Wrongful Conviction/ Injustice Community Group
For people and families who have tasted or advocate against the horrors of injustice
The link at the bottom of this post exemplifies why the death penalty has no place in a civilized country in this world.
For years, I have written articles, spoken to and and attempted to educate people, and have been an unashamed vocal critic of the death penalty.
Even if it was permissible on moral grounds----which it is not-----the death penalty is and cannot be administered in a manner which is reliable or fair. The finality of the death penalty is just too drastic for a criminal justice system that is just not very reliable.
When you read the story, you will find it has all the disgusting, recurring themes that you find in many of these cases-----a minority defendant, the incompetent defense attorney, the snitch who testified against the defendant to save her own hide, a defendant who was mentally challenged, and of course, the "hired gun" in the form of the former police officer who testified against the defendant.
I will not go into a long diatribe as I did yesterday, but think back at a little history of criminal justice prosecutions in the United States in the past several decades.
At one time, prosecutors could strut with their chest out and proudly exclaim what a fine job they were doing. At the same time they assured the American public that the defendants they prosecuted were indeed guilty. This included death row cases. The prosecutors would not back down from their belief that they may have convicted innocent men.
Then came the equalizer, the trump card, the evidence that is so certain that it is like God pointing down from above and saying, "He did it."
DNA.
The advent of DNA demonstrated that the prosecutors had been sending a LOT of men to prison and some even to death row. Presently, only the most brazen and prosecutor will publicly hang with the belief that innocent men do not get convicted.
But not to worry. Old habits die hard. The death penalty proponents still maintain, that while a few innocent defendants have been convicted and placed on death row, they system somehow "worked" in the end and they were eventually freed. Does anyone with any common sense actually believe that? Can anyone with a straight face tell me that we have not executed----MURDERED----innocent men in this country????
Yes, we have executed innocent men in America. The death penalty is both too barbaric and immoral and too unreliable to put a man' life in jeopardy.
The truth is that the death penalty is just a state sponsored murder. Simple as that.
Here is the link-----------------
http://tinyurl.com/nzsg4bm
rewdiazepam
PS We have a "life without parole" in this country that is cheaper than the death penalty. Can't we be satisfied to use this method???
For years, I have written articles, spoken to and and attempted to educate people, and have been an unashamed vocal critic of the death penalty.
Even if it was permissible on moral grounds----which it is not-----the death penalty is and cannot be administered in a manner which is reliable or fair. The finality of the death penalty is just too drastic for a criminal justice system that is just not very reliable.
When you read the story, you will find it has all the disgusting, recurring themes that you find in many of these cases-----a minority defendant, the incompetent defense attorney, the snitch who testified against the defendant to save her own hide, a defendant who was mentally challenged, and of course, the "hired gun" in the form of the former police officer who testified against the defendant.
I will not go into a long diatribe as I did yesterday, but think back at a little history of criminal justice prosecutions in the United States in the past several decades.
At one time, prosecutors could strut with their chest out and proudly exclaim what a fine job they were doing. At the same time they assured the American public that the defendants they prosecuted were indeed guilty. This included death row cases. The prosecutors would not back down from their belief that they may have convicted innocent men.
Then came the equalizer, the trump card, the evidence that is so certain that it is like God pointing down from above and saying, "He did it."
DNA.
The advent of DNA demonstrated that the prosecutors had been sending a LOT of men to prison and some even to death row. Presently, only the most brazen and prosecutor will publicly hang with the belief that innocent men do not get convicted.
But not to worry. Old habits die hard. The death penalty proponents still maintain, that while a few innocent defendants have been convicted and placed on death row, they system somehow "worked" in the end and they were eventually freed. Does anyone with any common sense actually believe that? Can anyone with a straight face tell me that we have not executed----MURDERED----innocent men in this country????
Yes, we have executed innocent men in America. The death penalty is both too barbaric and immoral and too unreliable to put a man' life in jeopardy.
The truth is that the death penalty is just a state sponsored murder. Simple as that.
Here is the link-----------------
http://tinyurl.com/nzsg4bm
rewdiazepam
PS We have a "life without parole" in this country that is cheaper than the death penalty. Can't we be satisfied to use this method???
-
Which explains the mysterious fevers and my extra fatigue. I'm so glad I pushed for answers.
-
Due to my increased paranoia, anxiety, and a panic attack over the weekend, my psychiatrist has put me back in a full dose of Zyprexa until further notice. Every time I think I'm getting ahead something happens and it's back to square one. I knew he was gonna do this but I can't help feeling disappointed. It is what it is.
The death penalty is a VERY, VERY cruel punishment ... Considering the people who administer it seem to consider themselves the righteous and often level headed people of the world I just don't get it..
