Ah, the old death penalty argument. Tibs and I disagree on it, but only by a fraction.
My take: I'm 100% for the death penalty in a very small number of cases. Two things need to happen for me to think it's all right. One-there must be absolutely no doubt of the person's guilt. It has to exceed what would usually result in a conviction. Multiple (many) witnesses and a confession are good enough if the witnesses are reliable and the convicted isn't crazy (Roof is evil, not crazy). I prefer video or photo evidence for a death sentence. Two-The crime has to be extraordinarily heinous (serial killings, mass shootings, etc.) and the killer without remorse.
The stated purpose of imprisonment is for punishment and rehabilitation. Some people cannot be rehabilitated or just frankly do not deserve the chance. Roof is one of these people. There is no doubt he committed this crime and he would do it again if released. There's no point in keeping him alive. I'd have to be completely opposed to murder for me to care if the state sanctions "murder" such as this. I'm not completely opposed to "murder" in very special circumstances. Therefore, I do not care at all if this kid dies. He's earned it.
My take: I'm 100% for the death penalty in a very small number of cases. Two things need to happen for me to think it's all right. One-there must be absolutely no doubt of the person's guilt. It has to exceed what would usually result in a conviction. Multiple (many) witnesses and a confession are good enough if the witnesses are reliable and the convicted isn't crazy (Roof is evil, not crazy). I prefer video or photo evidence for a death sentence. Two-The crime has to be extraordinarily heinous (serial killings, mass shootings, etc.) and the killer without remorse.
The stated purpose of imprisonment is for punishment and rehabilitation. Some people cannot be rehabilitated or just frankly do not deserve the chance. Roof is one of these people. There is no doubt he committed this crime and he would do it again if released. There's no point in keeping him alive. I'd have to be completely opposed to murder for me to care if the state sanctions "murder" such as this. I'm not completely opposed to "murder" in very special circumstances. Therefore, I do not care at all if this kid dies. He's earned it.
