Read the story at the following link:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/11/08/child.charged.ap/index.html
Should the death penalty be legal? Please explain your rationale. How does American society deal with kids who kill?
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I have always been against death penalty. I definitally am against it being legal. An eye for an eye and the whole world goes blind. I think making a person stay locked up in prison is the way that killers should be punished. Regardless of what people may say, the United States is based around Christainity. One of the ten commendments says "thou shall not kill", it goes everyway. I personally don't believe in God but I have this same value.
Americans always take shock to kids who kill. It's not ordinary. It's not something an 8 year old kid would do. But trying to try him as an adult is redicuolous. It has been proven that an average human brain's hormones are not completely stable until about the age of 21. Thats 3 years shy of triple the boys age. At 8 years old, people do know right from wrong, but i don't think were completely understood the consequences. To try this 8 year old boy as an adult is an obscure idea. Maybe he has mental problem, I am not sure. As i read this article, though, I did not see anything saying anything about a mental disorder. It's not this kids fault if he ws born like that.
I dont believe the death penalty should be legal. It dont understand the concept. If it is so horribly wrong to kill someone then what right do we have to kill this person? It seems very contradicting to me. I also believe that the US prison system is too nice. I dont think we should mistreat prisoners but I do feel they should have as many rights to education and they need less opportunities for probation. I just dont understand how the US can feel justified for taking someones life.
I dont think the 8 year old boy should be tried as an adult. The police should send him to a mental institution to be throughly tested for any psychological disorders. He should then be sent to a detention center. I dont know how it is even possible to try an 8 year old as an adult. They clearly dont hold the same maturity levels as someone who is 18. Mental abuse can also be a cause. Most people dont call authorities if they are verbally beaten. Its usually physical abuse that gets the authorities attention.
I am personally for capital punishment, however it is simply not practical. The costs associated with killing a murdering bastard, which include drawn out court cases, state sponsored lawyers, and extended stays in the Hilton County Jail create an unrealistic cost for capital punishment. I was not able to view the video because the link was exterminated from the site but i would assume that children are admitted to a psych ward or something so that the state can spend more money on murdering bastards. My point is, that if you kill someone you should deserve to be punished. Capital punishment is an effective control tool, i mean i don't want to be hanged or injected with poison, shoot. As i previously stated, if the death penalty was a more practical way of dealing with a murdering bastard then i would support it 100%
lol "bastard"?
why did the video have really interesting stuff that the article didnt have?
idk i always did like that saying ashley referenced, i think it was gandhis, bc the Christian doctrine of and eye for an eye seems irrational
and murdering someone is a big deal so its hard to sympathize with a murderer generally but maybe justice as in giving one his/her due can only be achieved by giving one his/her due only-- no more no less
the death penalty is pure retribution w/o rehabilitation
but like travis says there's also deterrence
so maybe it's a question of the nature of punishment- is it pay back, reform of the criminal, or incentive to avoid crime for non-criminals? murder being a "big deal" as i said i see why rehabilitation can seem impossible..
so i really dont know
but maybe theres no point of paying someone back unless it's going to teach them a lesson, which would be part of rehabilitation right?
so maybe the death penalty isnt punishment so much as ending the criminal's existence
im confusing myself
I feel that the death penalty should be legal. This is because its an insentive not to kill others, and if the person killing others is mentally instable then that person should be removed from society. Im do not know much about how american society deals with kids who kill, however i do know that many people will say that there was a mental imbalence or ailment that led to the murder.
i am against the death penalty. i feel certain crimes warrant the death penalty, but its very expensive like Travis said, and your chances of getting the death penalty greatly increase if you are a minority so i think it is somewhat racist.
i think american society react with great shock and amazement when they hear a story like this.
I do not believe that the death penalty should be legal. I do not think we should take anyone’s life unless it is absolutely necessary which in this case it is not. We can sentence people to life in prison but I don’t think we have any right to kill criminals.
When children kill, American society is shocked. The fact that children, who are usually perceived as innocent, can take someone’s life is mind blowing. In this situation, the fact that he may be tried as an adult is nothing short of absurd. An eight year old has nowhere near the maturity level of a full grown adult so he should not be tried as such. I believe this child, if found guilty, should be evaluated mentally and held in a juvenile detention center. However, if you watch the video associated with the article, they say that there was no physical proof of the murders convicting the child. That fact might mean there is more to this case than meets the eye.
I do not think that the death penalty should be legal. Everyone thinks that a person should die because they took another persons life. Has anyone ever thought that maybe the person who killed someone wanted to die? Maybe there plan was to kill someone so that they could get the death penalty. Instead they should be locked up in jail for the rest of their lives having to live with what they have done.
