Thread: With DNA positive ID bring back the Death Penalty

Yes yes without doubt

T

No. The death penalty is appropriate for poor societies that cannot afford to keep people in prison long term or make sure they can't escape.

The death penalty is lowering society to the same level as the criminal.

Consider; the USA is almost the only western democracy which retains the death penalty in practice. It is claimed to reduce crime, but they have both the highest prison population per head of any comparable country, and a murder rate between five and ten times higher than any comparable country, and it is highest in those states that have the death penalty.

Even if you look at the penalty as punishment, have a good think about whether death or the rest of your life behind bars is the worse penalty - and have you seen reports on the mental state of the Port Arthur killer lately?

If the death penalty is likely there are also likely to be unintended consequences - people facing it are more likely to get rid of unwanted witnesses, for example, and also juries will be less likely to convict accused persons.

History has shown, and present experience in the US continues to show, that the death penalty is unevenly applied - unpopular parts of society get it, the well known and prominent don't (O.J.Simpson for example).

John

I only ask this question when I'm called up for jury duty. Funny, I'm never picked.

Ken

the only problem with DNA is the ability to plant it. it should only be part of it, not an overwhelming factor in determining it.

i personally think current technology isnt good enough or isn't "implemented" well enough that it gives a 100% correct answer to who did what 100% of the time.

dam sure i wouldn't want to have my life hanging on it.. the goings on in Portugal at the moment are a testament to it not being the be all and end all.

One problem with the mandatory death penalty, as I see it, is that some crims might reckon they have nothing to lose by killing a few more people if it might help them avoid arrest.

For male serial rapists or paedophiles, perhaps castration is the answer. Who knows.


Ron

Forget about the death penalty, crims charged with capital crimes should be sold off to pharmaceutical companies to be used in biological testing, trials for vaccines, drugs etc.

That way you skip the animal testing (a good day for our primate brothers) and cures can be found a lot quicker.

How the hell could our Courts apply the death penalty......the courts haven't even the guts or nouse to apply a decent gaol sentence.

Repeatedly we witness criminals receive a minimal sentence - and how often do we then have to sit back and watch the perpetrators of horrific crimes appeal on technicalities.

(Ron - is that how perpetrators is spelt?)

Originally Posted by Barra1

How the hell could our Courts apply the death penalty......the courts haven't even the guts or nouse to apply a decent gaol sentence.

Repeatedly we witness criminals receive a minimal sentence - and how often do we then have to sit back and watch the perpetrators of horrific crimes appeal on technicalities.

(Ron - is that how perpetrators is spelt?)

Re the first, too true!

Re perpetrators, yes.

Ron