So there are ups and downs about being home. One up is that I am now really connected to information. I guess people have the choice of what information they want. I was flipping through the channels the other day and found the gem Bridalplasty. Yes, it’s just as bad as it sounds. Women compete for plastic surgery before their wedding. There are redeeming things on TV though. If you have never watched it before, I would highly suggest PBS’s Frontline. It’s a great hour-long documentary series about all different topics. This week’s episode was about Todd Willingham who was executed by the state of Texas. Days before his execution new evidence came forth that proved his innocence. He was executed anyway. This caused quite a stir in Texas for a few days but eventually went away just like many other injustices.
I don’t know if other people felt the same way but when you see or read about such injustice it makes you want to cry out. This man lost all 3 of his little girls to this fire and then is wrongfully accused and killed by the state. It’s really hard to take. A question still remains for me though. Why do we have the death penalty? Seriously? Why do we have the death penalty? When did we feel it was our right as human beings to take others lives? I’m not even going to go into the religious part of the death penalty but does it not just seem wrong to you? If you’re hardcore about eye for an eye justice, does it make you happy? Research has shown that by having the death penalty does nothing to deter someone from commiting a crime. Could you be a person who financially thinks the death penalty saves money? It doesn’t, it’s much more expensive to execute someone than to jail them for life. Reducing the number of people in jails (this is a really great article, I would suggest it)? We have over 2 million people in jails in America, execution is a drop in the bucket compared to number of people in jail. The victims? This is tough but we must be bigger than those who do wrong, there is a time to turn the other cheek.
"We no longer have a choice my friends, between violence and nonviolence. It's either nonviolence or nonexistence." MLK Jr.
I just don’t know why we still have the death penalty. It seems unnecessarily ruthless and wrong. If you feel this way, please do something about it.
Much is already being done. Over the last few years, the amount of executions nationwide has gone down. We went from 56 in 2009 to 48 in 2010, these are good trends. Let’s keep the momentum going.
I’m struggling to find a good website to get people started on ways to speak out about the death penalty but here is a start.
http://www.amnesty.org/en/death-penalty
Your wrongly presume that PBS gave you the full story.
ReplyDelete"Cameron Todd Willingham: Another Media Meltdown", A Collection of Articles
http://homicidesurvivors.com/categories/Cameron%20Todd%20Willingham.aspx
see all of my comments on the PBS Frontline blog in relation to this show.
Sadly, very common
3) "The Innocent Executed: Deception & Death Penalty Opponents"
http://homicidesurvivors.com/2009/10/08/the-innocent-executed-deception--death-penalty-opponents--draft.aspx
4) The 130 (now 139) death row "innocents" scam
http://homicidesurvivors.com/2009/03/04/fact-checking-issues-on-innocence-and-the-death-penalty.aspx
Just as
ReplyDeleteBased upon the evidence presented in this last hearing, it was clear the court would rule against Davis. This shouldn't have come as a surprise to anyone that knew the facts of the case.
Anti death penalty folks, were, of course, fed a bunch of nonsense by their leadership and they simply accepted it.
As I wrote 6/25/10
Innocence claims will offer no reprieve for Troy Davis
Based upon the media reports, alone, of the two day hearing of June 2010, just as I suspect Davis' attorneys have known all along, the appellate case cannot prevail in overturning the findings that Troy Davis is guilty of the murder of Police Officer Mark Allen MacPhail.
What happened in the two day hearing was very ordinary, if you are aware of anti death penalty nonsense. (1)
Sylvester "Redd" Coles' "Confessions"
The blockbuster witnesses who were going to testify that the "real murderer" Sylvester "Redd" Coles had confessed to them were not allowed to testify, because Davis' attorneys refused to call Coles to testify, thereby rendering these witnesses in possession of hearsay evidence and, therefore, not able to testify.
Well, Judge Moore did allow, wrongly, one of them, Anthony Hargrove, to testify. The judge "said that unless Coles is called to the stand, he might give (Hargrove's) hearsay testimony "no weight whatsoever."
Of course, Davis' attorneys didn't call Coles. Davis' attorneys made sure Hargrove's testimony as well as the other "confession" witnesses will have no weight.
This will become part of the anti death penalty PR machine - the anti death penalty folks will blame the system for not allowing the "truth" to come out, by muzzling these witnesses, even though Davis' attorneys had to do this intentionally, knowing that the witnesses couldn't be heard, because of the hearsay rule.