When a kid kills I think that America gets confused. It could have been an accident and maybe they did it on purpose. They could have been mentally ill or they could have been forced to do it. You also have to account for the child's age. They could have been a teenager planing on killing someone or six years old not knowing what they are doing.
I don't think America knows how do deal with a child murdering. There are sometimes just to many factors.
I think the dath penalty should be legal because some crimes are so jaw droppingly terrible that the person that did it is so demented that they deserve to lose their life. But I think the evidence against you has to be overwhemling and their can't be any doubt in anyones mind that you did whatever you did. That is probably the main flaw in the whole system, What if you kill someone for a crime and then you kill them; then to only find out 5 later that they didn't really commit the crime. What are you gonna do there? you can't really do anything about that.
About kids that kill I think that no child should be put to death just for the fact that we don't know if children can really wrap there minds around someone being dead. If a child were to kill someone idk how to punish them exactly, maybe counsling or something along those lines. And I think their garduin should have the majority of the blame. I mean untill their child is 18 the parents are responsible for their childs actions in most situations.
I would say I'm for the death penalty for certain extreme situations. Perhaps someone accidentally killed a person, and then that someone was given a death sentence. First of all, even though he may have been negligent, he still doesn't deserve to die. Now, say someone is a serial killer and has murdered 10 people. I think he should be executed. He's murdered 10 people. He obviously felt no remorse over the first couple murders, he just kept on going. He showed no regard for life. And I also agree with Hillary about the niceness of the prison system. It's almost like a reward for the prisoners. They shouldn't have all those opportunities. A person's rights are terminated as soon as their actions encroach upon someone else's.
And I agree with Cynthia about the dealing of american society. I believe they see kids as too innocent to do anything mean. And since murder is quite horrible, adults become confused and flabergasted.
No, no, no, no, no. Absolutely not, under any circumstances should the death penalty be legal. Where does anybody get off thinking it's okay to justify killing, by killing?! Not only is it more expensive to kill someone (after court costs, lawyer bills, etc) than to hold someone in jail, but wouldn't it be harder to live 30-some years alive than to just die thinking they were right, hm? Ps- Travis, too much repetition. You used "murdering bastard" three times. Find a new adjective.
Anyway, back to the point. Hillary knows what's up and the link wasn't accessible, but I really don't believe the kid should be tried as an adult. He just needs serious therapy.
I feel that the death penalty should be legal and is fair. The criminals who are tried for the death penalty have obviously been charged and found guilty of a crime such as murder. In my mind if a murderer has rationalized the killing of an innocent human, why can't the punishment be death. A family now has to deal with the fact that a loved one was taken from them, but also has to cope with the fact that the murderer or one responsible is alive and gets to keep living. Why should a murderer get to survive and rot away in a prison when they have taken the life of another human. Why should the taxpayers of America have to pay for a guilty murderer, who will most likely die in prison. Why should taxpayers foot the bill of a guilty murderer who will spend life terms or consecutive life sentences. These people who have no chance for parole or release. This is expensive and wrong. I don't think that a murderer should get to live while the victim's life is cut short. The death penalty a very controversial issue, but is one that I feel has a clear answer.
In the case of this 8 year old boy, I don't think he should be tried as an adult. His is a child who may have gone through much more than we know. He is not old enough to be tried as an adult. I do feel he should be punished to the full extent of the law, but not as an adult. The American public is shocked and amazed by a story of a small child committing such a violent crime.
While the Death Penalty is incredibly impratical because of the expense, I think we should still have the death penalty. We have a enough money to research crickets, but not to get rid of a murder.
First of all the Comandment is "Thou shall not murder". Murder is not the same as kill. Murder is the crime of unlawfully killing someone with malice afterthought. While killing is to cause death. The commandment says I can't kill someone unlawfully with malice afterthought. The Death Penalty isn't unlawful and don't thing there is much malice afterthought involved. Therfore the commandment does not prohibit me causing death. If the commandment meant do not kill then the Hebrews wouldn't have been allowed to kill the Philistines and other surrounding tribes in the Old Testement.
The eye for an eye leaves everyone blind is completely irrational. For example. I poke your eye out and then I poke your eye out. Then you don't poke my other eye out because you would rather not be blind. It is actually a deterince. Then I imagine if we poked both our eyes out, it would be impossible to commit crime because were both blind. Hence the crime rate would go down.
I couldn't get to the article, but I would have to say we shouldn't try the kid as an adult. But we should lock the kid away in a mental instution for a very long time or at least until we know he's cured.
