Morning Guyver!
Sometimes death is too good for people.
In rare case, man who has not yet been tried wants state to execute him
By BRETT BARROUQUERE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - In what experts say is a rare occurrence, a man accused of murdering two children and attacking their mother has asked a judge to let him plead guilty and to sentence him to death.
"I only wish the judge to sentence me to death so no one can feel responsible for another's death, including mine," Marco Chapman wrote in a letter to Circuit Judge Tony Frohlich read in court in October. Chapman, 32, is due back in court Tuesday, when a doctor is expected to testify about his mental state and whether he understands what a guilty plea and death sentence would mean.
"His request is very well thought out," Linda Smith, who is prosecuting Chapman, said last week. "The big question is, will he change his mind and what do we do if he does?"
Neither lawyers nor death penalty activists and researchers could provide statistics on how often someone pleads guilty to a capital crime and seeks a death sentence. But lawyers and activists agree it is rare.
The last time an inmate in Kentucky did so, he later changed his mind - but lost his appeal.
Donald Johnson pleaded guilty and sought to be executed for the 1989 torture slaying of Helen Madden in the coin-operated laundry where she worked in Hazard. He also pleaded guilty to robbery, burglary and sexual abuse.
A divided Kentucky Supreme Court rejected Johnson's later attempt to withdraw the plea and he remains on death row.
"If you plead guilty, you waive your right to appeal," said Roberta Harding, who teaches capital punishment law at the University of Kentucky law school. "There's nothing to appeal."
Chapman confessed to killing Cody Sharon, 6, and his sister, Chelbi Sharon, 7, on Aug. 23, 2002, in their home. He also admitted to tying up and repeatedly stabbing their mother, Carolyn Marksberry. She recovered, as did her daughter Courtney, who also was stabbed but survived by playing dead.
Harding said people like Chapman who seek execution are using the state to fulfil a death wish.
"It's almost like he wants to commit suicide and he wants the state to assist in his suicide," she said. "He knows his options. It sounds like he's looking for some control."
Diane Clements, director of Justice for All, a pro-death penalty group in Houston, said a case like Chapman's isn't one of "suicide by state."
"Pleading guilty and accepting responsibility for the crime committed is unusual," Clements said. "The case will dictate the punishment, not the killer."
Morning Guyver!
Sometimes death is too good for people.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">He should be punished by not receving it. BUT who knows, maybe he thinks like me and he's asking for it to receive a life sentence instead.Originally posted by Andyman:
Morning Guyver!
Sometimes death is too good for people.
Wow, aren't we a cheerful bunch this morning? First I read about the gathering being cancelled, and now capital punishment in the coffee shop.
Screw this, gimme some donuts with frosting, coffee with frosting, and some napkins (lightly frosted). I'm gonna start the week with a sugar high!
Sorry about the gathering Chet. We could still do it with four people if you want. [img]wink.gif[/img] Maybe we could just meet at a donut shop?
<font color="#cd6600" size="1">[ December 06, 2004 08:51 AM: Message edited by: Andyman ]</font>
Morning All,
My sooners are heading to the orange bowl to play for the National Championship!!
And jason white will win his second heisman trophy.
Good morning all - just passing through as I go outside and beg someone for another nickel so I can afford that piece of bread for lunch today
Morning all. Busy week ahead for me. We're having our Operational Readiness Inspection this week. Alot of simulated terrorist attacks, etc will be going on all week. Should be funny watching some of these civilians around here. I'll pop in every now and then, especially if I have a good story to tell, lol.
Now if it was actually an attack, the first person I'd think about shooting would be the lady in the next cubicle, lol. She gets stressed out at the drop of a dime and often starts crying. She has about ZERO credibility with me and would be an acceptable casualty. [img]graemlins/devil.gif[/img]
Andy,
I ran across the street here to the Awrey's Outlet store, and now my blood-sugar level is fine.
So I'll have time to make MORE customs for the "gift exchange" at the Jan/Feb/Oct Midwest Gathering.
But where's our Quote of the Day, and Historical Flashback?
I hate the fact that I've been to every single one of the gatherings, but couldn't work out the scheduling conflicts for that particular date. In a selfish way, I'm kinda glad we have the opportunity to reschedule it.
I miss all you fruit-loops.
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