No Death Penalty for Taylor's Killers; Fifth Suspect Charged; Suspect Pleads Guilty

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by mooby

Also, what constitutes a 1st degree murder? I'm not familiar with the differences between 1st/2nd/3rd degree murder.

Each state legislature determines what constitutes the difference between first, second, and third degree murder. As you might have guessed, first degree murder is the most serious of the three and typically involves premeditation and/or the death of a law enforcement officer. Second degree murder typically entails the intentional, but "non-premeditated" (a fine distinction), killing of another person. The types of acts that can constitute third degree murder vary wildly from state to state. However, I believe "crimes of passion" may fall within that category. So, for example, if I walk into my bedroom and catch Smootsmack with my wife and I kill him, I may face third degree murder instead of second degree murder due to the surrounding circumstances.

In any case, I think the whole discussion is rather moot ... at least with regard to the shooter. It's not exceeding difficult to prove felony murder in the case of a robbery. The shooter is royally f'ed and I cannot see the prosecution entering into a plea agreement whereunder the shooter serves less than 50 or so years. But, what do I know, I'm not a criminal lawyer.

On a related note, when should cost EVER be a factor in determining whether to execute someone or send them to life in prison? The notion that the cost of (not) executing a convict should have ANY impact on the decision to (not) put someone to death is crazy. That sort of thinking appeals to Chinese communists and wackjobs. Under no circumstances should any rational person (especially a true "conservative") consider such things when debating whether someone should be put to death.

[HOGTIMUS PRIME]

To bad our tax dollars have to be wasted on keeping this vermin alive. Funny that we put so much value on the life of an individual, or individuals who they themselves put so little value on it. So an innocent man is murdered and we now all go to work to see that the individuals that murdered him live! You got to love it.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by HOGTIMUS PRIME

To bad our tax dollars have to be wasted on keeping this vermin alive. Funny that we put so much value on the life of an individual, or individuals who they themselves put so little value on it. So an innocent man is murdered and we now all go to work to see that the individuals that murdered him live! You got to love it.

When you get into the legal costs involved with a death penalty case (investigations, appeals, etc.) they actually end up being quite expensive vs. non-death penalty cases.

Costs of the Death Penalty

[HOGTIMUS PRIME]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

When you get into the legal costs involved with a death penalty case (investigations, appeals, etc.) they actually end up being quite expensive vs. non-death penalty cases.

Costs of the Death Penalty

A big reason why that happens is the outcry of people who want to fight to keep a murderer alive, when it's a clear cut case there shouldn't be any more money allocated than any other case. The fact that the cost to execute someone does escalate needs to be rectified.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

When you get into the legal costs involved with a death penalty case (investigations, appeals, etc.) they actually end up being quite expensive vs. non-death penalty cases.

Costs of the Death Penalty

You gotta be kidding me?? Not trying to turn this into a political debate but when you kill someone in cold blood you should be thrown into a alligator pit and it should be broadcasted on pay per view. Do away with all of this bullshit appeal nonsense. I bet that would stop all of this gun violence.

[SC Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

You gotta be kidding me?? Not trying to turn this into a political debate but when you kill someone in cold blood you should be thrown into a alligator pit and it should be broadcasted on pay per view. Do away with all of this bullshit appeal nonsense. I bet that would stop all of this gun violence.

Yes, public executions and denial of any legal appeals process would sure do the trick. Damn the Bill of Rights, full speed ahead!

[ArtMonkDrillz]

Originally Posted by SC Skins Fan

Yes, public executions and denial of any legal appeals process would sure do the trick. Damn the Bill of Rights, full speed ahead!

It's like that movie Running Man!!!!

[ArtMonkDrillz]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

You gotta be kidding me?? Not trying to turn this into a political debate but when you kill someone in cold blood you should be thrown into a alligator pit and it should be broadcasted on pay per view. Do away with all of this bullshit appeal nonsense. I bet that would stop all of this gun violence.

So bascially you would just say that it sucks for people like this...

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

I actually know a guy who was coerced into confessing to a murder that he did not commit (DNA evidence proved as much). He was serving a life sentence. He was exonerated after spending 10 years in prison. Lord knows what would have happened to him had he been given a death sentence. The death penalty needs to be scrutinized and most states need to revise their death penalty "systems."

Cases like this are not really all that uncommon.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by ArtMonkDrillz

So bascially you would just say that it sucks for people like this...

Cases like this are not really all that uncommon.

When you have a clear cut case like this one then there should be no trial for the trigger man. He should be put in front of a firing squad.

[ArtMonkDrillz]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

When you have a clear cut case like this one then there should be no trial for the trigger man. He should be put in front of a firing squad.

How is it so clear cut who the trigger man actually is in this case? Do you have photographic evidence? Are there multiple, credible witness who are all saying the exact same thing? Do you have the murder weapon with his finger prints on it? Was the gunman over the age of 17 when this happened?

Listen, I hope these kids are convicted and sent away for a long, LONG time and I hope every day they spend in prison is worse than the last but there is a process that must be followed for every case or we risk living in a country where the police can kick in your door and drag you off to Room 101 just because your neighbor said she thinks you did something bad.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

You gotta be kidding me?? Not trying to turn this into a political debate but when you kill someone in cold blood you should be thrown into a alligator pit and it should be broadcasted on pay per view. Do away with all of this bullshit appeal nonsense. I bet that would stop all of this gun violence.

Please tell me you are not serious.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

Please tell me you are not serious.

I'm dead serious! Punks like these guys should be done away with.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

I'm dead serious! Punks like these guys should be done away with.

Very myopic viewpoint. I suppose you don't care much for the constitution, rule of law, or due process. People who usually think such things haven't really thought things through. Sorry if that sounds incredibly arrogant and obnoxious, but it's true IMO.