I am curious, how many appeals do you think a criminal should get when they are waiting on a death penality sentance?

It always bugged me that we pay SO much for these guys to sit in there and they only reason its taking so long to finish the process is because they keep getting the right to appeal.

I agree that maybe a couple chances but come on, after 10-20 years, the facts are not going to change.

How do you feel?

oh and I don't know the legal system too well so I don't know how many they get or the rules on that.

I feel like the death penalty should be illegal so that this isn't even an issue.

BUT, since it is, I think that someone on death row should get as much time as it takes to introduce any proof that would exonerate them. After all, we are talking about someone's LIFE, and I would rather spend money letting a guilty man appeal than kill an innocent one for someone else's crime. Life means more than money.

I feel like the death penalty should be illegal so that this isn't even an issue.

BUT, since it is, I think that someone on death row should get as much time as it takes to introduce any proof that would exonerate them. After all, we are talking about someone's LIFE, and I would rather spend money letting a guilty man appeal than kill an innocent one for someone else's crime. Life means more than money.

:tu

I agree that maybe a couple chances but come on, after 10-20 years, the facts are not going to change.


I forgot to add... This isn't always true. I heard the stories of two different men just in the last few weeks that were released from prison recently after DNA evidence finally exonerated them. One of them sat on death row for 26 years, the other one was in prison for 33 (don't remember if he was death row or not). If the process was too swifty those men may have died for NOTHING. They are two of MANY that have been let out of prison after serving a good chunk of their lives.

There are also several cases of men exonerated of crimes years after they were executed.

There are also several cases of men exonerated of crimes years after they were executed.

And the double slap there is that the innocent man is dead but the true guilty party is out enjoying life - not exactly "justice" in my book.

I think 1 and then fry the sucker.

I think 1 and then fry the sucker.

:devil:rofl:hystericlaugh That is so wrong but I like it!

While I do worry about the chances of having a innocent party put to death, in MOST of the current cases in order to get the death penalty you have to have DNA evidence.

I feel that if there is DNA evidence that has proven the case that they should have 1 appeal per justice layer and be required to complete them within 5 - 7 years

I think 1 and then fry the sucker.

i agree with that. you are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and if you can get 12 men/women to agree and say yay or nay to your freedom then you should only get 1

Honestly, I think they should get 3 LOGICAL appeals-not just the last minute efforts to avoid being killed. After that, if they're still there, then kill them. It's ridiculous that thses guys get to live 30 or 40 years on death row while their victims(and families) don't get that luxury. Granted, prision isn't a resort, but they're still liveing and get to see their loved ones,ect.

I think they should get as many appeals as they need. Crimes committed in the 80s now have DNA on their sides. So 20 years can make a difference. I think the instances of someone being on death row and able to convince anyone of their innocence while behind bars is not common, additionally, if they can produce information that proves their innocence - there's a great chance they are innocent.

I feel like the death penalty should be illegal so that this isn't even an issue.

BUT, since it is, I think that someone on death row should get as much time as it takes to introduce any proof that would exonerate them. After all, we are talking about someone's LIFE, and I would rather spend money letting a guilty man appeal than kill an innocent one for someone else's crime. Life means more than money.

:yes:yes

1 million appeals if we have to have the death penalty.

http://www.law.northwestern.edu/depts/clinic/wrongful/exonerations/Bloodsworth_MD.htm

There was never any doubt in my mind that the death penalty should be gone, but this man would have sqaushed any I could have had.

I think that they should get one standard appeal to the state and one to federal (not requiring new evidence) and if they do not have new evidence to present then that should be the end of the appeal process.

but seriously, what about people like kirk bloodsworth?!

I don't think there should be a death penalty. I don't believe that any family deserves to have their family member killed, i on't care what they did. Death penalty is like a punishment to the person's entire family, not just the person who commited the crime. And besides, look at all the people who have been put to death and then new evidence came up that showed they didn't even do it. Death penalty is wrong! and as for how many tax dollars are spent on prisoners... personally, think prisoners sentenced for long periods of time should have to work to provide their own wages to pay for them being there.

but seriously, what about people like kirk bloodsworth?!

He had new evidence.

I know DNA has made a huge impact in the court system and I realize that new evidence does come to light. I have also seen a jury let a guilty man go free for lack of DNA alone, which is equally as tragic. A local woman was raped, all evidence pointed to the defendant. Fingerprint experts said his fingerprint were all over everything, even had the victim testified and point him out in open court YET because he wore a condom and there were no stray hairs to gather DNA, these 12 people let him go free. DNA is an excellent tool but it is not the ONLY tool used to convince beyond a shadow of a doubt. The case was air tight but with all the publicity about DNA this and DNA that, these jurors could not see the real evidence in front of them.

I use to be all for the death penalty - and at that time i thought anything beyond 2 appeals was excessive (it varies state to state, court to court)

But now I'm against the death penalty - I feel that it makes us no better than the scummy cons that we've sent there...And it's imbalanced - It's disgusting that in one state you can kill 20 people and only get life, yet in another you can kill 20 and get the chair.

So - I feel that a working, lifetime sentence is the best way to go, no appeal ... if they're scum and will spend endless years in jail, might as well make them work and somehow benefit the society they've helped to pock.

But making my dentures is not what I want them to do :D