I am not morally opposed to the death penalty. I'm opposed to the way it's implemented in this country. I'd have a much better opinion of it if they executed a few rich white guys. I also think there should be national standards for the degree of severity of crime that is eligible for the death penalty. It needs to be a premeditated crime of a horrific nature or a series of killings that show that the killer has no concern for human life.

I am Ginger. I am actually only against the death penalty because of the possibility of a miscarriage of justice in our system. But I don't actually value all human life so much that I don't think it might be a better option to execute Ted Bundy or Charles Manson.

It's my understanding that the warrant could be withdrawn by the District Attorney, but that the Parole Board is done and that there are no avenues of appeal to the US Supreme Court.

I'm not against the death penalty when it comes to someone like Ted Bundy. I want to say, "And Charles Manson and Jeffrey Dahmer," but then I think, where do you draw the line between mental illness and simple evil? I hate the money the state of California has spent housing and feeding Manson all these years, but how guilty is he if he's mentally ill?

The people he persuaded to join him are a different story, though.

What needs to be addressed is proof in all cases, and some more regulated standards when reviewing a case for the death penalty.

Didn't Charles Manson's sentence get commuted to life in prison without possibility of parole?

No, Charlie gets a parole hearing every few years. Which will never be granted, but gets him media attention.

I have done absolutely no research on this, but I've maybe read an article at some point - isn't it true that there's been research showing that executing someone is more expensive than keeping them in prison for life? I would guess because of appeal costs, maybe? Anyone know whether this has a basis in reality, or is it just one of those things people say?

Ah, OK, so yeah just a life sentence then. Which I only say because it frustrates me that someone who is often presented as the poster child for execution will never be executed. Not that I want to see him executed, just that I feel the example underlines the disparity between how most people view the death penalty and how it is actually enforced.

No, it's true. [link]

isn't it true that there's been research showing that executing someone is more expensive than keeping them in prison for life?

Yeah, it's hugely more expensive to execute someone than keep them in prison for 50-70 years.