People opposed to the death penalty always like to say that sentencing someone to life in prison is worse than the death penalty therefore it is a more appropriate sentence for heinous crimes. Proponents of the death penalty, such as myself, have argued that you can’t insure that someone sentenced today will not get out at some time in the future. Today the N&O settled this argument with a front page story: State forced to free 20 violent criminals. (it will actually be more as the story explains)
Some of these convicts actually spent time on death row but were not executed. They will now all walk free while most of their victims are dead and no longer have that option. Those who were victims of rape and assault will most likely never escape the prison created for them by these monsters. Our thoughts and prayers need to be with them.
Civitas polling shows that North Carolinians not only strongly support the death penalty for first degree murder they even more strongly support the death penalty for child rapist. Several of these inmates were convicted of raping children.
None of these violent criminals are being released because of a mistake by the judicial system or because they are innocent and no one can show that anyone executed by North Carolina in modern times was innocent. So the next time a death penalty starts using a life sentence as an excuse for doing away with the death penalty – remind them that these violent criminals are now walking freely among us!
Don’t forget, the town of Oak Island also purchased a pier and is starting to have similar issues.
The state legislature saw the same problem you do with the “life = 40 years” idea, so the law in NC was changed in 1994. Life without the possibility of parole is the only sentence, besides the death penalty, that can be imposed on those convicted of 1st degree murder. Those sentenced to LWOP today will die in prison. It truly does mean life, and (though counterintuitively) it truly is cheaper than the death penalty.
Life without parole convictions of first degree murder isn’t always “first degree murder” but NC’s Felony Murder Rule guarantees this verdict, if someone dies with the use of a dealy weapon. The “Felony Murder Rule” language bindes the outcome of a guilty verdict because of how juries are instructed by the judge according to the language. What is however left out, is the:
1. “intentions beyond a reasonable doubt;”
2. some victims’ criminal history;
3. victims’ violent reputations: street,
neighborhood & community which invokes/causes
real fear compared to the defendant’s
reputation/criminal history and
4. vital informations/leads/witnesses not
pursued/presented in the case or during the trial.
why not make the death penalty s prison that has no sports, weight rooms air condition,etc. Make it no mail, no visitors, no computers, no mixing with other people at all. No books, no outside contact. They can rot in a cell. Feed them, and take care if they become sick. To me that is the death penalty. Everyone can assume they are dead. No appeals no book writing, no movie deals. No lawers getting richer on thier horrible crimes. Build a death prison. The only guard that would be needed are the ones that slide their food under the door.
Yes.. Tommy for president
i agree
@ tommy i have to disagree with u simply because sometimes people r convicted of a crime that they did not commit and if that was the case then the wrongly convicted ppl not only have to do time they do not deserve but yet be misersble until they prove there self innocent….and another thong sometimes ppl have no choice in the matter and then cant prove thereselves because the law is so messed up these days…especially if u have screwed up in the past and im my eyes the past is the past dont judge ppl on it today!!…but i will say i do understand ur point….
I read online that the average person sentenced to life only serves 13 years in prison. I would just like to ask what sane person thinks this is a sutable punishment for the horrendus crimes people commit. Tommy, i do agree with you, however tanya has a point. In my opinion that is what should happen if you dont behave wile in prison. Its all about human rights, but i think human rights has gotten out of hand. Were was the victom’s human rights when the criminal murded them, mutilated them, raped them, abused or asulted them (not nesessarily all of these things, i was making a point). I believe that if you have done any of this, YOU HAVE NO HUMAN RIGHTS.
I AM IN LOVE WITH A LIFER. HE IS DOWN FOR MURDER .. PRINCIPLE. HOWEVER HE HAS SERVED 15 YEARS. I PROMISE THAT I WILL DO EVERYTHING THAT I CAN TO HELP HIM GET OUT. ITS NOT ALWAYS WHAT ITS CRACKED UP TO BE… SOMETIMES THE FACTS DON’T ADD UP.. SOMETIMES THEY DO. JUST THINK IF IT WAS YOUR HUSBAND SON OR FAMILY MEMBER THAT WAS THE LIFER. AS LONG AS YOU PUT YOURSELF IN THE SHOES OF THE FAMILY THAT YES LOST SOMEONE BUT THE SHOES OF THE FAMILY THAT IS LOSING SOMEONE TO THE PRISON SYSTEM. MURDER IS NO MORE OF A SIN THEN EATING TOO MUCH. WHO AND OR WHAT MAKES US THINK THAT IT IS WORSE. WHEN THE KILLED JESUS, HE SAID FORGIVE THEM SO HELP ME TO UNDERSTAND WHY A LIFER DOES NOT DESERVE A SECOND CHANCE. PEOPLE CHANGE.
