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| An eye for an eye. If you commit murder, you should be executed. Period. | | 6 | | I support it in some cases of 1st degree murder when there's extra violent/malicious extenuating circumstances. | | 8 | | I don't support it. Killing someone because they killed someone makes no sense. | | 5 | | | 5 |
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Conscript Rabbi
 
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| In a way, this case has no relevance for the death penalty discussion, it is first of all an example of a bad functioning justice system. In a bad functioning justice system, the outcomes are horrendous, whether the system has lenient penalties or harsh ones.
The only thing may be, is that one can contemplate in this case that at least the unjustly convicted could be freed, whereas, had he been put to death, it was irreparable. However, as NC points out: much is irreparable anyway. 27 years imprisonment is life ruining no matter how you look at it.
Why is this such a bad case?
Woodard was convicted primarily on the basis of testimony from two eyewitnesses. Officials say one has since recanted and the accuracy of the other has been questioned.
On the basis of the article, this seems to imply there is a suspect who is denying the charges and the only evidence are two testimonies from eyewitnesses.
This is a flimsy criminal case under any law. Without a confession there is little basis, you will need a lot of additional evidence. Best is: technical evidence, such as the DNA test that eventually exonerates him.
Another way to put it: it doesn't take too much of a defense lawyer to make mashed potatoes of the accusation. So how could the guy get convicted? Apart from having a bad lawyer, he may have had a jury.
So, in my mind, a case like this is more a point for questioning jury trials and for pressing a better supply of free lawyers (the accused can't possibly have been a rich guy with access to a prestigious law firm). |
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Udderly ridiculous
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| In a way, this case has no relevance for the death penalty discussion, Its actually pretty relevant to some of the early discussion in this thread though. Many pages back. 
Especially in regards to, isn't a life sentence a death sentence anyways, just drawn out painfully long? This most recent article isn't quite a life-without-parole case, but I still would probably rather face death than 27 years in prison.
*Edited because its 02:39 in the morning and I'm not quite making sense. lol* |
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"For in the final analysis, our most basic common link, is that we all inhabit this small planet, we all breathe the same air, we all cherish our children's futures, and we are all mortal. "
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Edited: 5/1/2008 4:39 AM by Nuclearcow | | | |
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Conscript Rabbi
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