When Did I Become Anti-Death Penalty?

I had a weird revelation about a month ago. Without provocation or consideration, I had somehow, over time, become an opponent to the death penalty. I very rarely express my views on the matter, mainly because it rarely arises in normal conversation. Over the last few months, and mostly spawned by “the trial,” I found myself thinking about the subject and couldn’t quite seem to understand my switch.

Most influential in my exodus from “eye for an eye” methodology, is that there is no practical reason for the death penalty. Death Rows across the nation are located in the most secure areas of the most secure detention centers. Most inmates on death row are sequestered to their cells for usually more than 22 hours a day. Inmates don’t break out of Death Row anymore. In addition, execution isn’t a deterrent any longer now that it take so long to reach execution date after sentencing. The intimidation factor would still exist if we executed convicted felons (who’s crime warranted lethal correction according to the law) one month after conviction instead of 20 years.

Secondly, I just don’t think it’s government’s or state’s job to be killing people. There something backwards about imperfect people condemning other imperfect people to death. Let’s leave judgement up to our Maker.

Lastly, I’m finding it hard to defend my staunch pro-life beliefs while supporting the murder of convicted felons in the name of justice. It just sounds hypocritical. In the past, I would say, “oh, well that’s different,” but life is life. It’s not worth any more or less from conception to adulthood.

I don’t know the economic impact caused by life imprisonment vs. eventual execution, so I won’t speculate other than to speculate that the difference is probably negligible. :)

So, I guess I fully oppose the death penalty, domestically or in military tribunal. It is an archaic program that in unnecessary in an evolved, more intelligent society.

Today, The Court System Worked

I told myself that I would leave the Casey Anthony trial alone for a while, but after hearing and watching the Twitterverse explode and my facebook feed erupt, I figured I’d chime in on a few things. I want to preface this web log by saying how lucky I am to live in a nation where presumption of innocence is the standard and where the state weighs the burden of proof. Americans often take this for granted, but the rights that we have, such as a fair and speedy trial, a jury of our peers, double jeopardy rules, etc. are not orthodox in all countries.

The U.S. justice system was designed firstly to protect the innocent. After that prerequisite is met, then and only then is condemning the guilty a concern. It may seem barbaric and less than utilitarian, but I would set 40 murderers free if it meant that one innocent person would not be charged for a crime he didn’t commit.

I’m not going to get into the details of the case, but I will say that I’m thrilled that we don’t sentence people to death because they look guilty anymore. Even the most vile of people still must be convicted beyond a reasonable doubt. Justice, in many of eyes, may not have been served, but the courts did not fail us.