Monday, November 14, 2011
crime Capital Punishment Opponents Hold Capitol Protest
Posted by Andrew Crisp on Mon, Nov 14, 2011 at 9:01 AM
Idahoans Against the Death Penalty took to the Statehouse steps Saturday to protest the scheduled Nov. 18 execution of Paul Ezra Rhoades. More than 100 people gathered to send their message to the Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, who can stop the execution even moments before the syringes are filled with poison. The protesters implored Otter to use that power, sooner rather than later.
“I see today as us being a spiritual adviser to the state of Idaho,” said Rob Hanson. “You don’t need to kill to bring justice.”
Hanson is Rhoades’ former spiritual adviser. In his speech, he talked about Rhoades and faith, and asked that the state reconsider the sentence. The group, including Hanson, plans to travel to the maximum security facility on the day of the execution.
“The worst of the worst often receive a lesser sentence, while those without the means to defend themselves end up on death row,” said Monica Hopkins, executive director of the Idaho ACLU. “Our ideals of democracy and justice demand that we abolish the death penalty.”
Democratic Sen. Elliot Werk of Boise said he expected his pro-life peers in the Idaho Legislature to speak up against “state-sponsored killing,” but that few had. Werk said that Idaho would be joining the ranks of countries like Uganda and North Korea, Werk, like previous speakers, questioned the use of capital punishment, but said he believed "there wasn’t a chance" that Otter would stop the execution.
Comments (6)
Showing 1-6 of 6
I think the death penalty is a harsh and cruel punishment. Instead of having the death penalty they should sit in a soliatare area and only recieve food once a day. One reason I say this is because many people would rather die then sit in jail. So why give them what they want, instead we should give them what they dont. Thanks for reading this and this is only my opinion, people may have others.
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Murder is murder, weather carried out by a mad man or elected officials in the name of the people.
There is no justice to be found in killing,This is not complicated. It is as simple as my mother taught me "two wrongs don't make a right"
Butch Otter, You have a choice, Don't be a murderer
What's Worse: Death Penalty or Life in Prison?
Dudley Sharp
Some death penalty opponents argue against death penalty deterrence, stating that it's a harsher penalty to be locked up without any possibility of getting out.
Reality paints a very different picture.
First, there is always the possibility of getting out of prison.
More importantly, living murderers can harm and murder, again - executed murderers cannot. A very big deal.
Secondly, let's look at those who actually face the death penalty and see what they choose.
What percentage of capital murderers seek a plea bargain to a death sentence? Zero or close to it. They prefer long term imprisonment.
What percentage of convicted capital murderers argue for execution in the penalty phase of their capital trial? Zero or close to it. They prefer long term imprisonment.
What percentage of death row inmates waive their appeals and speed up the execution process? Nearly zero. They prefer long term imprisonment.
This is not, even remotely, in dispute.
What of that more rational group, the potential murderers who choose not to murder, is it likely that they, like most of us, fear death more than life?
Life is preferred over death. Death is feared more than life.
No surprise.
Deterrence
All prospects of a negative outcome deter some. It is a truism. The death penalty, the most severe of criminal sanctions, is the least likely of all criminal sanctions to violate that truism.
1) 27 recent studies finding for deterrence, Criminal Justice Legal Foundation,
http://www.cjlf.org/deathpenalty/DPDeterrence.htm
2) "Deterrence and the Death Penalty: A Reply to Radelet and Lacock"
http://homicidesurvivors.com/2009/07/02/deterrence-and-the-death-penalty-a-reply-to-radelet-and-lacock.aspx
4) "Death Penalty, Deterrence & Murder Rates: Let's be clear"
http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2009/03/death-penalty-deterrence-murder-rates.html
5) This is out of date, but corrects an number of the misconceptions about deterrence.
"Death Penalty and Deterrence"
http://homicidesurvivors.com/2006/03/20/the-death-penalty-as-a-deterrent--confirmed--seven-recent-studies-updated-61204.aspx
6) "The Death Penalty: More Protection for Innocents"
http://homicidesurvivors.com/2009/07/05/the-death-penalty-more-protection-for-innocents.aspx
Wouldn't it be ironic if one of the protesters for the Capitol punishment protest got murdered by one of the 'Occupy Boise' protesters?
On Texas death row inmates are in solitary 22-23 hours a day, no tv. Dont forget people, not ALL inmates are guilty just because they are jailed. 100 exonerated from death rows across USA means some are innocent! Have been wrongly accused and let off death row! I saw 20 men speak in Austin Texas who were let off death row in many states. Imagine how many have been executed that were innocent. Use your common sense PLEASE, The death penalty is NOT WORKING to help anybody. When are people going to read between the LIES and wake up? Evolve into higher level of intelligence please. Prison reform NOW.
Many say that Rhoades is a changed man. I have no doubt of that. 20 years or so in prison would change anyone or I would hope it would. But you see, this is not about and never has been about Rhoades being a changed man and the lives he has touched in prison for the good. For that I say thank you at least your life has not been a total waste Mr. Rhoades. This is about the man Rhoades was many years ago when he made the choice to murder, rape and rob. No, I am not an advocate of the death penalty but I am an advocate for the law of the land and the justice it doles out. Justice is blind I hope for the most part and justice demands Rhoades be put to death. Like it or not that is the law of this State, it is the sentence handed down by the judge who moderates the law and it is the law that will take his life for what he did so many years ago. Do not blame the law, do not blame the ones who make the law or even those who enforce the law. Instead, thank them and be glad we have the law. Thank those who chose in life to obey the law and only ask that you as well obey the same law. Do not blame that sometimes even the best of laws do not fully succeed for even in the best of circumstance the law can be wrong. For this instance the law, I believe, is right, it is correct and it is just. For you see the law did not forget those victims of a man who chose to not obey the law. It did not forget the man who chose to violate the very law that even in its imperfection has chosen to protect him and to insure his rights, ABOVE AND BEYOND the rights of his victims... that very law DID NOT FORGET TO INSURE HIS RIGHTS have been violated and were protected. It is a tragedy on all ends but the LAW will be carried out, eventual, clearly, justly and it will be final. IF you, after this is all said and done wish to blame anyone, blame Paul Ezra Rhoades, for he is the guilty one and of that there has never been any doubt. Paul Ezra Rhoades must pay the price. May GOD himself have mercy on your sole Mr. Rhoades.
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