52:35 -0400

I am all for capital punishment however, this may seem odd, but for the really bad crimes I'm against it. Things like aggrivated rape and murder, burning a victim to death, etc should get life as death is to quick and easy. It may sound saddistic, but I think in somecases the felon needs to enjoy his punishment for a long time.

Also, to add to this, the stupid technicalities, loopholes, and lawyers tricks need to be ended. Things like OJ's team of lawyers with a million computers on hand is wrong. If a murderer is on trial and hes attempted it or convicted of it before, it IS admissable. The Jury needs to hear hes a waste of flesh. The also need the common sence aspect. "Yes, technically you didn't violate any laws but what you did is very clearly wrong. Guilty"

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Oct 5 at 2014 5:02 AM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 05:02:22 -0400

I think that if the case would get it in the civilian side then it should be in the military. Why should someone that commits capital murder in the army be any different than the person who commits capitial murder on the civilian side.

Response by SSgt Thomas A Tullis Jr made Oct 5 at 2014 8:49 AM

SSgt Thomas A Tullis Jr — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 08:49:52 -0400

Military courts should mirror civilian courts, considering a court marshal is a FELON conviction. Also, Officers should face the same punishments as enlisted instead of being demoted and allowed to retire.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2014 10:34 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 10:34:13 -0400

Capital Punishment if it fits the crime. Too many times I see people assume the worse before the facts. I also think that there are too many politically correcting ideals that remove this and wasting money. I could go on.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2014 9:20 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 21:20:10 -0400

I believe if a person take a life they should be put in jail until the love ones of the person whose life was taken have there say in what the punishment should be.our courts will keep someone in jail while we the tax payers pay for what they have done.When the family decides what should be done if its death make it swift.if a life was taken their rights were also.the offender should lose his or her rights to a fair trial they didn't give a fair trial to the person they killed why should they have one.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2014 9:46 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 21:46:17 -0400

I support for all crime that warrants it.

Response by SFC Melker Johansson made Oct 9 at 2014 8:56 AM

SFC Melker Johansson — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 08:56:25 -0400

I'm opposed to capital punishment on moral, practical, and constitutional grounds.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2014 7:48 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 07:48:47 -0500

I voted no one should have capital punishment. Not because I have any moral issues with executing murderers, but because there is no appreciable deterrent effect on the crime rate, and it actually costs more to put someone on death row than to put them in prison for life.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2014 9:10 AM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 09:10:25 -0500

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Hyph_DZa_GQ
This is my vote.

Response by CPO William E. Mahoney made Nov 20 at 2014 12:16 PM

CPO William E. Mahoney — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 12:16:02 -0500

We treat our prisoners in some states better then our military, they get 3 square meals, free medical, free cable TV, gyms and in some locations free education.
It is crazy that we treat these criminals so well, if there is no question in their guilt and the crime fits capital punishment then it should be carried out.

Response by SGT Robert Hawks made Nov 20 at 2014 12:18 PM

SGT Robert Hawks — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 12:18:49 -0500

Yes if the crime justifies the death penalty then it should be enforced.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Nov 20 at 2014 12:21 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 12:21:07 -0500

Personally I am against Capital Punishment. It has never proven any real deterrent just a piss poor form of Revenge. If we are going to discuss it between the Military and Civilian difference, I once again commend the Military Justice Systems which actually makes Capital Punishment Less Likely with it's Fairness Doctrine.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2014 12:48 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 12:48:12 -0500

I think it should be used more often, and they should move the process along faster than they do currently

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Nov 21 at 2014 9:38 AM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 09:38:00 -0500

My only problem with the death penalty is that is isn't used often enough nor quick enough!