There are many lives in a lifetime. There are crimes that can’t be ignored that deserve the death penalty, as in child rape. We forget that “revenge is mine sayeth the lord”. People do change over the years in maturity and those that murder and kill other people deserve to be locked up for some time. Whatever that time is, no one really knows except the person that commited the crime. There is a lifetime every seven years. Scientist say our bodies replace every cell in our body every seven years. Is that not considered a lifetime? I know me personally have changed my views on humanity several times in the past 50 years. I was prejudiced against black people when I was young – I’m glad I wasn’t sentenced to life in prison that. People do change.
Life should mean just that!!! Life.
@IN LOVE WITH A LIFER there is nothing in the 10 commandments about eating to much, let alone the bible, It seems to me you have put no value on the life of the person who was murdered, only on the one in prison,you pretend to be a christian, but I bet you never read the bible from cover to cover, or you would NOT compare eating to much with murder
maybe criminal who get life sentence should be dumbed in the north pole so they will live but they will have to battle with extreme condition and they can think about what they have done. it will save a lot of money for us taxpayer.
Actually, the scripture does speak to eating in the sense that feeding your own stomach – and not your soul – is in fact worshipping the belly. which is a sin and will eventually lead to death or destruction of one’s own self. Just “reading” the bible is not enough. Pray for the LORD to give you a good understanding. Jesus’ ransomed many by his death and resurrection of Life. He was and still is trying to show us the way BACK to God. We all have the chance to repent and turn back to him….unless we have strayed from truth for so ling that we are blind, deaf and or dumb to Him. Punishments can be subjective in our society. Surely we are trying to do the best we can to Love each other. Wrongdoers come in all shapes and sizes. Scripture teaches that we have all sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. It is a terribly tough situation for the justice system and society to come to a good agreement on what constitutes the fair and just punishment. Automatically prescribed sentences can run the risk of being cruel and unusual punishment or not harsh enough. Perhaps it is better to really be able to take each case on an individual basis – with much time and prayer to determine how best we can love each other – taking ALL the circumstances into to consideration – to come up with good solutions to bad problems. In the meantime….righteousness is still the best. Making the right and good choice is always the most important and perfect option. Yet Jesus the Christ was perfect in both the flesh and the spirit of God and He was still misunderstand by most. In American justice we believe that in God we trust. I am going to rest assured today that God WILL remain – even better – God will REGAIN control of this country and while we try to do the best we can and still fight with each other…. that His justice will reighn. People please pray for pure motives in your thoughts and your actions. Satan tries to deceive us and make us think his ways are Gods ways. Dont be a fooled by his deception. Lying, cheating, stealing, and etc. with the wrong intent your mind and heart can get you into some really hot (ice) water. Be patient. Endure. Ask for God to guide you and guess what? He makes a promise that he will never break….God loves us and He wants us to listen to HIS voice. Prepare yourself to hear Him Today. Incidentally, seemingly all crimes are committed as a result of our choice to worship ANYTHING (money, ourselves, self righteousness etc.) other than our only one true LORD. The MANIFEST GOD. “True dat” :)
To Tanya. First off, this is not twitter. Stop with the @ and the ppl. Secondly, the percentage of people wrongly convicted today is below 1% so your argument holds absolutely no weight. Thirdly, if someone brutally murdered someone would you care about, would you just be like, “Sup bro, I forgive you. The past is the past and I do not want to hold you back.”?
To IN LOVE WITH A LIFER, shut up. You are clearly lying out your ass. If my brother raped and killed some innocent girl I would not hesitate to shoot him on the spot. If you lose someone to the prison system it means they are scum and do not fit in with society. You can sit back with them and go nowhere in life or you can move on and make something of yourself by proving you are a good person.
