Texas Insists on Executing a Man the State Admits is Innocent

[georgesbluegirl]

It doesn't appear the this young man had anything to do with the murder other than being present, in that case everyone their should be found guily under this premise. He may have felt fear for his life after the murder and drove him around not really knowing what to do. This seems a little harsh.

When he was driving the car, did he know the guy was going to commit murder?

I think that's the issue. Under the law, if he did he can be sentenced to death - but they're arguing that there's new evidence that shows that he didn't. I disagree with applying a death sentence in either case, but it seems even more heinous to me that a spur of the moment murder committed by someone connected to you by your situation could land you in a spot like Foster's.

Re: Marnie - I accept that statistics don't always tell the whole truth, but what else do we have to work with besides the numbers? My main point, anyway, was if we throw statistical analysis out the window for determining whether or not the death penalty is a deterrent, then there is no basis to make a statement either way - but that generally, it's bad logic to assume the positive in the absence of proof. At the very least, ignoring analysis such as, say, homicides per capita in states with and without the death penalty, means that it's just as inaccurate to say that there IS a deterrent factor as was claimed it is inaccurate to say that there isn't.

We can say that maybe, somewhere someone might be deterred by the idea that they might be put to death for a crime, but logically, most people aren't thinking that far ahead. Given that there doesn't appear to be much of a deterrent effect even for incarceration, which is a more immediate consequence of criminal action than death by state, why would we assume a deterrent effect for capital punishment?

[Axxman]

This guy (and his friends) were involved in two armed robberies, then a man was murdered on the third armed robbery. If you are driving around with your friends robbing people at gunpoint...you have NO excuse. "I didn't know he was going to shoot him," Is not a real good defense when you are driving around pointing guns at people and stealing money. Not to mention they were ALL on probation for prior felonies. It should also be known that while Kenneth Foster was being booked into jail he admitted being a member of the "Black Gangster Disciples."

I also agree with Butero that the Death Penalty should be expanded and applied more. Personally I would like to see far stiffer penalties placed on people who join gangs. I would support life in prison for anyone with a gang tattoo...and the death penalty for crimes committed in gang activity.

[hepatocyte]

This guy (and his friends) were involved in two armed robberies, then a man was murdered on the third armed robbery. If you are driving around with your friends robbing people at gunpoint...you have NO excuse. "I didn't know he was going to shoot him," Is not a real good defense when you are driving around pointing guns at people and stealing money. Not to mention they were ALL on probation for prior felonies. It should also be known that while Kenneth Foster was being booked into jail he admitted being a member of the "Black Gangster Disciples."

I also agree with Butero that the Death Penalty should be expanded and applied more. Personally I would like to see far stiffer penalties placed on people who join gangs. I would support life in prison for anyone with a gang tattoo...and the death penalty for crimes committed in gang activity.

Then I'm glad you're not a lawmaker.

"I would support life in prison for anyone with a gang tattoo"

- Punishment should fit the crime. Getting a gang tattoo warrants life in prison? Get real.

"and the death penalty for crimes committed in gang activity."

- Would that include graffiti? Loitering? Mugging?

What about innocent people who are dealt the death penalty?

We are not living under Old Testament laws, in case you forgot.

It's one thing to be tough on crime; another to be trigger happy and lacking mercy.

[hepatocyte]

While we may not be living under Old Testament law, the fact that God instituted the death penalty for a wide array of crimes shows it is fine for the government to do so. In America, we used to hang people for stealing horses. This man was guilty of armed robbery. Making sure this man never has the opportunity to get free and commit more crimes to me is a good thing, so I am all for going ahead with the execution.

In America, we used to do lots of things.

That harlot was guilty of prostitution. Making sure that woman never has the opportunity to live and spread her vile, salacious ways is a good thing, so I am all for stoning her to death.

[Axxman]

Then I'm glad you're not a lawmaker.

I get that alot...lol

"I would support life in prison for anyone with a gang tattoo"

- Punishment should fit the crime. Getting a gang tattoo warrants life in prison? Get real.

Perhaps you are not up to date on gangs. If a person is so loyal to a criminal group that they'll get their symbology permanently marked into their flesh... they should be put away for life.

"and the death penalty for crimes committed in gang activity."

- Would that include graffiti? Loitering? Mugging?

Okay, you got me here. I should have said felonies...which could include mugging if a weapon is involved.

What about innocent people who are dealt the death penalty?

Pray. Trust God.

We are not living under Old Testament laws, in case you forgot.

It's one thing to be tough on crime; another to be trigger happy and lacking mercy.

maybe we should be a little more favorable towards God's laws. As far as mercy goes...thats a fine idea. Lets let everyone out of jail who says they are sorry. Lets show them mercy too. Or are you only able to give mercy to people who commit crimes so heinous that society deems them worthy of death?

The reason that the death penalty doesn't have a dramatic effect is becasue it is used too sparingly and too many people beat the penalty. I guarantee you that if we start using capital punishment on every gang-banger, drug dealer, armed robber, child molester...things would be noticeably different.

[hepatocyte]

What other sins would you support the death penalty for?

[Fraught]

I do not believe that the present justice system is able to fairly administer the Death Penalty on anyone!! The Death Penalty should absolutely be abolished. Speaking of statistics, there are far too many studies proving that those who get stiffer sentences are the poor, the ugly and the minority! Forgive my exclamatory and self-righteous tone but can you to show me a case of a rich white handsome man going to the gas chamber!!??

I read the posts comparing the different studies but if even ONE innocent person was put to death because he couldn't afford a good defense or some prosecuting attorney wanted to run for governor and was enhancing his record, that is TOO MANY!

I can't see that the OT judges had ulterior motives like ours do now!!

[kat8585]

What other sins would you support the death penalty for?

I would be ok with a death penalty for any violent crime, as well as for pedophiles.

Drug dealers who sell drugs to kids.

[kat8585]

OJ new book comes out soon, He is not a rich white man. How did he get off?

He's a rich black man.

[Janakev]

It is not a joke, just a misrepresentation of what is taking place. Read the article and you will see that the story is quite differen't than the title of this thread.

I've read the article before this and I still cannot believe it's happening. This is pointless bureaucracy at its worst.