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Nov 21 at 2014 3:39 PM

COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 15:39:01 -0500

I support capital punishment in both military and civilian courts but with a few assumptions and caveats.
- Reasons for penalties in military courts include: punishment, deterrence, rehabilitation, and good order/discipline.
- Reasons for penalties in civilian courts include: punishment, deterrence, and rehabilitation.
- Capital punishment obviously precludes rehabilitation so therefore left with punishment and deterrence (plus good order/discipline in a military court).
- In order to achieve the effects of punishment and deterrence, capital punishment should be:
o Speedy. Execution 20 years later is not useful. Execution should be within 4 years of conviction maximum. This means expedited processing and limited (rather than endless) appeals.
o Consistent. Administration of the punishment should not vary within a jurisdiction. Each conviction/sentence should meet standard criteria of application.
o Limited. Capital punishment should be reserved for the worst crimes only.
o Due Process. Conviction should be to the highest standard. This means that the very best defense attornies should be resourced and allocated. This can not and should not be left to the fiscal resources of the defendant.
At endstate, the execution of a person later determined to be innocent would do more to undermine the application of the death penalty than 10 guilty people sentenced to life imprisonment.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Nov 23 at 2014 3:59 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 15:59:41 -0500

I used to believe a lot more strongly about having it than I do now. The quickest sentence carried out in recent history was Timothy McVeigh - only 4 years. If they were all carried out this quickly, actually saving some taxpayer money, instead of decades in some cases while appeals keep happening, then it would mean more. IMHO a death sentence should only be handed down if there is an abundance of hard evidence and/or the individual confesses.

Lately though I've been of the opinion that death is an easy out for these people. I like the "Escape From New York" type of punishment - banished from the real world and into some unholy living hell. If that doesn't work and we can discover the Phantom Zone, I'm good with that too.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2014 6:36 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 18:36:21 -0500

If someone is caught red-handed, there should be no appeal and the execution should be carried out immediately after sentencing. The more public the better.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Dec 11 at 2014 11:04 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 11:04:59 -0500

Yes

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Dec 11 at 2014 11:59 AM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 11:59:43 -0500

I've said it before and I will say it again. If they can prove without a doubt that someone committed a murder or another severe violent crime the punishment should be carried out, and not even waiting years to do it.

"You have been found guilty of murder in the first degree and are hereby sentenced to death. Bailiff, my pistol."

Response by CSM David Heidke made Dec 11 at 2014 12:06 PM

CSM David Heidke — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 12:06:11 -0500

“It will take six months or more for the colonial secretary to deal with the matter and months more before we learn of his decision. But you will not be interested in what he decides, for you are to be hanged Monday morning.” - Sir Matthew Baillie Begbie (9 May 1819 – 11 June 1894)

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2014 12:08 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 12:08:23 -0500

But not as we currently do it.

In my view, the state should not have greater latitude with life than the people from whom their authority comes. A US citizen is justified in taking another life in only a few circumstances, the most common being self-defense, or the defense of the life of a third person.

If it were up to me, in the penalty phase of a capital case, the prosecution would have to show a compelling case that the lives or liberty of others are still in jeopardy despite the defendant being incarcerated. This is not a far fetched notion, especially if the defendant is a terrorist or organized crime figure.

If such a case cannot be made, if imprisonment is sufficient to prevent the defendant from being such a threat to others, then the death penalty is not justifiable.

Response by SFC Mark Bailey made Jan 9 at 2015 12:01 PM

SFC Mark Bailey — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 12:01:24 -0500

Absolutely
Take the time to make sure it is not a mistake....
but put a 3-year time limit on that as well
(no need to wait 25 years to execute them in other words)

The $$$ wasted on someone that will not ever be rehabilitated, or deserves no "Second Chance"
...imagine what we could do with all that Federal and State money...

Nobody does something this bad without realizing what the consequences are going to be

"When you go to kill someone, you dig TWO Graves...."

Response by SSG Everett Wilson made Jan 13 at 2015 2:59 PM

SSG Everett Wilson — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 14:59:02 -0500

In my last unit in Germany, a soldier killed a local, it was a bit of overkill, they stopped counting stab wounds at 117 to her face. He went home throw his bloody clothes to his wife and told her if she said anything the same would happen to her. The police got a tip that the person they were looking for was at our base and came from Florida. The soldier's partner in crime was the second person to be called in to be interviewed. When asked if he had any idea why they were there, he said "yeah, the b*** had to die." Then and there he gave a confession about his role and the soldier who actually killed her. This is just an example that I know of where capital punishment comes into play. We have these people who confess to murders and we allow them to be taken care of for the rest of their lives, to be cared for and their victims had no choose. We have people like Ridgeway, murdered 27 plus, and Yates, murdered 10 plus, here in Washington, we keep them alive only in hopes they may tell us about other victims. Ted Bundy only started to confess as his time to meet his maker to crimes. Recently we had a WW2 vet, 80 years old killed by two punks, because they saw an easy victim sitting in his car. One confessed and may serve 20 years, less if he's a model prisoner. The other just had his case set back. Sorry if you kill someone in cold blood, the death penalty should not be taken off the table.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2015 3:13 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 15:13:01 -0500

