Man who killed police officer 10 years ago is executed

You said: "The accused must be proven guilty by reliable evidence."

And that is the difficulty of our system. The number of exonerations by DNA is over 100 since the testing started to be available to courts.

So, were they convicted on reliable evidence? Probably not, but they were convicted nonetheless, and if it weren't for the advancement of science, they would be dead. Innocent people executed by the state.

Our justice system is not good enough to have an irreversible punishment.

Actually almost all studies show that putting someone in prison for the rest of their life is much cheaper than executing them. This is because of the costs to the state when the prosecution puts on a capital murder case. Additionally, the costs to the state in the defendant’s (who is often indigent) automatic right to appeals. Look at how long it took for this one to take place. I’m not citing any sources because all you have to do is google it. That being said I’m all about exterminating a bad breed even though I don’t think it deters anyone (1 of the 3 considerations for criminal punishment). Just pointing out the “tax payer” argument would be to NOT execute people.

the subject of the death penalty very seriously, as everyone should. Removing an individual from society, by killing him or her, is horribly. I agree that this sentence should be reserved for the most hideous of crimes. In a perfect world, someone convicted of capital murder, would confess to the crime. But since trials are not like the old 'Perry Mason" TV show. The accursed must be proven guilty by reliable evidence. Just as the accused, should have a swift trial, as stated by the Constitution. Their punishment should be swift. For those of you, who would prefer a life sentence, for capital murder. The last I read, most or all of our jails, and prisons are over-crowded. So unless taxes are raised, to build more prisons. The death penalty, will be an option. Unless those who commit petty crimes, are put back on the streets.

as I mentioned earlier, since the advent of DNA testing, there have been 100 exonerations from death row. And these are just the crimes that had DNA available.

So how many innocent people were executed before DNA testing?

Our system of justice is too flawed to have irreversible punishments. We are now learning that eyewitness accounts are amazingly inaccurate, that forensic labs falsify evidence and prosecutors routinely hold by exculpatory evidence.

Do not get me wrong. I have little if any sympathy for those awaiting to be executed or those who have been. They normally deserve to die for their crimes. However, my main concern is the high cost of eventually executing someone. The ACLU has done an excellent job of making the cost of long and drawnout appeals at the tax payers expense more costly than just putting someone away in a dungeon for the next fifty years or so. Furthermore, those such as terriorits use the long drawn out appeals to spit out more of their verbal venim. Lock them up somewhere with no chance of parole and let them never to be heard again. Since the ACLU makes fortunes charging the government the lawyer fees for the appeals would dry up, this would also hurt another organization that does little for true justice. Secondary on my mind is that there is the remote chance that somewhere the system failed and are innocent. I know this is difficult for the families of the victims, but isn't it better to have trial, put them away so they can't hurt anyone else and then move on instead of following every appeal until the end.

We need to expedite the death sentences that are waiting to be applied. We need to drastically shorten the length of time between sentencing and exectution. Death, publicized death is the only deterent to crime. We need to show that it will be carried out swiftly and fairly but it needs to be done. Lets clear the cells in death row and start over.

can be discussed on many levels. Does it deter crime (never has and probably never will), is it evenly applied to rich or poor, black or white, is it morally right or just vengeance and is it even the worst punishment?

But the most important, to me, is whether or not we should have an irreversible punishment in a flawed system of justice?

Since about 1973 to the present, there have been about 130 exonerations for people on death row. About 100 of them have been since the advent of DNA (around 1985). So how many innocent people have been executed before DNA testing? Many of these folks had been on death row for years, before testing proved their innocence, so a short appeal and quick execution would have been essentially murder. And, for those law and order types, executing an innocent person still leaves the real murderer free, without much risk for capture.

And, remember, Virginia just changed the law that required new evidence to be presented within 3 weeks of conviction.

"You make a point about watered down deterrence, but we do need to give an opportunity to hear appeals. I say bring back the gas chamber, but let's make sure we are taking down the right person."

I agree wholeheartedly. But when the process itself extends for DECADES, something is wrong indeed. The whole strategy behind that is to seek a contradiction from someone who gave testimony in the original case. While that may be smart 'lawyering', I submit that most people are not going to be able to remember their original testimony to the letter, and it's those things that become the 'technicalities' that get sentences changed.

