To Be or Not To Be...

Let me begin by saying I am not against the death sentence but have a question. Why do some states even have a death penalty for a sentence? Ronnie Lee Gardner, a twice convicted murderer is in the news this week for his pending execution by firing squad on Friday in Utah. For crimes he committed over 25 years ago! How much money has been spent in appeals? Keep in mind Gardner isn’t denying he committed the crimes, just doesn’t deserve to die. Hey Ronnie…I think your victims felt the same way yet you denied them the opportunities that life had in store for them and their loved ones with your premeditated and deliberate acts!

A few facts:
• “The additional cost of confining an inmate to death row, as compared to the maximum security prisons where those sentenced to life without possibility of parole ordinarily serve their sentences, is $90,000 per year per inmate.” California- Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice June 2008
• “…the average cost to Maryland taxpayers for reaching a single death sentence is $3 million - $1.9 million more than the cost of a non-death penalty case. (This includes investigation, trial, appeals, and incarceration costs.)” Maryland- “Death penalty costs Md. more than life term,” by Jennifer McMenamin, The Baltimore Sun, March 6, 2008
• 12.68 years is the average length of stay on Death Row prior to execution. Florida-FDOC website

There are many more facts I could state but won’t. I believe in due diligence to prove guilt before execution but in the case of an admitted murderer… as in the Utah case, a premeditated murder the 2nd time he killed… why does it take 25 years and huge amounts of taxpayer money before the sentence is imposed? That is ludicrous and makes the judicial system a joke in my opinion. Sentence to life without a possibility of parole and throw away the key instead of taxpayer money. The convicted and the defense attorneys know how to play the game, the judicial system is manipulated for their purpose. The rights of the convicted have overtaken the rights of the victims…the rights of the people who should be represented in the case. Justice is served when the sentence from the court case is completed. Again, I believe an eye for an eye and a life for a life. What we have now is a sham and needs to be changed.