Death penalty

[gae]

What is the cost, though, of one person put to death who was innocent?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Um... maybe the death penalty? (Laci and Connor Peterson were innocent, weren't they?)

While I understand the arguments against the death penalty, I have to question the "wisdom" of keeping a convicted killer alive for years and years. The victims didn't have that option.

[Piña]

Originally posted by gae:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">What is the cost, though, of one person put to death who was innocent?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Um... maybe the death penalty? (Laci and Connor Peterson were innocent, weren't they?)</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I fail to understand how your response relates to the question AL asked. I'm pretty sure she was asking what the downside of executing an innocent person is and was talking in a general sense not neceassarily just about this particular case.

While I understand the arguments against the death penalty, I have to question the "wisdom" of keeping a convicted killer alive for years and years. The victims didn't have that option.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">While it may be true that the victims did not have the option of appeals how does that apply with regard to the appeals process or the "wisdom" thereof? How exactly is it unwise?

A question to everyone: Is there a maximum number of times someone can appeal a death sentence or is it determined by other criteria?

[gae]

My point, Pina, is that the victims of these heinous death penalty crimes were innocent. And they were killed, without the benefit of appeals.

We're all entitled to a jury of our peers, correct? I know Lew's argument about money and the justice system and I don't think he's necessarily wrong. (Ted Kennnedy and Bill Clinto come to mind.) BUT, that's the best we have.

A jury of his peers have found him guilty of murder. They have decided on the death penalty. Why allow the man to live another 15 or 20 years?

To answer your last question, (and I'm sure the Lew man will correct me if I'm wrong) appeals go all the way to the SCOTUS.