Prosecution seeks death penalty for James Holmes

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

I can't believe he really thinks he was going to plead guilty and spend the rest of his life behind bars

http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/01/justice/colorado-theater-shooting-prosecution/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

Prosecutors said Monday they will seek the death penalty for Colorado movie theater shooting suspect James Holmes despite his offer last week to plead guilty in exchange for avoiding a death sentence.

"It is my determination and my intention that in this case for James Eagan Holmes, justice is death," Arapahoe County District Attorney George Brauchler said.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

I'm disappointed. Why do we approve of death in the case of a killer? Its hypocritical. I think it would provide quicker closure and save money to have just accepted his plea.

If saving money is important, then keeping him alive doesn't accomplish that.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Believe it or not, a shorter trial, lack of appeals, and the typical death row procedures costs more than prison costs for life.

Interesting, it must be different here.

I personally don't understand why someone would choose life in prison, especially someone as young as this man is.

Give me death over life behind bars any day.

*Unless thats been debunked - there were studies on the costs but its been a few years since i've really looked into it.

No idea. I can find sources arguing both sides of the issue, so who knows...

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

If saving money is important, then keeping him alive doesn't accomplish that.

Actually, it does. A death sentence costs multiples of a life behind bars sentence.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Actually, it does. A death sentence costs multiples of a life behind bars sentence.

Yes, so I've been told.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Yes, so I've been told.

From the commies at Forbes: The Real Cost of the Death Penalty

[Penny Lane 8,159]

From the commies at Forbes: The Real Cost of the Death Penalty

I am not doubting you. I'm telling you someone already told me this.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Believe it or not, a shorter trial, lack of appeals, and the typical death row procedures costs more than prison costs for life*.

*Unless thats been debunked - there were studies on the costs but its been a few years since i've really looked into it.

http://deathpenalty.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=001000

It's a thourough read.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

I'm not personally for the death penalty, but that's easy to say as someone who doesn't know anyone that was gunned down in a movie theater. My viewpoint would likely change.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I'm not personally for the death penalty, but that's easy to say as someone who doesn't know anyone that was gunned down in a movie theater. My viewpoint would likely change.

Do we really want to go down the path where the relatives or acquaintances of homicide victims get to say whether or not the death penalty should be applied? I suspect that we'd have a lot of state sanctioned killing going on then. I could appreciate the death penalty if it would serve as a deterrent but it fails to do that. Since it doesn't help in the prevention of crimes and since it costs a hell of a lot more than locking a perp up for the rest of his/her life, the rational decision is to abolish it. That said, I can understand that people want some good old fashioned revenge for some of the most heinous crimes. Not for rational reasons but for emotional ones.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Do we really want to go down the path where the relatives or acquaintances of homicide victims get to say whether or not the death penalty should be applied? I suspect that we'd have a lot of state sanctioned killing going on then. I could appreciate the death penalty if it would serve as a deterrent but it fails to do that. Since it doesn't help in the prevention of crimes and since it costs a hell of a lot more than locking a perp up for the rest of his/her life, the rational decision is to abolish it. That said, I can understand that people want some good old fashioned revenge for some of the most heinous crimes. Not for rational reasons but for emotional ones.

I never once said or implied that the victims of these crimes and their family members should "get to say" whether or not the death penalty should be applied. I simply stated that I disagree with the death penalty, but if I were in a position where someone I loved ended up the victim of these crimes, I'm sure my mind would change.

[Darnell 8,478]

I'm always for the death penalty. Not too much for me to debate about it, either.

Sure, there's the question of appeals (plural) taking years and lots of monies but ..

I feel strongly the death penalty should be in all 50 states. Why to be different about it, when the atrocity of the crime is the same across all 50 states?

No, I'm not gonna fuss at those who don't like the death penalty. I'm an older fella, my days of political juicing are waaaaaaaaay past.

[^_^ 5,021]

I'm ok with the death penalty for certain crimes but I'd prefer a stricter standard of guilt. No reasonable doubt is not enough. I'd like to see something close to a no-doubt standard.

Edited April 1, 2013 by ^_^

[Penny Lane 8,159]

I'm always for the death penalty. Not too much for me to debate about it, either.

Sure, there's the question of appeals (plural) taking years and lots of monies but ..

I feel strongly the death penalty should be in all 50 states. Why to be different about it, when the atrocity of the crime is the same across all 50 states?

No, I'm not gonna fuss at those who don't like the death penalty. I'm an older fella, my days of political juicing are waaaaaaaaay past.

Why are you for it? What does it accomplish?

[Darnell 8,478]

Why are you for it? What does it accomplish?

My opinion on any of that, even the answers to your questions, won't matter, O Evylin.