The defense couldn't call Coles, because he would have been a strong witness to rebut his alleged confessions, therefore making things worse for Davis. I seems obvious that the defense made a statement as to how fragile and unreliable these "confession" witnesses were that Davis' attorneys refused to call Coles.
Hargrove being wrongly allowed to testify must have been a surprise.
contd
contd 1
ReplyDelete"Recantation" Witnesses
The additional problem for Davis is this: There are solid witnesses against Davis who did not recant.
The recantation witnesses claims that the police pressured or threatened them into falsely testifying make no sense.
First, there were enough witnesses against Davis - the state had a solid case - therefore there was no reason to put lying witnesses on the stand. Even if we presume that some were pressured and threatened into false statements, both police and prosecutors knew, before trial, that they need not risk putting any such perjuring witnesses on the stand. They had enough evidence without them.
Why risk perjured testimony when you don't need it? They wouldn't have.
Secondly, the non recantation witnesses, the police investigators, and prosecutors have been consistent from the beginning of the case - those witnesses haven't recanted, and police and prosecutors have testified that there were no threats or pressure for false testimony and those consistent, non recanting witnesses gave truthful statements without pressure or threats.
Thirdly, there is no evidence that the investigating officers or the prosecutors had ever been involved in such illegal activities before and the non recantation witnesses give more weight to the position that police and prosecutors did not pressure or threaten for false testimony and to the proposition that the recantations were the lies.
Judges are very aware of false testimony and how pressure can be applied to produce it, by community activists, such as anti death penalty folks.
Judges are aware that pressure is a two sided coin and they must consider both sides of it and how that may effect credibility. In a case such as this, the evidence is such that Davis cannot prevail.
Credibility - this says it all.
"(Troy) Davis' legal team also summoned Benjamin Gordon, who testified that he saw Sylvester "Redd" Coles shoot and kill the officer." (2)
Gordon, who is incarcerated and has at least six prior felony convictions, said he never came forward because he did not trust the police and feared what Coles might do to him or his family in retaliation.
"Is there any doubt in your mind that Redd Coles fired that shot?" Horton asked. "No, sir," Gordon replied.
Davis' legal team has long maintained that Coles, who was at the scene and came forward after (Police Officer) MacPhail's slaying and implicated Davis to police, was the actual triggerman. Coles has denied shooting MacPhail.
Beth Attaway Burton, the state's lead attorney, got Gordon to acknowledge he never said he saw Coles shoot MacPhail in interviews with police "or in sworn statements he gave Davis' legal team in 2003 and 2008."
"What made you change your story today?" Burton asked.
"It's the truth," Gordon said. "
I think the judge will have to weigh Gordon's credibility similarly to that of Davis' other supportive witnesses - ZERO.
-----------------------------
Note: We will hear protests that Davis' attorneys tried to subpoena Coles the day before the hearing, but couldn't locate him. The judge didn't buy it saying that there was no excuse based upon them having much time to prepare for the hearing. It's clear they didn't want Coles. When Davis loses this appeal, he will then appeal to a higher court, which will uphold the denial.
contd 1
contd 2
ReplyDelete(1) 3 of many
"The Innocent Executed: Deception & Death Penalty Opponents"
http(COLON)//homicidesurvivors.com/2009/10/08/the-innocent-executed-deception--death-penalty-opponents--draft.aspx
The 130 (now 139) death row "innocents" scam
http(COLON)//homicidesurvivors.com/2009/03/04/fact-checking-issues-on-innocence-and-the-death-penalty.aspx
"Cameron Todd Willingham: Another Media Meltdown", A Collection of Articles
http(COLON)//homicidesurvivors.com/categories/Cameron%20Todd%20Willingham.aspx
(2) All quotes from this article:
"Witnesses back off testimony against Troy Davis", The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, June 23, 2010 www(DOT)ajc.com/news/atlanta/witnesses-back-off-testimony-555778.html?cxntlid=daylf_artr
Other references:
Troy Davis: Both sides need to be told
Dudley Sharp, contact info below
Anyone interested in justice will demand a fair, thorough look at both sides of this or any case. Here is the side that the pro Troy Davis faction is, intentionally, not presenting.
