The first recorded history of an execution in the British Colonies (no United States of America) was in 1608 for treason. Hi name was Captain George Kendall and it seems there was no clear cut evidence that he actually committed a crime. REF We will never know now.
How many other have been murdered by the state who were innocent? We will never know now. But, you say, that doesn’t happen very often. Well there are at least 15 known cases since 1992. REF Can we justify even one?
That is the problem with state sanctioned murder. There is no turning back. Once a person is dead there is nothing more that can be done. Clearing his/her name notwithstanding. Although important, it is of little value to the family of a wrongly accused and murdered loved one.
Now before you begin to admonish me for having sympathy for the criminal, just stop. I think criminals should be punished, period. But death is only punishment for the family of the criminal not the criminal. I want him/her punished. I want them to live in humane but minimal circumstances. I want him/her to work every day, 8 hours a day, 5 days a week and earn minimum wage which will go to support his/her sustenance. I want him/her to have to think about what happened and live with the knowledge that he is being punished. Death is the end and therefore not a punishment.
Some will say he gets his punishment in hell, but...how many criminals find jesus on death row? Most of them. So now, if you buy that crap, he is going to heaven where he will spend eternity with his victims! Oh my god, how can that be just?
State murder is murder. It has nothing to do with punishment and everything to do with revenge and states should not be in the revenge business. It doesn’t deter crime. REF Long sentences in minimal conditions in maximum security facilities does. Making criminals support themselves will work.
It is time to get the state out of the murder business.