Prison is not severe enough anymore to deter anything. It has become a haven for gangs where criminals learn more about their craft. I agree with Tommy, take away all the creature comforts, especially for the vermin that abuse their children.
To Paul Blart – Have you ever heard two wrongs don’t make a right? Also, those of you who are speaking out against those in prison – you will never know until you have a LOVED one in there. You can say what ever you want. Maybe you are people who can’t walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.
I am so sorry but for those of you who are feeling sorry for those lifers I have absolutely no pitty for someone who is in there for murder. My son was murdered and that’s crazy that you actually want me to feel sorry for them or consider the fact that they have a family. What is seriously wrong with you??? My son had a family to and guess what he doesn’t have the chance of coming home, does he? No he doesn’t so again keep these murderers behind bars for the REST OF THEIR LIFE!!!! They should be able to have no contact with their family what so ever and that means no visitors, no mail, no phone calls and I plan on making it my mission to get this law in place. Why should you be able to see your family member when we can’t see ours. Sorry but go cry on somebody else’s shoulder because this momma is not falling for it. Karma eventually comes back and sorry but they are reaping what they have sown.
@ Paul – What do you mean we will never know until we have a loved one in there. You want me to step into your shoes??? Please how about stepping into mine? How would you like going to the cemetery to visit your child? Believe me it’s not a good feeling. You’re completely ignorant to other’s feelings but you want us to step into your shoes??? Kinda hypocritical don’t you think? Let me tell you I wish I could visit my child and see his face. Any time a murderer takes another’s life they should lose ALL RIGHTS TO THEIRS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No disrespect to anyone involved with a lifer,and my heart goes out to the people that lost love one from the hands of a lifer etc.but I will tell all of you listening from xperience.When any woman decides to marry,or to involve themselves with a lifer you have given up all hope for your own happiness and your freedom.I married a man in prison and my reason was because I had so many issues within myself that I took the easy way out.Basically I gave up on me.my self esteem was low so I married someone that I felt was lower than I was.I wanted to feel desired and needed by a man so bad that I involved myself with someone that I was not.This man told me all the things I wanted and needed to hear.He fed me fairtales.He gave me things to make me believe he loved me.He told me I was his angel,he talked about God,he told me I was the only woman for him,he told me I was beautiful and sexy,he even sent me some money that another woman sent to him.But his most famous line to me was that he did not do it and he was innocent.he would write me dirty letters as though he were the sexiest and only man on the planet.Everything I said I liked he played on it.But my message to all you women out here thinking about marrying a lifer or getting involved with a lifer is please font do it.These men are in it for phone calls,visits,money and control.nothing was ever his fault,it was always my fault.his fake tears,his fake act,just to keep me around because he needed someone on the outside stupid enough to spend life with them and make their life easier.They really dont love you because if they truly did they would tell you to go on with your life and live,they would not be selfish.How many men would wait on you if you went to prison for life? Probably none.Women you cannot be these grown mens mothers.There is nothing that these men can do for you and if they get out their options are open and chances are they will leave you so please dont throw your lives awAy for a man whos life is over and pick up your self esteem because you deserve better more and the best.Aan you can touch,feel,have real moments together and a future with stop living pipe dreams with a man that is shorting you and selling you dreams just to get and stay and to control your mind.Live!!!
I think ppl deserve a second chance my brother got 101 years for being in the car during a drive by the person that shot was caught but yet they still gave my brother all that time he was only 18 years old I truly belive he should pay but not 101 it not right and I do belive people realize there mistakes and change…he did kill any one the should give him a chance to come home to his daughter and family…
I think ppl deserve a second chance my brother got 101 years for being in the car during a drive by the person that shot was caught but yet they still gave my brother all that time he was only 18 years old I truly belive he should pay but not 101 it not right and I do belive people realize there mistakes and change…he didnt kill any one they should give him a chance to come home to his daughter and family…
So many of these comments have not only one, but several or many mistypings–misspellings or the wrong choice of homonym. Such errors detract from the writers’ messages and drive the reader to discount whatever may be said, on either side of the issue.