Nice one with the cricket research Alex. :)
I hate the death penalty question. I'm very conflicted on this subject, especially with a child. I think the attorney on the phone was absolutely right though, it's all about evidence. You have to delve so deep into this sort of crime. Like Cynthia said, you have to look at the age and the mentality of the accused.
I don't think America knows what to do about children who kill. I mean, some of them feel sorry for the kid, others wonder where the parents were, others believe he should be punished because of the crime in general, and some think that he might not even be involved. How do you decide what to do with a child? You can't really understand what they are thinking because no one believes that they are competent enough for this brutality, or much else really at 8 years of age. I think Americans need to accept it though and deal with the child as a minor. I know the crime he is charged of was absolutely terrible, but if you're looking at age he needs to be dealt with as a minor. Just because what he did was terrible doesn't mean you can charge him and treat him like an adult.
Hmm, the death penalty. I've decided on my opinion. I think people should just rot in solitary confinement for life (does that sound too harsh?). Depending on the crime, they might even be killed by other prisoners.
I guess I forgot to answer the question on American Society, so I'll do that now. I don't think America much cares anymore. Is it just me or do crimes seem to get worse and worse everytime we hear about them. This is just another instance of crimes escalating. We're so used to this kind of horrible stuff, that it doesn't even phase me anymore. America is to desensitized and used to horrible crimes that I doesn't even phase us anymore.
I believe the death penalty is technically unconstitutional, even though it's practiced by many states. The government's not allowed to take away our rights, so they shouldn't be able to take away our right to life, but incarceration is still taking away liberty, so the whole justice system seems inherently unjust. Even so, I'm not really against the death penalty, since it is more economical and more logical than keeping somebody locked up for life, since there's no hope for him/her. The one problem with the current system is that people on death row never seem to get executed until after a drawn-out, generally futile appeal process. If they're going to punish people by death they should give them 1 year to make a new case, then give them 1 appeal, then hang'em, or shock'em, or poison'em or whatever the next day if they fail to convince the court. In short, it is morally wrong but incarceration should be unconstitutional under the first ammendment, but we still have to have a way to punish criminals. Capital punishment needs more refinement but it still is more economical and sensible than imprisoning somebody for life.
As far as the kid goes, he shouldn't be tried as an adult but he should at least go to juvi for a few years and get tried again later to see if he understands why it's wrong to shoot people.
I am not for the intentional killing of people. I do agree with Jesse that those who accidently kill someone should not get the death penalty. I can understand what some may feel, that someone who has killed many people should be killed (as Jesse was saying referencing a serial killer) but I don't agree. I do not think the death penalty should be illegal.
One of these reasons does sort of sprout from the fact that I am a Christian and that one of the commandments is "thou shalt not kill" (as ashley was saying). But also, I don't think it should be right to kill a person! I mean it wasn't justified for a murderer to murder in the first place, so where are we going with killing also? I just can't imagine intentionally killing someone, whether from the murderer or law's point of view.
I would rather the murders be kept in prison for life; I think that would make them suffer more. When you are dead, you are dead. When you are in prison, you are suffereing. My afterlife beliefs aside, no one knows what really happens when you die. Killing a murderer kind of seems like letting them off the hook, (especially if they pray for forgiveness and get to go to Heaven anyways) I would rather the prisoner suffer as he/she made the family of the one murdered suffer; I say keep them in prison for life. That is a harsher punishment in my eyes.
The eight year old boy should not be tried as an adult...that is ridiculous. According to the story, it is not even proven that he did in fact murder his father and father's work collegue. He is only 8 years old! I am not sure how society deals with kids who kill, but it should definately not be in this way. Kids getting tried as adults? Our brains aren't even fully developed until we are around 20 (I think)...I can see a teenager being tried as an adult more than an 8 year old! that is just crazy! I agree with all of those who say that some mental-type of investigation should be conducted...but certainly not to try the boy as an adult..
Ashley, I quite agree. I am against the death penalty as well. I'm not sure that locking killers up is the best answer though. They've killed and death comes to killers quickly. I feel that it's better to kill them by use of the death penalty than allow for some one else to avenge the person killed.
American are shocked when a child kills. It's not normal and usually has to do with a mental disorder. The best thing for a child who kills is a detention center where they can work out the problem and get treatment for it.
Mr. Tomashot would you please post a new question?
I personally believe in the death penalty, but I do agree with some of the comments on here in the fact that it is impractical.
First off, it is very expensive. But it is also very expensive to keep a person in jail for life.
Secondly, people who are put on death row are usually on there for a while (i.e. the man who's been on death row for 20 years).
But yeah, I don't think it's right for some serial killer to be in jail, still living, while his victims' families deal with the loss. I don't believe that our taxpayer dollars should go to feeding him, or something.