They're so often brought to the point of death then to be given some respite for a time... This can happen over and over again... Even IF you believed that this was a reasonable punishment for a guilty person how could anyone want to put their loved ones through it repeatedly
I do believe that there are people who society aren't safe from and steps need to be taken to keep people safe... This can be done by putting these people in a controlled environment
When someone is executed their death is considered murder... How can someone be sentenced to death for murder.... Are people saying murder is okay??... or isn't okay??
That's scary as hell to me... Trying to have DNA tested is a huge deal once someone is convicted... The courts fight it tooth and nail and then there's all of the people who don't have a DNA case who are just sunk
I don't think there's any excuse for the death penalty or place for it in a first world nation.. It surprises me that the US still has it...
I say this with much respect for my neighbours ...I do see some of the 'Southern' justice seems to sometimes take this 'good ol boy' stance
Try this link---
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/08/manuel-velez-death-row_n_5954302.html
rewdiazepam
One problem I have is that prosecutors will do everything they can to block DNA evidence which might exonerate a person in prison. Even if the DNA is not a match, they will often drag their feet to in an attempt to block the testing of evidence. And I have even heard DAs say that even though the DNA was not a match that they still think the offender was still guilty. That last statement literally leaves me breathless.
This is one reason that I previously stated that DAs should be appointed rather than elected. Making politicians out of them instead of purveyors of justice only adds to the injustices.
This makes me lose faith in humanity. Why in the world would anyone want to keep a man in prison if he is not even guilty? Does their job and status mean that much to them that they would deny an innocent man his life back? What kind of monsters are some of these prosecutors? Do they have any humanity in their soul?
The death penalty makes murderers of us all. It is nothing but retribution on the part of the government which legalizes a state sanctioned murder on an American citizen. Such a cruel and uncivilized process is a terrible reflection on the United States.
The entire process is barbaric and cruel. From the appeal process to the ridiculous notion of the ceremonial "last meal" to the fact that the event itself is witnessed like some kind of sick "going away party" with the last words from the condemned man, complete with a bunch of reporters present, drooling at the mouth for anything sensational to happen tells me that we live in a sick society who has lost its human values.
There are people who need to be kept from society, but there are better ways to accomplish that.
rewdiazepam
PS C'mon friends, chime in here. This is a discussion board. Nothing you say will be too silly around us. Let's get a good discussion started.
As for the people who do this well ya gotta wonder what sort of person they are and how do they sleep at night.
If murder is wrong then murder is wrong... State sanctioned murder should be as wrong as any murder
There are a lot of 'big wigs' who've been shown to exhibit sociopathic behaviour.. This is scarey as you've said rew... They have a lot of power and want to 'WIN'.. ..Someone being murdered is them winning!!
I don't know that there's any good answer other then taking it off of the table completely... There's no reason for it... If someone is taken out of society (if need be) and housed in an effective and controlled environment there is no reason for it whatsoever ... and I'm talking about rightful convictions
There are still a lot of malicious prosecutions.... I also think there should be mental health help made available to those who work in crime and punishment... PTSD can make people want to do some really bad things
I discovered a $100,000 misappropriation and exposed it to authorities. I was terminated from position within days. The person who did the misappropriation is still actively employed and was even promoted. This is in a state position, so it's corruption and politics rolled into deep pockets.
Winning a trial is not about justice, it is about numbers for prosecution purposes. There are many innocent people in prison due to corrupt officials in the legal system, and the terrifying results increase when "public outcry" is used as a media resource.
The investigator who I spoke with, explained to me that my complaint would be heard, however, the results would not be in my favor, due to the location of the workplace. I told the investigator I just wanted my story to be heard. In the end, after 33% of the state agency staff experienced turn-overs due to the situation of the $100,000 and the section it was used for personnel private improvements...just added to the corruption ability to stonewall any legal consequences from being applied to the agency. The agency has continued, and is now under federal investigation (due to large # of personnel being terminated AFTER they are required to train their replacements, and proof of this was shown, hurrah!), so eventually the truth will come out. Will it make a difference in the work place? No.
I'm not sure how to help someone be exonerated when the very system which checks the DNA and other evidence has a high level of corruption in some areas...will continue to do what I can to improve what I can.
I testified on behalf of a patient in a mental health facility against the staff.... These things are hard to do mideye and there's never any thanks
I believe though that 'evil thrives when good men do nothing'... and I think 'You Did Good"....xo
Good for you to testify for the patient...that's so hard to do, because your job usually is sacrificed for truth.
I agree with the "evil " statement, too. I try not to stand by on this one.