I support capital punishment for military and civilians. I feel that there is no deterrent in just going to jail. All an offender has to do is plead insanity, and they get off scot-free. Also if someone gets sentenced to consecutive life sentences, without parole. That may be the dumbest thing I've heard of. If they are so bad that there is no possibility of them ever getting out of prison, why use our tax dollars to keep them alive, give them education and everything else they need?

Response by SFC Michael Jackson, MBA made Jan 16 at 2015 6:42 PM

SFC Michael Jackson, MBA — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 18:42:16 -0500

I support capital punishment in both military and civilian courts. Some crimes people commit against others are so outrageous capital isn't enough. It's just most we do to them.
I don't considered life w/o parole a viable alternative for capital crimes, even if so cases it is, less expensive. It's rewarding them with meals and place to sleep for the rest of lives, while the people they killed, tortured, raped, etc. don't to live theirs at all because of them.

Response by 1SG David Niles made Jan 17 at 2015 12:52 PM

1SG David Niles — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 12:52:46 -0500

First, I support Capital Punishment, and here is my idea of curbing the cost of capital punishment.

The convicted person who has been sentenced to die, gets one appeal, that appeal must be done within five years, the courts will fast pass their docket to ensure it happens. They will look at all the evidence and decide if the death penalty stands, if is does then that person is put to death. The appeal with be with one of the US circuit appellate courts, only if the Circuit appellate court deems necessary will it go to the Supreme Court. If the Death Penalty is upheld, the person will be put to death within thirty days. To further save money, the rope with be the standard, fairly affordable and reusable.

Response by SPC Christopher Morehouse made Jan 17 at 2015 1:02 PM

SPC Christopher Morehouse — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 13:02:29 -0500

Yes. Desertion in the face of the enemy comes to mind. Multiple rape, serial murder, there are several crimes in and out of the military that I feel are deserving of the harshest punishment.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Apr 4 at 2015 3:49 AM

COL Ted Mc — Sat, 04 Apr 2015 03:49:17 -0400

LTC Private RallyPoint Member Captain; Here is the reason why capital punishment must be retained and implemented immediately after trial.

From "Reuters"

Alabama man walks free after almost 30 years on death row

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/03/us-usa-alabama-death-row-idUSKBN0MU13Z20150403

(Reuters) - Anthony Ray Hinton walked out of an Alabama jail a free man on Friday after almost 30 years on death row for a crime he did not commit.

Greeted by well-wishers with cries of "Praise God" and a crowd of photographers and reporters, Hinton dabbed away tears and said: "For all of you out there snapping pictures of me, I want you to know there is a Lord.

"For all who say they believe in justice, this is the case that proves it is true," the 58-year-old Hinton said.

Hinton was convicted of the 1985 slayings of two fast-food managers, but new testing did not match crime scene bullets to the gun found at his home.

EDITORIAL COMMENT:- If this person had been executed promptly then the administration of justice would not have been brought into disrepute by having to release him and the state would have saved the millions of dollars that keeping him in custody has already cost PLUS the millions of dollars that the state is going to have to pay out as a result of his "wrongful conviction".

[PS - I guess that it's too late to say "SARCASM ALERT".]

CPT Liaison Officer (LNO) at XVIII ABN Corps HQ, XVIII ABN Corps | 12A: Engineer Officer |...

View the full military profile of CPT (Join to see), Liaison Officer (LNO) at XVIII ABN Corps HQ, XVIII ABN Corps | Fort Bragg, NC | RallyPoint professional military profile.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Apr 14 at 2015 9:18 PM

SFC Stephen King — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 21:18:07 -0400

I support Capital Punishment to its fullest. The problem is it takes to long.