(1) Davis v Georgia, Georgia Supreme Court, 3/17/08
Full ruling www(DOT)gasupreme.us/pdf/s07a1758.pdf
Summary www(DOT)gasupreme.us/op_summaries/mar_17.pdf
" . . . the majority finds that 'most of the witnesses to the crime who have allegedly recanted have merely stated that they now do not feel able to identify the shooter.' "One of the affidavits 'might actually be read so as to confirm trial testimony that Davis was the shooter.' "
The murder occurred in 1989.
(2) "THE PAROLE BOARD'S CONSIDERATION OF THE TROY ANTHONY DAVIS CASE" , 9/22/08, www(DOT)pap.state.ga.us/opencms/opencms/
"After an exhaustive review of all available information regarding the Troy Davis case and after considering all possible reasons for granting clemency, the Board has determined that clemency is not warranted."
"The Board has now spent more than a year studying and considering this case. As a part of its proceedings, the Board gave Davisâ?? attorneys an opportunity to present every witness they desired to support their allegation that there is doubt as to Davisâ?? guilt. The Board heard each of these witnesses and questioned them closely. In addition, the Board has studied the voluminous trial transcript, the police investigation report and the initial statements of all witnesses. The Board has also had certain physical evidence retested and Davis interviewed."
(3) A detailed review of the extraordinary consideration that Davis was given for all of his claims,
by Chatham County District Attorney Spencer Lawton http(COLON)//tinyurl.com/46c73l
Troy Davis' claims are undermined, revealing the dishonesty of the Davis advocates . Look, particularly, at pages 4-7, which show the reasoned, thoughtful and generous reviews of Davis' claims, as well a how despicable the one sided cynical pro Troy Davis effort is.
(4) Officer Mark Allen MacPhail: The family of murdered Officer MacPhail fully believes that Troy Davis murdered their loved one and that the evidence is supportive of that opinion. www(DOT)fop9.net/markmacphail/debunkingthemyths.cfm
Not simply an emotional and understandable plea for justice, but a detailed factual review of the case.
(5) "Death and Dying", by Cliff Green, LIKE THE DEW, 7/22/09,
http(COLON)//likethedew.com/2009/07/22/death-and-dying/
A few more pieces of the puzzle.
ReplyDeleteOf all human endeavors that put innocents at risk, is there one with a better record of sparing innocent lives than the US death penalty?Unlikely.
1) "The Death Penalty: More Protection for Innocents"
http://homicidesurvivors.com/2009/07/05/the-death-penalty-more-protection-for-innocents.aspx
2) Opponents in capital punishment have blood on their hands, Dennis Prager, 11/29/05, http://townhall.com/columnists/DennisPrager/2005/11/29/opponents_in_capital_punishment_have_blood_on_their_hands
The false innocence claims by anti death penalty activists are legendary. Some examples:
5) "A Death Penalty Red Herring: The Inanity and Hypocrisy of Perfection", Lester Jackson Ph.D.,
http://www.tcsdaily.com/article.aspx?id=102909A
6) Sister Helen Prejean & the death penalty: A Critical Review"
http://homicidesurvivors.com/2009/05/04/sister-helen-prejean--the-death-penalty-a-critical-review.aspx
7) "At the Death House Door" Can Rev. Carroll Pickett be trusted?"
http://homicidesurvivors.com/2009/01/30/fact-checking-is-very-welcome.aspx
8) "Cameron Todd Willingham: Another Media Meltdown", A Collection of Articles
http://homicidesurvivors.com/categories/Cameron%20Todd%20Willingham.aspx
Wow! Dudley, that you for responding. I see that you have spend much more time studying the death penalty than the one simple post that I have made here. I agree with you on some accounts but I also have some questions if you don't mind answering.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that it is necessary that we have the death penalty? That we must match violence with violence to create peace and keep people safe? I see there is conflicting information about whether and what the size is of the death penalty as a deterrent. That the death penalty is necessary over life in prison?
This question is actually one that is being debated now and could have the biggest impact regardless of either of our opinions. In your innocence on death row piece you claim that there are enough procedural regulation to make sure the person being executed is guilty. This costs a ton of money though. Those looking to cut costs could cut the death penalty not as a moral issue but as a cost issue. How do you feel about that?
What would you say to almost all the other democracies that have banned the death penalty and what makes the US different?
I think justice is required, therefore I think the death penalty is required.
ReplyDeleteViolence is often required, in a just war, self defense and in impoising justice.
There is very conflicting evidence and opinion on deterrence.
