Ohio Inmate Flips the Bird to Witnesses at his Execution

reply to post by phaesporia63incarnate


There was an execution in Ohio a year or so ago I dont remember the man's name, but he was convicted on totally circumstantial evidence and when he was executed he confessed and looked the witnesses in the eye and said he what he did was horrible and he was sorry and he hoped his death brought them closure and peace.

Now that was class. I do not agree with his crime, but I give him kudos for manning up and in the end doing the right thing.

No closure Tinker. NO revenge. I like to think of it as consequences for your action. I taught my daughter from birth that for action there is a consequence it could be good or bad. Everything she does is a choice. Make the right choice, consequences are good. Make a not so good choice and the consequences are, well, not so good.
For every action there is an equal reaction.

I always felt, before today, that the death penalty was wrong, soley on the fact that it is an unchangeable consequence. I always worried they were executing someone who is innocent. I always felt that I would rather spare the lives of 100 murderers than kill an innocent man and I still feel that way.

However, today, in my heart and soul, I know this man finally got the consequences for his actions. His last moments on this earth proved it to me.

I guess that was all I was trying to say with this thread.

reply to post by Ghost375


Caps lock issue was edited. Just for you. Peace.

reply to post by TinkerHaus


I understand what you are saying, and you do have a valid point. There have been people on death row who were later found innocent.....and if there is a chance they have been wrongly convicted, then I say they should get life ....and let them have their appeals. But there are some people where there is NO doubt, and who will happily tell anyone who will listen the details of their disgusting crimes. Serial killers being one, and people like this guy. They ENJOY reliving what they did, and they just milk the system. Those are the ones that I feel should get the death penality....for example, think about Richard Ramirez (the "night stalker serial killer)....he's a perfect example.....who is still alive and mocking the people he slaughtered...he got married and is getting regular money from his "wife". Do you think he got married becaused he "loves" this woman? No....he found a sucker who would fall for his BS....a gullable, lonely woman who he could "play". If he got out tomorrow, he would butcher her too. There IS such a thing as pure evil. I wouldn't have said that a few years ago....but I have no doubt now. It angers me that his victim's families tax dollars..... that they work hard to pay go to paying for that bas****'s food, shelter and healthcare, and that he will probably live to be an little old man.....while they lost their family members way too soon, because he butchered them in the most horrible way imaginable. Maybe I'm jaded, but I don't think so....it's just the truth. I do respect your opinion though.

reply to post by StealthyKat


Thanks. Surprisingly civil conversation considering the emotional value of the subject matter. I appreciate this.

I still think even those proven guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt should be left to rot for their entire lives. I understand where you are coming from though, I just don't agree with all of it.

It has been demonstrated that in many cases it's actually more expensive to execute someone than it is to leave them in prison for life with no chance of parole. Here is a statement from Richard Dieter, the Director of the Death Penalty Information Center.

"The death penalty is the most expensive part of the system on a per-offender basis. Millions are spent to achieve a single death sentence that, even if imposed, is unlikely to be carried out. Thus money that the police desperately need for more effective law enforcement may be wasted on the death penalty… The principal reason why the death penalty is so expensive can be summed up in one phrase: ‘death is different…' Every stage of a capital case is more time-consuming and expensive than in a typical criminal case. Jury selection takes much longer; more mental health and forensic experts will be needed; two trials will be required - one for guilt and one for sentencing; and the appeals will be far more complex, focusing on both the conviction and the death sentence. Two attorneys are usually appointed for the defense, so that issues of guilt and sentencing can be separately explored. The prosecution has to respond with equal or greater resources since they have the burden of proof...There is no reason the death penalty should be immune from reconsideration, along with other wasteful, expensive programs that no longer make sense."

In addition to this some costs of the convicted's defense and appeals fees can be offset if they are forced to work for life. I have no problem sending violent criminals to work.

Anyway, I do appreciate your civility (SK and k2 both) and understand where you are coming from. I just have this firm belief that state sponsored murder sets a bad example for all of society. You should check comparisons for crime rates between the US and nations that do not have capital punishment. I understand correlation is not causation, but it's worth considering and studying further in this instance.

reply to post by TinkerHaus


I appreciate your understanding too. I was a little emotional when I said "fry them and be done with it"....that was just in the heat of the moment. But it is such a difficult subject. We all have strong feelings about it. I wish things were not so bad we even have to discuss it or have to deal with it, you know? Everyone has the right to their opinion, and I respect yours, and other's thoughts on it. Even when we disagree, it is important to be able to talk about it without arguing. All opinions are valuable. It is a very serious subject and should be discussed with both points of view. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!