Rendell: Fix death penalty to execute more or get rid of it

I totally agree this part: Gov. Ed Rendell said Friday that Pennsylvania's death penalty should (either) be fixed so that more murderers are executed ...

Paying to house these animals for decades is simply ridiculous.

Doesn't Rendell read the newspapers or watch the news on TV? It seems that every day there's another case of an innocent man (or woman)spending decades in prison for something they didn't do. The cases of innocent people being executed don't make the news quite so often, for obvious reasons. What prosecutor is going to say "oops, my bad"? Want to be sure the convicted suffers? Think about what it's like to wake up in prison every day, knowing you're never getting out. Want to be fiscally responsible? Life without parole costs a fraction of a death penalty case. How many murder victims would say to their families "they killed me, now you kill them"? Before you push for quicker executions, look up Todd Willingham on the internet. Or check out the web site for a group called Witness to Innocence. There's too many cases of wrongful convictions - witnesses make mistakes, evidence can be misinterpreted, police are under pressure to make arrests, and prosecutors want a mark in the "win" column. Death penalty trials cause the victim's family to relive the pain over and over. Life without parole is the proverbial "lock 'em up and throw away the key" - without the risk of making everyone in the state a murderer when an innocent person is executed. Gov. Rendell - don't kill for me.

Yes, Hinckley, Manson and Loughner might be innocent.

I agree that it takes entirely too long for an execution. I feel that when there is irrefutable evidence to their guilt all these appeals and delays need to be removed. I DO NOT believe in the death penalty for circumstantial evidence or reasonable doubt. If a person commits murder they need to pay.

To many folks say capitol punishment does not work. When you have executed less than an average of 3 murderers in each state for the last 20 years, there is no reason to fear death. You know that the odds are in your favor you won't be executed for murder.

Until we take back our country and put an end to all the violent and cruel crimes there is no fear in the criminals. They know that they will get a slap on the wrist or a life in prison better than some good citizens. All because someone from the ACLU or other outfit says the criminals can't have their rights violated.

It is time for people to say that they want the majority to decide for them and not the minorities (not race or nationality); ACLU, Atheists, Activists, Criminals, etc. I am tired of the few saying that I can't pray in schools, say "Under God" in the pledge of allegience, put "In God We Trust" on our money and more. Our Country was founded on majority decides--DEMOCRACY--not we the few.

For an innocent person to be even convicted (much less executed) is an absolute travesty. Probably one of the things that bothers me the most. I am not talking about innocent people when I say death penalty convictions should be carried out soon after sentencing .. I am talking about the criminals.

"the few studies that have been done estimate that between 2.3% and 5% of all prisoners in the U.S. are innocent ...." (Innocence Project) which turns out to be a LOT of people .. but that still leaves 95% who are guilty as charged .. that is a lot MORE people.

We need to do TWO things .. improve our trial process so that fewer (to none) innocent people are convicted AND expedite the sentences of the GUILTY. A 'fix' to a situation can easily involve multiple tasks.

Only a moron would say capital punishment doesn't work. Of course it works. The thug will never commit another crime and we won't have to house, feed and medicate him for 60 years. It's a win-win.

If the reasoning behind expediting executions is that "95% are guilty", does that mean that a 5% error rate is acceptable? Is it acceptable if the brakes on the school bus your child rides every day work 95% of the time? How about if the landing gear on the plane your on works 95% of the time? If your paycheck doesn't bounce 95% of the time? I'm not in favor of killers walking the streets; I believe that life in prison without the possibility of parole is truly a fate worse than death. It's a new day of punishment every time the sun comes up, and nothing to look forward to but more of the same tomorrow.

Put them to death within 30 days no questions asks, and NO APPEALS!!!!!!!!!! Let GOD sort them OUT!!

Frank wrote:

Put them to death within 30 days no questions asks, and NO APPEALS!!!!!!!!!! Let GOD sort them OUT!!

Obviously you've given this topic a lot of thought and have even done some research, Frank. Print your remark out and put it on your fridge, so that if anyone you love is ever arrested for something they didn't do, you don't have to think about what to tell the police or the press when they come knocking on your door.