bring back hanging yes or no?

[spitalhouse]

Originally Posted by Wendigo

And if later evidence proves the accused was innocent the executioner could console themselves that at the time it was the right thing to do. Who would want that on their conscience?
Not all these cases are black & white, for every Peter Sutcliffe where there is overwhelming evidence there are others where a decision regarding guilt can come down to trace elements of DNA or a few fibres.
To err is human, as we all know.

But surely, determined advocates of the death penalty are willing to take a chance that innocent people may possibly be executed. If they're not willing to take that chance then my advice is don't support capital punishment.

Regards.

[seany65]

I think most advocates of the death penalty would actually be willing to pull the lever or press the button, especially if it got them onto the tv. They'd prolly get appearance money, especially if they went on 'Jeremy Kyle'.

[3745 Laddie]

Originally Posted by scoundrel

It puts a lot of onus on the Court of Appeal (presided over by three Law Lords) to be politically independent. I sense the danger of which you speak, but it's not just as simple as that to exploit the rules. The DPP risks his career every time he makes an application; and these applications always attract publicity. The Law Lords have their own credibility on the line as well and are well aware that their rulings will be scrutinised in the legal journals as well as the press. Ministers are not involved; it is the death knell to their careers if they are caught trying to be involved. I don't say this isn't open to abuse, it sure is, but I don't the chance to abuse it as "gilt edged" because there are all sorts of ways in which any such scheme could explode in the face of those trying it on.

I do agree though that it unjustly insures the state against the incompetence and worse of its police and criminal investigators. Where evidence should have been detected and wasn't, that's not a good enough excuse to overturn double jeopardy. I am not anxious to defend this measure, it's merely that I also think that when a murderer is acquitted that is also a serious and dangerous injustice. Let's never forget that civilisation needs a competent and respected judicial system. If people lose their confidence in the courts because they see the murderers walking free, they have other remedies.

scoundrel,I take your point but we have a political class now who think they can get away with just about anything-and their confidence is usually justified.I mean,the expenses thing for example.David Cameron was one of the worst offenders and yet only a few low ranking patsies saw their careers ended and their liberty breifly taken.

There was a time when I'm sure I would have agreed with double jeapordy being done away with,as well as things like ID cards and DNA databases for all,in the mistaken belief that only those with something to hide had anything to fear.When you scratch the surface of some of these ideas,you start to see that keeping things as they are can be much the least worst option.

[Xexemedes]

Wow, just saw this thread!

I am liberal in that I believe education and environmental issues are more important than making money and having cheap fossil fuels. I, however, support the 2nd amendment, the right to bear arms, and I walk a pretty thin line about state sponsored execution.

After members of the UK's police resigned because of phone tapping a few weeks ago I do not know if the "state" can be trusted with something as simple as news let alone the decision of life and death So there in lies the problem: can we trust the state to simply do its job? If we can't, then they should not be allowed to do any job for the public.

That said, a child molester or serial rapist or serial murderer is simply a social cancer. When we discover a cancer in our body we remove it, we then watch carefully to make sure it does not return.

I do believe that the death penalty would be a deterrent, if it was used! Countless inmates sitting on death row are like heros in the prison system-the baddest of the bad, still alive, being supported by the very society they attempted to maim, or murder, or rape.

So, do all the latest forensic tests, confirm guilt or innocence beyond a shadow of doubt for every one on the row, then clear death row. Innocent go to, well, wherever they belong, the guilty go to meet their maker. When Louisiana passed the "Shoot the Carjacker" law carjackings were out of control. After declaring the car an extension of the house, and therefore defendable by deadly force, carjacking went way down, and further, after a carjacker was shot in a parking lot carjacking almost stopped altogether-the only lives criminals value are their own. If they can commit the worst crimes imaginable and be given a place to stay, food to eat and medical attention then they will continue, if there is nothing waiting for them but an iron chair, a needle full of toxic drugs or a swinging rope they will most assuredly think twice, and those that don' t have proven they do not value any human life.

[billybunter]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnjELhGgEbA

Here is a tour of the old Belfast gaol. It lasts 53mins, but is very interesting.

BB

[palo5]

Originally Posted by Davemetalhead

Modern executions in "civilised" countries tend to use some kind of machine (hanging, lethal injection, electric chair). Putting a gun to someone's head gets you up close and personal. That will have an effect on a person's psychological make-up. It's also very messy - most modern firearms will create an exit wound at close range.

To say that "no preparation" and "no expertise" is needed I think is incorrect.

I'd also quibble with the painless statement. One twitch from either the condemned or executioner can botch it, causing a serious injury and immense pain. How will you ensure that the condemned doesn't move?

Dave, no one said it was 'civilized' to kill people, but if it is to be done, it really is the most 'efficient' method

Let me put it this way: have you been to a 'civilized' slaughterhouse, or seen reports of them on TV? The animal drops stone dead, and execution by pistol shot is not very different

[Markus R]

Originally Posted by billybunter

If a death penalty was brought back. How many advocates would be willing to "flick the switch" not many i'd guess.

I think the victims families would readily do it

[Markus R]

I remember Tory John Redwood saying that we should bring back hanging. When he was asked to comment on miscarriages of justice he said that it didn't matter as long as we hanged some that were guilty. A shocking and completely out of touch statement if ever there was one and indicative of idiots like him.

[billybunter]

The justice system should protect the public, not enact revenge.

[spitalhouse]

Originally Posted by Markus R

I remember Tory John Redwood saying that we should bring back hanging. When he was asked to comment on miscarriages of justice he said that it didn't matter as long as we hanged some that were guilty. A shocking and completely out of touch statement if ever there was one and indicative of idiots like him.

That's because people like him are well aware that they will never find themselves in a position whereby they are the victims of a miscarriage of justice.

Regards.