Is Shapiro Death Penalty Announcement a "Game Changer" ?

[protectionist]

On Feb. 16, dramatic change for Pennsylvania. Gov. Josh Shapiro announced that he would ask the state legislature to abolish capital punishment. He promised not to sign any execution warrants as governor, and to grant a reprieve to any inmate whose execution already is scheduled. This is a dramatic change for dramatic change for Pennsylvania. .

For a long time, Pennsylvania has been one of the top states for capital punishment executions, so this represents a significant change. Currently there are 101 inmates on Pennsylvania’s Department of Corrections death row.

Pennsylvania has become what political scientist Daniel Hopkins calls the “perennial battleground state.” It’s a central place to understand U.S. politics, Hopkins contends, because “the main currents in the nation are present here.”

In this context, Gov, Shapiro’s announcement is a strong signal for some, that it is "safe" for officials in other battleground states and in neighboring states like Ohio to oppose the death penalty.

Shapiro maintains that this is a right vs wrong, and that executing people is just wrong. There is also the long-time argument that there is risk in execution, that innocent people may be executed.

On the other hand, there is risk also that innocent people may be imprisoned for years or decades, but no one is calling for an end to imprisonment (at least not any sane people). Then there is also the risk (a gamble) that killers not executed, might kill again. A problem that can only be erased by execution.

Why Pennsylvania governor’s call to end state’s death penalty may be a game changer

Gov. Shapiro also signaled a change in the tenor of the arguments against the death penalty.

thehill.com

 

[theHawk]

Well that will certainly turn all of Pennsylvania into an even greater crime ridden shit hole.

 

[protectionist]

Well that will certainly turn all of Pennsylvania into an even greater crime ridden shit hole.

For some really degraded down-and-outers, prison isn't a bad deal. Free AC/heat housing, 3 square meals a day, all the medical/dental free, TV, computer, and no time clocks to punch.

Beats being homeless on the street in hot summer and freezing winter. And all they have to do is kill somebody.

 

[EvilCat Breath]

Give them life without the possibility of parole, then let them go. That's what they are doing in California.

California Convicted Triple-Murderer Freed From Life Sentence Under ‘Compassionate Release’

www.theepochtimes.com

 

[shockedcanadian]

I haven't read the latest data but I do recall resding that the presence of a death penalty was not a deterrent to those who commit capital murder. I've changed on this issue over time, we shouldn't play God even though there are henious stuations where anger clouds ones objectivity and the death penalty seems fitting.

 

[JoeB131]

On Feb. 16, dramatic change for Pennsylvania. Gov. Josh Shapiro announced that he would ask the state legislature to abolish capital punishment. He promised not to sign any execution warrants as governor, and to grant a reprieve to any inmate whose execution already is scheduled. This is a dramatic change for dramatic change for Pennsylvania. .

For a long time, Pennsylvania has been one of the top states for capital punishment executions, so this represents a significant change. Currently there are 101 inmates on Pennsylvania’s Department of Corrections death row.

Pennsylvania has become what political scientist Daniel Hopkins calls the “perennial battleground state.” It’s a central place to understand U.S. politics, Hopkins contends, because “the main currents in the nation are present here.”

In this context, Gov, Shapiro’s announcement is a strong signal for some, that it is "safe" for officials in other battleground states and in neighboring states like Ohio to oppose the death penalty.

Shapiro maintains that this is a right vs wrong, and that executing people is just wrong. There is also the long-time argument that there is risk in execution, that innocent people may be executed.

On the other hand, there is risk also that innocent people may be imprisoned for years or decades, but no one is calling for an end to imprisonment (at least not any sane people). Then there is also the risk (a gamble) that killers not executed, might kill again. A problem that can only be erased by execution.

Why Pennsylvania governor’s call to end state’s death penalty may be a game changer

Gov. Shapiro also signaled a change in the tenor of the arguments against the death penalty.

thehill.com

PA hasn't executed anyone since 1999 and has only executed three people since the DP was restored in 1976.

So it really isn't a top state for executions compared to Texas or Florida.

 

[CHAZBUKOWSKI]

Give them life without the possibility of parole, then let them go. That's what they are doing in California.

California Convicted Triple-Murderer Freed From Life Sentence Under ‘Compassionate Release’

www.theepochtimes.com

Depends on how much longer he has to live. If he going to die in the next couple of months, eff him, and let him out. Let him die in some flea-infested half-way house, as opposed to pumping more money into his care in prison. The risk, of course, is that he is not really that sick, and lives for years in freedom (like al-Magrahi)

 

[protectionist]

I haven't read the latest data but I do recall resding that the presence of a death penalty was not a deterrent to those who commit capital murder. I've changed on this issue over time, we shouldn't play God even though there are henious stuations where anger clouds ones objectivity and the death penalty seems fitting.