However, so far, it is undisputed that all prospects of a negative outcome deter some and that execution is the most severe negative outcome as a criminal sanction.
I think have both the death penalty and LWOP is a benefit. They are totally different sanctions.
I think that the costs do matter.
ReplyDeleteDeath Penalty Costs
Dudley Sharp, contact info below
It is crucial to check the claims and methodology of the death penalty cost studies. Often they are either very deceptive or inaccurate. Also, too, are the studies which compare the costs of the death penalty vs life without parole. Instead of an apples to apples comparison, we often find a kangaroos to apples comparison..
1) See 4th comment down within comments:
The California Death Penalty Fraud:
Posted by dudleysharp on August 19, 2010 at 4:35 AM | Report this comment
Rebuttal to ACLU:
and A Rebuttal to "Cut This: The Death Penalty"(1)
Death Penalty vs Life Costs in California
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/ebx/are-capital-punishments-financial-costs-worth-it/Content?oid=2003765
2) "Death Penalty Cost Studies: Saving Costs over LWOP"
http://homicidesurvivors.com/2010/03/21/death-penalty-cost-studies-saving-costs-over-lwop.aspx
3) "Duke (North Carolina) Death Penalty Cost Study: Let's be honest"
http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2009/06/duke-north-carolina-death-penalty-cost.html
(NOTE: A 2009 study, by one of these authors, found that by ending the death penalty NC might save $11 million , or about 1 penny ever third day/person. I have not read it, yet, but based upon this professors prior study, reviewed here, the death penalty likely saves money.)
4) Cost Savings: The Death Penalty
http://homicidesurvivors.com/2009/05/07/cost-savings-the-death-penalty.aspx
What are the costs of not having the death penalty?
"The Death Penalty: More Protection for Innocents"
http://homicidesurvivors.com/2009/07/05/the-death-penalty-more-protection-for-innocents.aspx
As I think that the death penalty is just and also saves innocent lives, I would tell all countries they should have it, just as their citizens do.
ReplyDelete"Death Penalty Support Remains Very High: USA & The World"
http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2009/07/death-penalty-polls-support-remains.html
Again, Dudley, thank you for sharing. I appreciate your insight. To make this a bit personal, which I think is fair considering most of what you have brought to the table stems from your own website, I think it's ok. I've recently returned from living in Rwanda for an extended period of time. I have seen the success of another way. Rwanda had a horrible genocide 16 years ago and instead of just war justice they chose peace and reconciliation. This has been tremendously successful. I know you have research suggesting that the death penalty will stop violence but I cannot believe that if we legitimately swung towards peace our crime rates would go down. As we search for answers after the assassination attempt of an American Congresswoman, I think we must embrace peace as justice not the taking of anthers life.
ReplyDeleteOn this day I would like to the man we are celebrating, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction ... The chain reaction of evil - hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars - must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation." MLK Jr.
Justice is not darkness. It is light. Execution is not hate, but justice.
ReplyDeleteNon violence sometimes works and sometimes it doesn't.
Incarcerating criminals against their will is violence. We forcibly detail them, with the threat of violence if they attempt to escape, as well as delivery of violence to them when they do try.
Did MLK not want bad folks incarcerated?
1) Saint Augustine: " . . . inflicting capital punishment . . . protects those who are undergoing capital punishment from the harm they may suffer . . . through increased sinning which might continue if their life went on." (On the Lord's Sermon, 1.20.63-64.)
2) Mercy, detached from Justice, grows unmerciful.-- CS Lewis
3) Saint Thomas Aquinas: . . . the death inflicted by the judge profits the sinner, if he be converted, unto the expiation of his crime; and, if he be not converted, it profits so as to put an end to the sin, because the sinner is thus deprived of the power to sin anymore." (Summa Theologica, II-II, 25, 6, 2
4) “. . . a secondary measure of the love of God may be said to appear. For capital punishment provides the murderer with incentive to repentance which the ordinary man does not have, that is a definite date on which he is to meet his God. It is as if God thus providentially granted him a special inducement to repentance out of consideration of the enormity of his crime . . . the law grants to the condemned an opportunity which he did not grant to his victim, the opportunity to prepare to meet his God. Even divine justice here may be said to be tempered with mercy.” Quaker biblical scholar Dr. Gervas A. Carey (1) (p. 116).
MLK is one of my heroes. We don't agree on everything.