Texas prepares to execute 500th inmate

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

On Wednesday, barring a reprieve, Kimberly McCarthy will become the 500th convicted killer in Texas to receive a lethal injection.

The number far outpaces the execution total in any other state. But it also reflects the reality of capital punishment in the United States today: While some states have halted the practice in recent years because of concern about wrongful convictions, executions continue at a steady pace in many others.

The death penalty is on the books in 32 states. On average, Texas executes an inmate about every three weeks.

http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/news-national/20130625/US--Texas-500th.Execution/

[RGinWA 816]

Ah Texas, always bigger and better.

[TBoneTX 46,173]

This criminal murdered her elderly neighbor, stole her money, and used it to buy drugs.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

On Wednesday, barring a reprieve, Kimberly McCarthy will become the 500th convicted killer in Texas to receive a lethal injection.

The number far outpaces the execution total in any other state. But it also reflects the reality of capital punishment in the United States today: While some states have halted the practice in recent years because of concern about wrongful convictions, executions continue at a steady pace in many others.

The death penalty is on the books in 32 states. On average, Texas executes an inmate about every three weeks.

http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/news-national/20130625/US--Texas-500th.Execution/

Good one less criminal mouth to feed. As a bonus it's a female. Helps appease the Affirmative action crowd. I feel like they would be more of a deterrent if they were televised. Have a big special like they did for Wallenda

Edited June 26, 2013 by The Nature Boy

[Teddy B 17,252]

Good one less criminal mouth to feed. As a bonus it's a female. Helps appease the Affirmative action crowd. I feel like they would be more of a deterrent if they were televised. Have a big special like they did for Wallenda

I agree that it would be a crime deterrent and they should be televised, parents can chose if they want their kids to watch. Can't be any worse than what these kids see every day on video games, this will at least put a reality spin on it instead of glorifying it. I think that it should be mandatory for high schools to have mandatory field trips once a year for juniors and seniors to visit their local prison, just to get a taste of what could be should they chose that lifestyle.

[Karee 4,191]

I personally don't think it's a deterrent at all. I think there have been studies shown that it is not. OTOH, there's no chance of this woman killing someone again. It seems that life without parole would have the same result. I doubt many criminals take into account the penalties for the crimes they are about to commit before they commit them.

[Teddy B 17,252]

I personally don't think it's a deterrent at all. I think there have been studies shown that it is not. OTOH, there's no chance of this woman killing someone again. It seems that life without parole would have the same result. I doubt many criminals take into account the penalties for the crimes they are about to commit before they commit them.

As it stands now, it's not much of a deterrent because not many people get to see it. Kind of out of sight, out of mind. Do you think it would be a deterrent if kids got to witness it on tv, or perhaps in person? I think it would.

[Karee 4,191]

As it stands now, it's not much of a deterrent because not many people get to see it. Kind of out of sight, out of mind. Do you think it would be a deterrent if kids got to witness it on tv, or perhaps in person? I think it would.

I don't think it would. As I was saying people commit all kinds of crimes without thinking of the consequences. I doubt this woman considered whether or not she would get life in prison or death in the moments before she robbed and killed the victim. If she had witnessed an execution on Geraldo Live! or Jerry Springer before the crime, I doubt it would have made any difference.

[Teddy B 17,252]

I don't think it would. As I was saying people commit all kinds of crimes without thinking of the consequences. I doubt this woman considered whether or not she would get life in prison or death in the moments before she robbed and killed the victim. If she had witnessed an execution on Geraldo Live! or Jerry Springer before the crime, I doubt it would have made any difference.

I doubt this woman ever thought of the consequences either. I'm thinking that instilling the possible consequences into the kids heads as an educational tool, (not on Geraldo) before they think of committing such crimes, it might help.

[Karee 4,191]

I doubt this woman ever thought of the consequences either. I'm thinking that instilling the possible consequences into the kids heads as an educational tool, (not on Geraldo) before they think of committing such crimes, it might help.

Kids are shown all kinds of horror stories about drinking and driving, drugs, sex, whatever. Yet it doesn't seem to stop 16 year old Susie from downing a bottle of Boone's Farms Strawberry HIll on a Saturday night and then letting the local High School Football hero have his way with her without a condom in the backseat of her parent car that she later drives home $hitfaced.

No argument there. My question is do you think that a person would not commit a crime merely because they would get the death penalty vs. life in prison?

[Teddy B 17,252]

Kids are shown all kinds of horror stories about drinking and driving, drugs, sex, whatever. Yet it doesn't seem to stop 16 year old Susie from downing a bottle of Boone's Farms Strawberry HIll on a Saturday night and then letting the local High School Football hero have his way with her without a condom in the backseat of her parent car that she later drives home $hitfaced.

No argument there. My question is do you think that a person would not commit a crime merely because they would get the death penalty vs. life in prison?

Not everyone can "be saved", but it has been proven that education about these things at a younger age does help prevent them from happening.

I think that some people would not commit a certain crime if they knew there was the good chance of getting the death penalty, yes. Some people are predisposed to do whatever the hell they want to do, and nothing will deter those people.

[Karee 4,191]

Not everyone can "be saved", but it has been proven that education about these things at a younger age does help prevent them from happening.

I think that some people would not commit a certain crime if they knew there was the good chance of getting the death penalty, yes. Some people are predisposed to do whatever the hell they want to do, and nothing will deter those people.

I'll use Thailand as an example since I know a little about it. They have the death penalty for drug trafficking. In fact the flight attendants sometimes warn of this in a sweet voice prior to your arrival into Bangkok. However, they have a raging Methamphetamine problem there. I just don't think people weigh the severity of the penalty in cases where the difference is life in prison or death.

[Teddy B 17,252]

I'll use Thailand as an example since I know a little about it. They have the death penalty for drug trafficking. In fact the flight attendants sometimes warn of this in a sweet voice prior to your arrival into Bangkok. However, they have a raging Methamphetamine problem there. I just don't think people weigh the severity of the penalty in cases where the difference is life in prison or death.

My point is focused on young kids, the pre-criminal record type, not the already a career criminal type. I think it would have a difference on the younger kids, if we educated them more before they have a chance to do that decision making in the future.

[Karee 4,191]

My point is focused on young kids, the pre-criminal record type, not the already a career criminal type. I think it would have a difference on the younger kids, if we educated them more before they have a chance to do that decision making in the future.

I agree that children should be educated about the consequences of their decisions. I don't know if showing public executions is the right way to go about it. Maybe making them watch 24 hours of Locked Up Raw on MSNBC might help.

[Teddy B 17,252]

I agree that children should be educated about the consequences of their decisions. I don't know if showing public executions is the right way to go about it. Maybe making them watch 24 hours of Locked Up Raw on MSNBC might help.

I've never seen the Locked Up Raw, but I'm assuming it's a bit like Scared Straight that was on years ago. That would work on me as a young teenager, no doubt.