What do you want to see happen to this killer in Texas?

[vetwife]

First there was Petersen. Then we have time after time a killer who just kills for the sake of killing pregnant women with children.
So what do you think should happen here?
I feel so sorry for that family bearing a pain that is so hard that few can imagine. This was in Texas, you know. A confession.
Death penalty for sure.

[Skittles]

1. his parents lost one son to a car accident and a daugter in childbirth

life in prison, no parole

[Bluebear]

3. Exactly my discussion at home tonight

Oh to put his parents through that, appeal after appeal, seeing another child die for whatever reason.

[Bluebear]

2. Life in prison no parole

We talked about this tonight, a lot of lives lost and ruined.

Let him fester thinking about what he did.

[Bridget Burke]

34. "Life in Prison No Parole"....not allowed in Texas.

Convicted murderers can get sufficiently long sentences that they won't be eligible to see the Parole Board until they're 101. Then they've got to win parole. But jurors cannot be informed of this reality.

Life without Parole has been proposed in the Legislature but lost--because fewer Death Sentences would result. There are, indeed, certain folk we'd like to see put away forever. But lawyers can hint to the jurors the murderers will be out on the street in a few years, so they only way to prevent it is capital punishment.

Totally fucked up. Maybe a rich Texan has been executed--but I've never heard of it.

I agree with you, but it's different down here.

[elehhhhna]

51. Google results (you are correct):

Web Images Groups News Froogle LocalNew! more »



Your search - "wealthy texan executed" capital crime - did not match any documents.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

50. I am against the death penalty, period. It puts it out into the

Universe that murder is ok, even if it is state sanctioned.

Life, no parole.

[Catherine Vincent]

4. Life in prison, no parole.

[vetwife]

5. That guy killed more than woman and child

He killed off a lot of people who cared about her and that little boy and that new baby that was expected. He killed them all. They just haven't laid down yet.

[Maddy McCall]

Well, try to get him convicted on that.

He can only be charged for the actual murders he committed.

[vetwife]

9. I know , however

thought I would bring you up to date on how I still feel after 3 months. Watching all the life leave your child's eyes who lost a loved one to murder. Watching our 14 year old have a nervous breakdown and sleep comes to no one who loved the victim.

[Bluebear]

10. What about his parents and those who love him?

You want to torture them too?

[vetwife]

11. No. No I don't.....They are already scarred for life

Wonder how much he was thinking of them when he did this.

[Bluebear]

14. He wasn't obviously. Why put them through more?

What purpose will it serve?

Let him reflect for forty years behind iron bars. I think the loss of freedom and dignity is a fate worse than death.

[elehhhhna]

52. oh god. that's a turn of phrase I haven't heard. stunned me.

[McKenzie]

6. killing him won't do anything except satisfy the revenge instinct

he sounds a sicko, I agree. However, executing people is the antitheses of progression. The existence of the death penalty in Texas didn't stop him killing those unfortunate people so what's the point, apart from revenge, and satisfying a primitive bloodlust?

[elehhhhna]

54. an abortion might have saved one life...

flame away.

If it were an acceptable option to consider here in the Bible- (certainly not Chastity-) Belt, a woman who pregnant with her BF's unwanted child could be appropriate candidate.

(Adoption is a viable opption as well.)

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

7. If we're a Christian nation, what would Christ do?

[vetwife]

12. NSM......You really

have a good heart. You really do ! I always thought so.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

30. Thankyou. I don't believe in the death penalty and I am Jewish

but it bothers me to no end that a nation that professes to be Christian only discusses forgiveness in the first person..i.e. "I AM FORGIVEN."

I am not saying forgive and forget. He obviously murdered and should be punished, but I feel if anything, the death penalty makes us ALL as barbaric as the person who murdered.

I would BET this person has a history of battering women, and not much attention has been paid to THAT since Nicole Simpson met her maker.

[lastliberalintexas]

33. Not necessarily

"He obviously murdered and should be punished"

Just reminding everyone of the presumption of innocence (I know you certainly know this Teena!). So what I'd like to see is him get a fair trial on the merits, before an unbiased jury of his peers, and sentenced accordingly *if* found guilty.

But remember folks- an arrest does not make one guilty of anything. That's just my little pet peeve, and I'm sure people here at DU are tired of me throwing out the old "innocent until proven guilty" admonition. I'll step away from the soap box now. :)



I only wish the Texas jury would be fully informed of the consequences of their decision. They're not, and that's one of the reasons we end up with so many death sentences handed out. But that's for another thread- don't mean to hijack this one.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

35. I completely agree and thanks for the correction

I assume his confession to be accurate since he led them to the bodies, but you are correct...there has yet to be a trial.

Thanks

[lastliberalintexas]

42. I've got to get a hobby

I think I spouted off the same thing on a Laci Peterson (sorry can't remember the husband's name) thread. It's just a little OCD on my part- kind of like Rainman! :D

[Rush1184]

8. Life in Prison, No Parole...

Let someone take care of him in prison.

[vetwife]

13. I am wondering why these people don't get locked up for life?

How come they only serve 7 or 20 years and get off? Death penalty doesn't seem to deter. So what will?

