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pinkandblue
Our family is complete, maybe
Member since 9/05 32436 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Did Texas execute an innocent man - VERY LONG article
And are you for or against the death penalty? Does this story change your mind....
news story
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Posted 10/3/09 7:41 PM  |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
Name:
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Re: Did Texas execute an innocent man - VERY LONG article
texas' history with the death penalty is a huge reason I'm against capital punishment.
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| Posted 10/4/09 8:04 AM |
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CrankyPants
I'm cranky
Member since 7/06 18178 total posts
Name:
Mama Cranky
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Re: Did Texas execute an innocent man - VERY LONG article
I read this story last week-it's just terrible.
I don't need a story to change my mind though-I've always been against the death penalty; at one time the stats were that 1 in every 100 people executed was innocent of the crime that they were executed for. I'm sure that number has changed.
When I hear about horrible crimes my visceral side wants to see these people wiped off the planet. Also, if anything ever happened to MY child my primitive instincts would probably take over and I'd go after the SOB with my own hands.
However, I've always been ethically opposed to the death penalty, I don't think it has any place in a rational court system and I could never sentence someone to death if I was on a jury in a DP case.
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| Posted 10/5/09 10:01 AM |
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Diane
Hope is Contagious....catch it
Member since 5/05 30683 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Did Texas execute an innocent man - VERY LONG article
I am still "for" the death penalty, whether this guy was innocent is another story.
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| Posted 10/5/09 10:33 AM |
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Kidsaplenty
Sister love
Member since 2/06 5971 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Did Texas execute an innocent man - VERY LONG article
I'm against the death penalty. For me, even one innocent life being taken is enough to abolish the death penalty.
Not to mention that it costs more to actually have an inmate executed than to keep them imprisoned their whole lives..
But that case, OMG I could not even imagine that this guy was put to death with the whole arson finding being pretty much overturned by one of the leading experts in that field. And several others support the new findings years later, its unbelievable.
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| Posted 10/5/09 11:40 AM |
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jerseypanda
Life is good.
Member since 1/07 9164 total posts
Name:
Amanda
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Re: Did Texas execute an innocent man - VERY LONG article
This story is just such an injustice and there are so many things about it that make me want to cry. How horrible.
I am against the death penalty because although I do believe that there are horrible, disgusting monsters out there who deserve to die for the crimes that they commit, I cannot bring myself to believe in a system that has the potential to put to death even 1 single innocent person. The risk is just too great. 
May he rest in peace if he was in fact innocent.
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| Posted 10/5/09 1:02 PM |
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CrankyPants
I'm cranky
Member since 7/06 18178 total posts
Name:
Mama Cranky
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Re: Did Texas execute an innocent man - VERY LONG article
For those who support the death penalty, I always wonder how they feel about the innocent people that could get caught up in it.
i.e. is it okay in their eyes that even 1 person could be executed when they were innocent of the crimes that put them on death row?
And if not-what it their solution?
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| Posted 10/5/09 2:00 PM |
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SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!
Member since 12/05 20105 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Did Texas execute an innocent man - VERY LONG article
Posted by CrankyPants
I read this story last week-it's just terrible.
I don't need a story to change my mind though-I've always been against the death penalty; at one time the stats were that 1 in every 100 people executed was innocent of the crime that they were executed for. I'm sure that number has changed.
When I hear about horrible crimes my visceral side wants to see these people wiped off the planet. Also, if anything ever happened to MY child my primitive instincts would probably take over and I'd go after the SOB with my own hands.
However, I've always been ethically opposed to the death penalty, I don't think it has any place in a rational court system and I could never sentence someone to death if I was on a jury in a DP case.
ITA with everything above!
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| Posted 10/5/09 3:20 PM |
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headoverheels
s'il vous plaît
Member since 6/07 42079 total posts
Name:
LB
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Re: Did Texas execute an innocent man - VERY LONG article
i've always been in favor of the death penalty but this story honestly makes me question my beliefs.
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| Posted 10/5/09 3:30 PM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
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Re: Did Texas execute an innocent man - VERY LONG article
I am still for the death penalty - not just in cases of murder. Rape, child molestation, etc. qualify in the courts of my mind.
The story didn't change my mind. It only reinforces my belief that we need a better legal system to ensure those convicted of a crime actually caused it.
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| Posted 10/5/09 3:37 PM |
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Re: Did Texas execute an innocent man - VERY LONG article
It makes me sick that the courts will not listen to new evidence. Its as if people are too afraid to admit a mistake was made.
