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Andrew87

With New Jersey's recent abolition of the death penalty, apparently Maryland is thinking of doing the same. What do you guys think about the death penalty?

No Death Penalty for New Jersey ... But Maryland Too? - Associated Content

No Death Penalty for New Jersey ... But Maryland Too?

First New Jersey makes an historic decision to abolish the death penalty, and now Maryland too? Advocates of repealing capital punishment in Maryland are hopeful that New Jersey will set an example. The Maryland State Legislature meets next month in January. There was a chance to repeal the death penalty with life without parole, but it failed in a Senate committee vote by just one vote. However for next month, many people feel the bill will not pass in the state of Maryland.

Governor Martin O'Malley, a Democrat, has been rallying against the death penalty because of its high costs and the unjust nature of the punishment. Advocates against the death penalty, have set up events in Maryland to highlight the issue once lawmakers return back to the legislature on January 9th. Also showing up on January 9th, is Scott Turow, a death penalty opponent, who is a suspense novelist. Further, these advocates are asking non-supporters of the death penalty to write to their lawmakers. There is however, not as much support for the abolishment as in New Jersey.

Catherine Potter, a sophomore studying political science at Catholic University, is a longtime advocate for its repeal. "It is repulsive that we still have executions. We are the United States of America. Shouldn't we be better than that? Even if there is the remote possibility that one person is innocent, it is enough cause to repeal the death penalty. It is time for the Maryland legislature to step up to the plate and do something."

Maryland as of December, 2006, has had a moratorium on the death penalty. Currently, Maryland has only five prisoners that are awaiting execution. However, for executions to be carried out, Governor O'Malley must instate new regulations, which he has shown a great amount of restraint. If Maryland does not abolish the death penalty at its next vote, an enormous amount of pressure will be on the governor to write new rules.

Joe Bardi, who holds a political science degree from the University of Maryland, says it is showing a weakness in the governor. "These are convicted criminals. They were given a fair trial with a lawyer and ample resources. It is not justice to keep them on death row. It is justice for them to be executed. The verdict was death, not life in prison without the possibility of parole. If he is not going to uphold the law in Maryland, then who is? What is next, life in prison is inhumane?" Similar points of view have been adopted by citizens throughout Maryland. There have been conflicting studies about the effectiveness of the death penalty. Studies in California have shown that the death penalty is not a deterrent whereas other studies conducted in Canada show otherwise. Bardi also states, "Hypothetically, if we abolish it (death penalty), then we need to reserve it for the killings of law enforcement officers and terrorists. But I do support the death penalty for any person who takes the life of another." The governor has stated on numerous occasions that he wants "all or nothing".

The Maryland State Legislature is not expected to pass the proposed bill. It is however being called progress. New Jersey, being the first state in nearly forty years to abolish its death penalty, may be starting a trend for the future. Some believe the philosophy of "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" whereas others are rallying behind "an eye for an eye, makes the whole world blind." The remaining question is, which philosophy will be adopted by the Maryland State Legislature?

 

pkster8235

I am against the dealth penalty. No one has a right to take away anyone else's life.. that goes for a criminal and the law system too.

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Viper420

Some people have done some extremely nasty things to their fellow human beings and have lost the right to breath anymore.
Extreme cases of child molesting and cold blooded killers are at the top of my list.

pkster8235

Yes, that's true. They are extremely nasty things, and we want them to die. It's not about what we want though, it's what is right and moral. Gandhi said, An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind

dedbr

Personally, I think they should rot in prison the rest of their life. I think death is a freedom they don't deserve.

Or how about the victims family gets to decide? Would that be justice? It's a coin toss with me sometimes. I refuse to believe that anyone should hurt another for any reason, but, as Viper said, there are some nasty people out there.........


Some Where In Ded Land......

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Darque Pervert

The problem is that when a fucktard rots in prison, we are paying for it through our tax dollars.
If that prisoner is in prison for fifty years, that's a burden of about $2,000,000 over the course of his lifetime (based on an conservative annual cost per prisoner of $40,000/year).
Sorry, but I have a real hard time paying for the long-term housing, medical care, food and clothing for someone who will never be a functional part of society.

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ADIDAS

Word, Darque has a great point. Although, Im sure we pay a pretty penny for the death penalty as well. Its tough to say that I want to do away with it completely, cause there are some sickos that truly deserve it.

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Jake

My problems with the death penalty are numerous, but I can't let go of the fact that some people do not deserve another breath.

I don't like the government being responsible in whether a person lives or dies. I think that one person being executed unjustly would cancel out thousands of justified executions. But really, I find that most executions I hear about are definitely justified, and the court proved without a reasonable doubt that the guy was guilty.

It's purely justice and revenge for me....

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Hashishi

Darque just just got torpedoed.

For the death penalty to be effective in the way it aspires to do it would need to exist in a devolved judiciary system.

*Waits for somebody to trot out the deterrence argument*

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Hookahs

I really don't have a problem with the death penalty.

I do agree with Ded, that a liftime in prison can be worse than dying, but I also agree with Daque more. Fuck that, us paying for them to live.... to see their loved ones or to write to them, sit around and work out, watch TV.. etc.

I'd hate to see someone unjustly get killed for something they didn't do, but if there is no doubt that they did it....

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