An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

Response by SGT Tyler G. made Apr 14 at 2015 9:54 PM

SGT Tyler G. — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 21:54:22 -0400

Never. The fact is, innocent people are wrongly convicted, and too many people have been exonerated after being already having been executed. As long as there is even a remote chance of an innocent being wrongly convicted, capital punishment is completely unacceptable. A million guilty aren't worth the life of even a single innocent.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2015 10:00 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 22:00:44 -0400

Line them up, and take them out....

Response by SSG Clayton Blackwell made Apr 14 at 2015 10:10 PM

SSG Clayton Blackwell — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 22:10:06 -0400

Yes both courts should have the same authority.

I think the biggest problem with the death penaly, which I wholeheartedly support, is the implementation. There is little deterant to it because it takes so long to fulfil. Most of the time it is well over 10 years, often closer to 20 before it's carried out. I am all for making sure, but that is ridiculous. That's why it is often said to cost more. There are so many appeals and they are taken one issue at a time. Once one issue goes through all the appeals process, the next is started. I say ALL apeals should be presented within 60 days of the original guilty finding. Take all issues at once to the appallate court. If you lose there, ALL issues, and no new one's go to the state supreme court within 30 days to see if they will hear it. If not the sentence is carried out, if so after they have heard and ruled on the final appeal. Of course last resort is still the govenor's possible parden. That speeds up the process to cut the outragious court and housing and care costs, and is quick enough to be a deterant.

Response by SGT John Wesley made Apr 14 at 2015 11:09 PM

SGT John Wesley — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 23:09:30 -0400

I lost a sister to murder while I was still serving. Her Ex-Husband planned her death. He got a life sentence. I personally pushed for death. I believe if you take a life, you forfeit your life.

Response by TSgt Tim (lj) Littlejohn made Apr 16 at 2015 4:56 PM

TSgt Tim (lj) Littlejohn — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 16:56:01 -0400

Let the punishment fit the crime.

Response by 1LT Aaron Barr made Sep 30 at 2015 2:38 PM

1LT Aaron Barr — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 14:38:50 -0400

When examining the death penalty, it’s important that we understand exactly what’s happening. The purpose of the Justice system is just that, Justice; not justice for the victim or the accused but Justice. The cause of death of a condemned man is listed as ‘homicide by the state’ and that’s precisely what capital punishment is; the government, at either the state or Federal level, deliberately conspiring to take a human life in the name of all of its citizens. So the question is this; are there crimes that are such that Justice demands the criminal be put to death?

I would argue that there are several crimes that fit this criterion. Crimes against the state; treason, espionage, sedition etc. have been capital crimes for almost all of human history and should be. Crimes against military order and discipline would qualify as well; experience has shown them to be needed and proper. The more common types of crimes in which I believe the death penalty should apply would include murder, the deliberate, unlawful taking of a human life. I would argue that attempted murder should be as well; I don’t believe a person who intended to take a human life should be mollycoddled on the basis of having failed. Violent rape and child molestation should be as well.

An additional function of the death penalty should also be to deter potential criminals however this has been lost. It takes an average of 25 years for a condemned man to actually be executed. This is an entire generation; by the time the execution is finally carried out, only the family of the victim and condemned care and that deterrence is lost. Frankly, there ought to be a special court established specifically to deal with capital crimes appeals and they should be streamlined so as to speed up the process.

Frankly, I don't understand how we can't get this right. A few months ago, I had to have a beloved pet cat put to sleep. From start to finish, the procedure lasted about 20 seconds and she was purring in my lap until they gave her the sedative. While I realize that a cat is much smaller than a human, I find it difficult to believe we have a greater understanding of cat physiology than of human. I'd recommend that we simply apply an heroic overdose of heroin; we already have it in police evidence lockers so no issue of supply or cost and it's damned effective.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Aug 10 at 2018 9:26 AM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 09:26:39 -0400

Yes

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2018 11:11 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 11:11:18 -0400

Yes and no. Problem with capital punishment is the amount of time that is spent in appeals. Every right and appeal should be granted to the convicted, however 10-20 years to appeal is not the right to speedy process. The internal turmoil comes from how many innocent people are convicted, especially through the worst evidence EVER, eyewitnesses testimony! IMHO...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2018 8:35 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 20:35:46 -0400

Given the courts ability to make consistent rulings with the law... it makes it difficult to support most uses of capital punishment.