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| Posted 10/5/09 5:11 PM |
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Re: Did Texas execute an innocent man - VERY LONG article
People like Marty Tankleff and Jeff Deskovic would not be here today if the legal system would have allowed them to be executed. One of those cases was a double murder and the other was a rape/murder, so they could have been death penalty cases in some states. Both of these people have been found to have been wrongfully convicted. They are both now advocates for the wrongfully convicted. If you are reading Jeff Deskovic's name for the first time, you may want to see more information at http://jeffreydeskovicspeaks.org/ Deskovic's website . If you are reading Marty Tankleff's name for the first time, then I guess you do not read a lot of my posts!
I was on the fence about the death penalty until a law school professor of mine convinced me that the death penalty is a violation of the 8th amendment. That professor was involved with the Natiional Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (www.ncadp.org). If I could speak as eloquently as my professor did, then I could convince people as he did with me.
I had trouble getting through the article that the OP posted because I had a friend who died in a house fire when we were both 12. It is so difficult for me to read about people dying in fires. I read as much as I could, though  .
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| Posted 10/5/09 6:01 PM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
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Re: Did Texas execute an innocent man - VERY LONG article
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
I had trouble getting through the article that the OP posted because I had a friend who died in a house fire when we were both 12. It is so difficult for me to read about people dying in fires. I read as much as I could, though .
She's not forgotten.
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| Posted 10/5/09 9:37 PM |
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sometimesmommy
Always in my heart.....
Member since 11/06 6686 total posts
Name:
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Re: Did Texas execute an innocent man - VERY LONG article
I am still in favor of the death penalty and as sad as this story is doesnt change my mind. However I feel that the legal system needs to be revamped. There are too many loopholes for true criminals. There are cases of people caught red handed who raped/murdered women, children etc and some get to watch TV, workout etc instead of being fertilizer.
Kerie--
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| Posted 10/6/09 9:42 AM |
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Diane
Hope is Contagious....catch it
Member since 5/05 30683 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Did Texas execute an innocent man - VERY LONG article
Posted by nrthshgrl
I am still for the death penalty - not just in cases of murder. Rape, child molestation, etc. qualify in the courts of my mind.
The story didn't change my mind. It only reinforces my belief that we need a better legal system to ensure those convicted of a crime actually caused it.
You said it better than I could. I still agree and all for the death penalty.
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| Posted 10/6/09 9:46 AM |
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Milerose
MY BABY!
Member since 9/06 4161 total posts
Name:
R
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Re: Did Texas execute an innocent man - VERY LONG article
Posted by Diane
I am still "for" the death penalty, whether this guy was innocent is another story.
I could not have said it better myself! I am totally with you on this!
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| Posted 10/6/09 9:50 AM |
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CrankyPants
I'm cranky
Member since 7/06 18178 total posts
Name:
Mama Cranky
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Re: Did Texas execute an innocent man - VERY LONG article
Posted by Milerose
Posted by Diane
I am still "for" the death penalty, whether this guy was innocent is another story.
I could not have said it better myself! I am totally with you on this!
Okay, but if this man was innocent (not saying he was, but IF he was) and we executed him-how do you rationalize that?
I'm not being snarky, I'm just trying to understand how folks who support the death penalty reconcile themselves to the fact that an innocent person is put to death.
I think this is one area where there really is no room for error, but to know that innocent people are put to death and still people support the death penalty tells me that they must be okay with this.
Again-not trying to be snarky, I just could never stomach such a mistake.
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| Posted 10/6/09 1:45 PM |
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sometimesmommy
Always in my heart.....
Member since 11/06 6686 total posts
Name:
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Re: Did Texas execute an innocent man - VERY LONG article
Posted by CrankyPants
Posted by Milerose
Posted by Diane
I am still "for" the death penalty, whether this guy was innocent is another story.
I could not have said it better myself! I am totally with you on this!
Okay, but if this man was innocent (not saying he was, but IF he was) and we executed him-how do you rationalize that?
I'm not being snarky, I'm just trying to understand how folks who support the death penalty reconcile themselves to the fact that an innocent person is put to death.
I think this is one area where there really is no room for error, but to know that innocent people are put to death and still people support the death penalty tells me that they must be okay with this.
Again-not trying to be snarky, I just could never stomach such a mistake.
I totally understand when someone is innocent and how the innocent are penalized can not sit well with people--which is why the legal system needs to be revisited. For me I would execute on cases beyond a doubt i.e the guy who raped Dh's 2 year old cousin and ran while pulling up his pants. People like that where there is no room for error that he is guilty. For cases where its not cut an ddry then I would say life in prison so the person has a chance to appeal.