One thing that drives me crazy, and shows the uttter hypocrisy of many who don't favor the death penalty, is the claim that life imprisonment is actually more 'cruel' and harsh than the DP. The whole argument about the DP is it's 'harshness' and 'cruelty', why would anyone who is against it on those grounds claim that life in prison is thus better, because of the alleged harshness? That's just nuts!!

But I agree ith your premise above..

You make a point about watered down deterrence, but we do need to give an opportunity to hear appeals. I say bring back the gas chamber, but let's make sure we are taking down the right person.

Cost more to execute? Yep,because of the upteen appeals and LAWYER$.I can help.Those convicted of crimes that warrants the death penalty would be handled this way.You would have NO appeals if:your crime was caught on a camera-it was done in public in front of 10 or more witnesses not involved with the perp-you confess.If any one of these three are met,you are executed the very day of your conviction.Millions of dollars would be saved and more importantly,justice served.

A couple things gleened from a few posts in here...

"The overwhelming majority of studies taken in the past decade that deal with the death penalty system as it exists in various states within the US, have found that it inevitably costs more than a system where life without parole is the harshest punishment available"

Yes, no doubt about this. What can one expect when it takes DECADES to carry out the sentence, and those decades are filled with (to a large degree) tax payer funded appeals and other procedures?

"It is not about the money, I would argue that it is more about retribution and deterrence"

Again, because it takes so long to carry out the actual DP, the DP will not be a deterrence. Why would anyone be intimidated by a sentence that may not be carried out, or depends on WHERE the convicted lives to face it?

Per the headline: "Man who killed police officer 10 years ago is executed"

Good!!

It is not about the money, I would argue that it is more about retribution and deterrence, very big philosophies behind the American justice system. But then again, I may be pretending...

What if the killer was your child? Worse yet, for many of the executed, what if they were your father? Think about the other side. While there is the innocent who lost their loved one, how about the innocent of the guilty? I really believe no one thinks about that. Not that it carries as much weight, but, just think about how you would feel going to school the next week after your father was executed and your peers teased and taunted you. Just a thought.

...he'll never kill again will he?

Many anti-justice posters display a total lack of concern for the victims, their family and the safety of society. To them it's all about costs--costs inflated by anti-justice groups by their repeated bogus stalling tactics. Many successfully argue that these supposed costs are pulled out of thin air. One thing is certain: letting murderers live won't bring back this honorable officer or others killed by criminals. Before activist groups began their all-out assault on the death penalty it was carried out much quicker. Charles Guiteau assassinated President Garfield and was executed FIVE MONTHS after his conviction and an appeal. The system can work--some people don't want it to. Sgt. Timbrook, we thank you for your service and sacrifice. Our heartfelt condolences to Kelly and Ricky Lee. Governor Kaine--if this execution is carried out, thank you for not stopping justice for whatever reason.

Good riddence!! And Mrs. Mary, if you do not approve of capital punishment that is your right but understand here in Va. we do approve. That is why we reinstated the law. Me personally....I think there should be a quick trial, 1 appeal, then excercise the penalty within 12 months. I am tired of feeding, housing, clothing and taking care of all these low lifes who in most cases took someone else's life or destroyed it in some terrible way.

That so many of you haven't bothered to think about any of the garbage you are spitting out. Let's shoot him in the head, juice him...you will not be missed. Good God, I am more afraid of you all than him! You all sound like a bunch of angry souls.

Quit with the tax dollars argument.....

"The overwhelming majority of studies taken in the past decade that deal with the death penalty system as it exists in various states within the US, have found that it inevitably costs more than a system where life without parole is the harshest punishment available""

"Various state governments estimate that a single death penalty case, from the point of arrest to execution, ranges from $1 million to $3 million per case.
Other studies have estimated the cost to be as high as $7 million.
Cases resulting in life imprisonment average around $500,000 each, including incarceration cost."

You all might want to check your facts before pretending like you know what you are talking about.

Should be public execution....Let some of these young punks see whats in store for them if they don't change their ways. A shame it takes this long to see justice done.

Those that tried to explain how to chase someone down a dark alley didn't quite get what the original poster was pointing out. He mentioned "editor" in his post, so that should clearly point out that he was referring to the misspelling of the word alley. So before trying to make him seem stupid, perhaps you should have a better understanding of his intent, because now you seem like the dumb one!

Dear lj17163,

The joke is on you--an ally is a friend, an alley is a narrow street.