Fo those who say the death penalty is not a deterrent to commit murder, do they think the executed killer is going to rise up from his grave, and kill again ?

 

[protectionist]

Depends on how much longer he has to live. If he going to die in the next couple of months, eff him, and let him out. Let him die in some flea-infested half-way house, as opposed to pumping more money into his care in prison. The risk, of course, is that he is not really that sick, and lives for years in freedom (like al-Magrahi)

The "risk" is that if not executed,. the killer may kill again, outside or inside the prison.

 

[JoeB131]

Fo those who say the death penalty is not a deterrent to commit murder, do they think the executed killer is going to rise up from his grave, and kill again ?

Locking him up for life is an equal deterrent. And if you get it wrong, you can undo it.

The "risk" is that if not executed,. the killer may kill again, outside or inside the prison.

Unlikely they'll do it outside of prison if you lock them up for life.

Charles Manson, Richard Speck, William Heirens never committed another murder. They died in their prison cells.

 

[protectionist]

Lots of reasons why prison (instead of the death penalty) is a big RISK.

John McRae -- Michigan/Florida. Life for murder of 8-year-old boy. Pedophile. Paroled 1971.

Convicted of another murder of a boy after parole, in Michigan 1998.
Charges pending on 2 other counts in Florida.

 

[protectionist]

Timothy Hancock -- Serving a life sentence for a murder he committed in 1990, murdered his cellmate, Jason Wagner, in November 2000, while serving his life sentence.

Corey R. Barton -- In 1983 he murdered 16-year-old Shari-Ann Merton. He received 18 years in prison. He was released after serving 9 years and 8 months. In November 1998, he murdered 27 year-old Sally Harris of North Carolina.

Cuhuatemoc Hinricky Peraita -- Rainbow City, Alabama, who was serving life without parole for 3 murders in Gadsden, Alabama was found guilty of capital murder for murdering a fellow inmate.

 

[JoeB131]

Cuhuatemoc Hinricky Peraita -- Rainbow City, Alabama, who was serving life without parole for 3 murders in Gadsden, Alabama was found guilty of capital murder for murdering a fellow inmate.

And how is the death penalty going to prevent that? It seems to me that if you know you are going to be executed, you are going to take down as many people as you can before you go. Maybe even some of the guards.

If you are putting hundreds of thousands of people on death row, then you are going to need a lot more guards to control them, otherwise, why not take out a guard or two.

 

[protectionist]

In many cases, killers sentenced to life in prison, kill again inside the prison. Sometimes it is prison inmates, sometime guards, sometimes employees (cafeteria, maintenance, etc).

In the case of the fellow inmates, they are criminals serving time too, but that doesnt mean it's OK for them to be killed.

 

[protectionist]

Arthur J. Bomar, Jr. -- released from prison in Nevada on parole in 1990. Bomar had served 11 years of a murder sentence for killing a man over an argument about a parking space. Six years later in Pennsylvania, Bomar brutally kidnapped, raped and murdered George Mason University star athlete Aimee Willard.

Arthur Shawcross (The 'Monster of the Rivers') -- Released after serving a 25 year sentence for a child murder, turned to murdering prostitutes. At least 10 in all. Now serving ten consecutive sentences of 25 years to life - 250 years in all.
(leaving him able to kill again - inside the prison.
If he does, what will they do ? Extend his sentence to 350 years ?)

 

[JoeB131]

In many cases, killers sentenced to life in prison, kill again inside the prison. Sometimes it is prison inmates, sometime guards, sometimes employees (cafeteria, maintenance, etc).

In the case of the fellow inmates, they are criminals serving time too, but that doesnt mean it's OK for them to be killed.

So what?

That just tells me we have too many people in prison for non-murder we lock up with the murderers. So let's lock up the murderers and handle the petty criminals differently.

Instead we lock up petty criminals with murderers and wonder why they come out so much worse, if they come out at all.

 

[Polishprince]

PA hasn't executed anyone since 1999 and has only executed three people since the DP was restored in 1976.

So it really isn't a top state for executions compared to Texas or Florida.

For once you're right. Pennsylvania even let Mumia slide for killing a cop rather that seating the fellow into the chair.

 

[JoeB131]

For once you're right. Pennsylvania even let Mumia slide for killing a cop rather that seating the fellow into the chair.

Well, that and he's an internationally known figure.

 

[protectionist]

if they come out at all.

Which is why we need to execute, when there is clear proof of guilt.

 

[protectionist]

John Miller -- California. Killed an infant 1957, convicted of murder, 1958. Paroled 1975. Killed his parents 1975. Life term 1975.

Jack Ferrell -- Florida. Committed Murdered 1981. 15 years to life, 1982. Paroled 1987. Murdered again 1992. Condemned 1993.

Timothy Buss -- Murdered five-year-old girl. Sentenced to 25 years in 1981. Paroled 1993. Murdered 10-year-old boy. Condemned 1996.