Message edited 10/6/2009 2:02:50 PM.
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| Posted 10/6/09 2:02 PM |
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jerseypanda
Life is good.
Member since 1/07 9164 total posts
Name:
Amanda
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Re: Did Texas execute an innocent man - VERY LONG article
Posted by nrthshgrl
I am still for the death penalty - not just in cases of murder. Rape, child molestation, etc. qualify in the courts of my mind.
The story didn't change my mind. It only reinforces my belief that we need a better legal system to ensure those convicted of a crime actually caused it.
So knowing that the legal system is the way it is right now, knowing that the legal system is not good enough to ensure that those convicted of a crime are always the ones who actually did it, do you still currently support the death penalty? Or do you reserve your support of it for the day when the legal system has no errors on making sure only the guilty are in jail on death row?
I'm just trying to pick your brain for a moment because I am truly curious! 
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| Posted 10/6/09 2:22 PM |
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Beth
The Key to your new home....
Member since 2/06 24849 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: Did Texas execute an innocent man - VERY LONG article
I don't believe in the death penalty b/c I think life in jail is much worse then death
and that way if the court makes a mistake- which it will - even with improvements- you can just set the person free...
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| Posted 10/6/09 2:36 PM |
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Re: Did Texas execute an innocent man - VERY LONG article
Posted by nrthshgrl
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
I had trouble getting through the article that the OP posted because I had a friend who died in a house fire when we were both 12. It is so difficult for me to read about people dying in fires. I read as much as I could, though .
She's not forgotten.
That means the world to me.
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| Posted 10/6/09 3:04 PM |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
Name:
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Re: Did Texas execute an innocent man - VERY LONG article
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
I was on the fence about the death penalty until a law school professor of mine convinced me that the death penalty is a violation of the 8th amendment. That professor was involved with the Natiional Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (www.ncadp.org). If I could speak as eloquently as my professor did, then I could convince people as he did with me.
ITA with you and your professor. death isn't something that you can reverse. I think it's cruel to take away one of our "inalienable rights" - according to our Declaration!
for those that saw only in clear cases - there is no way that 12 people will ever agree that something is clear cut. I served on a jury and I'm pretty liberal, always wanting to give someone the benefit of doubt. I came home after witnesses saying - this guy is so guilty. I got to the jury deliberations and I was shocked that people argued that he wasn't. Everyone is so different
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| Posted 10/6/09 4:07 PM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: Did Texas execute an innocent man - VERY LONG article
as long as human beings are conducting investigations, there will be innocent people sent to death.
there is no way to avoid it. revamping our legal system may save some, but there is no fail proof system to implement.
there will simply always be people more interested in being right, or people who just don't care enough about the lives of others to look any further than they have to.
the death penalty as it is applied now serves NO purpose other than retribution. it is proven to not be a deterrent...when was the last time you saw someone put to death for a crime? when was the last time you were even made aware of it?
I agree with the IDEA that if you take a life of another person, you forfeit that right for yourself.
but the practice of it...with we humans as administrators...we are too flawed to ever be without error. and how do you apologize to the wrongfully executed person...there families?
the "cost of doing business" just doesn't seem worth it.
so, I am FOR the death penalty in theory, but not in the way it is currently practiced.
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| Posted 10/6/09 4:14 PM |
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sometimesmommy
Always in my heart.....
Member since 11/06 6686 total posts
Name:
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Re: Did Texas execute an innocent man - VERY LONG article
I guess the same is true for the guilty who get away under our flawed system. Guilty walk free and innocent die under our current system so nothing is fair unfortunately.
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| Posted 10/6/09 5:17 PM |
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jerseypanda
Life is good.
Member since 1/07 9164 total posts
Name:
Amanda
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Re: Did Texas execute an innocent man - VERY LONG article
Posted by sometimesmommy
I guess the same is true for the guilty who get away under our flawed system. Guilty walk free and innocent die under our current system so nothing is fair unfortunately.
True, but if someone who is guilty walks free, there is a chance that they will screw up again and finally have justice served on them.
Unfortunately, if an innocent person is executed, there is no way to correct that.
Although I think they are both terrible, I find it more difficult to live with the fact that innocent people are put to death. Even if it is a fraction of a possibility, the death penalty should not happen at all unless we can 100% guarantee that innocent people will not die. IMHO, I don't think that is possible.
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| Posted 10/6/09 7:15 PM |
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