I also very much agree with Weiffenbach (and most of the other commenters) in that the boy should not be tried as an adult, but he should be punished to the full extent of the law that is appropriate for an 8-year-old boy to go through.
What's the matter Danner? All fired up for more? OK...new question coming up!
Alrighty death penaltyyy. (Btw, the article is gone)
Hopefully no one flips a shit on me.
I'm against the death penalty. I feel like death qualifies as "cruel and unusual punishment." I understand that people feel it's their "revenge" but honestly, I know there are screwed up people out there but I can't imagine wanting someone to die. The death penalty shouldn't be legal. The process of sentencing someone to death added to the cost of the injection is far more expensive than a meager life in prison.
As I said I couldn't get the link for the article to work but I think I got the gist of it from everyone else's comments. Children have no idea what they're doing. And if they do, they must have some sort of problem which would not be their fault. The kid would need help not the stress of a lawsuit which in turn would most likely just cause them to be more unbalanced.
Mr. Tomashot, this link is not taking me to the article. the CNN web site said the page cannot be found. I guess i have to go off of the comments of others. I personally believe in the death penalty. Yes, some people said its expensive to put someone to death, but it costs more to keep a prisoner alive for a life sentence. Plus, if a prisoner is locked up for life, they have a slight chance to escape and kill more people. I know that violence is not always the answer, but the death penalty is only used in extreme cases when a person took the life of another, generally. I think the bible also says that if a person takes the life of another, then that person must die or be killed...but then there is the ten commandments so leave the decision to a jury. the choice to end someone's life is never easy but if the killer ever gets the chance for parole, then they could kill again. Also, i think a prisoner would rather die than rot in a prison for life, getting raped in the shower and beat up by prison gangs. People have no problem at all putting a pit bull to sleep after it mauls a toddler playing in the yard, but go nuts when you talk about putting a killer human to sleep. In my opinion, a killer has the mind of an animal and should be treated as such. Ok, so i get from other people that an eight year old killed people. this is unacceptable and i think the death penalty is ok to be used in this case if the child confesses to his crime. An eight year old should know better anyways. My four year old cousin knows better for crying out loud. Would you rather have him locked up for life? Once a killer, always a killer. He knew what he was doing and thought about it for a while. This kid needs to go! lol
I think the death penalty should be legal. If you think about it, If an animal in a zoo does something wrong like bite a child, they are "put to sleep". Its the same concept but only without the imprisonment before the wrongful act.
I think that the death penalty should be legal. Although I am aware of the commandment " thou shall not kill" i think that the death penalty is fair punishment for those who commit the crime. The death penalty is well known within our society. Those adults who are conscience of the consequences of murder but commit the crime anyway should be punished. Life imprisonment is very expensive. Why should we pay for someone to live a life in prison? If an 18 year old commits a crime and is sentenced to live in prison...whats the difference of him slowly dying naturally and being killed immediately? The price to keep him alive is not worth it. I think that his life should be traded for causing many grievances by taking a potentially innocent life. Besides the cost, there is not enough space for every single criminal. By not killing someone who is sentenced to life in prison, we are not protecting our society by eliminating all of the criminals who wander the streets everyday.
the death penalty should be legal because if someone does something bad enough to deserve the death penalty (AKA murder) then they should be killed as well. i don't think it matters how expensive the death penalty is, just as long as we keep the population safe from murderers.
kids usually don't get the death penalty and we usually just lock them up in juvenile detention.
I think the death penalty should be legal. But, there are conflicting views on the subject. I believe if a person takes someones life, then their life should be taken as punishment. Usually when minors kill someone they are held in a juvenile detention center until they are 18.Then they are tried as an adult, and sentenced.
i tried going to the site for the article and its not longer up, but anyways... i believe that the death penalty should be legal. i agree with ideal of " a life for a life". i like how now-a-days a person on death row can have a choice, even if nota large one, on how they will die. its a way of helping the family getting closure also. when kids kill, our society is usually in a state of shock when it happens. but sometimes they only get a life time in prison, unless the chargers are so large that they get the death penalty.
i can understand why many people would say that they are against the death penalty, and travis has a point on its practical-ness, but sometimes i think its the only way.
No article anymore, but I'll try my best.
I'm personally against the death penalty, though mostly for practical reasons. It's not really any more inhumane than locking someone up in a cell for their whole lives, but keeping people in death row is just a big hassle (and cost).
Our society can't really deal with kids that kill. It just confuses us, how can someone as innocent as a child be a cold blooded murderer? So we don't know what to do with them. You can't punish a kid too harshly, and you can't let a murderer run free. No matter what punishment the kid gets, a lot of people aren't going to be happy about it.
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