[Skittles]

15. because some states do not have life/no parole

nt

[vetwife]

17. Does anyone know the motive?

[Bluebear]

19. Yes....

the report is the murdered woman was carrying his child and she threatened to tell his wife. He suffocated her then the boy because he had witnessed it. A horrible, horrible thing.

[vetwife]

21. I heard he suffocated her but where did the blood in house

come from that was initially reported?

[Bluebear]

22. Dunno, that's all the detail I heard, maybe they argued first

[Bluebear]

16. I think this guy snapped.

It seems to be a different crime initially from a serial or sexually gratified killer.... I don't see a lot of murderers being paroled, vetwife, not in situations like this.

[vetwife]

18. We think (here at home) he was on Meth..

Don't know why we think this but it sure seems people get all doped and whack out !

[vetwife]

27. the meth thing..we think was in relation to that poor pregnant woman

Not sure of what happenend here.

[vetwife]

20. Why do some cases get on TV and others ignored?

Anybody know why this happens.? Why a case turns cold because no one mentions it in the public? Good example. Same area where our tragedy happened..last Friday a family of four were bound in duct tape ...shot and the house set on fire...Bet you didn't hear anything about that either. Ages from elderly to young. WHY?

[vetwife]

23. I have a reason for asking these questions...I'm going to FBI

tomorrow I think...I did a little investigating on this situation here and I am trying to decide just what to do. I don't want to obstruct but someone's not doing their job if I found something out on the puter that the Big boys should have known. Don't know who to trust. Not one investigator has talked to us. Not one !

[Bluebear]

24. What race were they, just curious?

[vetwife]

25. White..but poor..very poor

[vetwife]

26. If those investigators took the time to talk to me ....

maybe they would stumble on something I suspect..and it wasn't just one if my suspicions are right and its a horrible thing. I researched and researched some things and sure don't like what I have found. I am sure they know the new guy she took up with was a convicted criminal for many things but I bet they don't know some things they should.

[Bluebear]

28. Call the media

If law enforcement won't get involved.

[vetwife]

29. ABI, GBI and the Alabama Sheriff's office is involved and

that is what is concerning me. All of these agencies and no one talks to the people who knew her the best !!!!!!! Even her family had not been that much a part of her life for the past 5 years. Sure we were out of the picture for 5 months but why not talk to the people she lived with for 5 and 1/2 years?

[ThorsHammer]

31. Solitary confinement, hard labor, no prison amenities

[GOPisEvil]

32. Texas has no "life, no parole" provision.

It's either death or life, with parole possible.

I think we need a life, no parole option myself. I can do without the death. Hard to clear up those pesky mistakes with death...

[lastliberalintexas]

36. Yes, but if you give the jury that option

they wouldn't decide to "fry" the SOBs. And of course that's all most Texas politicians and many prosecutors care about. There *is* a reason that we haven't been able to get a true life sentence option in Texas.

[GOPisEvil]

37. And we call ourselves civilized.

How ya doin'? :hi:

[lastliberalintexas]

43. Hey David

:hi:

Texas is civilzed? Who knew? :shrug:

[Bridget Burke]

38. In reality, a sufficiently long sentence can be given....

So that parole is a dim possibility. But lawyers aren't allowed to tell the jury!

This year's legislative program (from a Texas Catholic website): Senator Eddie Lucio of Brownsville pre-filed his bill to give juries the option of giving life without parole in place of the death penalty. A number of other death penalty bills have been pre-filed including one by Rep. Harold Dutton of Houston to establish a commission to study executions.

www.txcatholic.org/legislative_memos.html

I'm pro-choice, but can respect the consistent pro-life position.

[obnoxiousdrunk]

53. How about

40 years for each victim that's like a 120 years ?

[Vladimir]

39. Imprisonment until rehabilitated

of course, in this case, rehabilitation may well never occur, but I don't think the primary object of law should be to punish - no punishment will bring the dead back.

[vetwife]

40. By rehabilitated..do you mean

Only killing one instead of more than one? Life without parole ..Hard Labor.....HARD LABOR !!!!! sleep on the Floor..Eat Bread and water.....Make him Pay for his crimes. No parole..EVER !

[Vladimir]

41. I mean until this person is no longer deemed

dangerous to society. As I said, in this case that may well never occur...

As for hard labour, I have no problem with this (as long as the 'hard' is within humane limits) - it is certainly a more reasonable use of resources than mere imprisonment. If you committ a crime, I think it should be perfectly OK for society to turn around and ask you to pay the price by doing something constructive.

[seabeyond]

44. not into death penalty, but

some things loses the right to be a part of humality.

i dont know the story though. killing works for me though. rehabilitate if like, but stay in jail

[Maestro]

45. Let him rot in prison

Some crimes are so heinous that even rehabilitation is not viable. Rot in prison!!!!

[Padraig18]

46. Life in prison w/o the possibility of parole. n/t

[Issabella]

47. life in prison with no hope for parole

but he'll get the death sentence.....in TX!

[Mandate My Ass]

48. If I want to be outraged I'll just ponder the deaths of all the

innocent Iraqis and American GIs who are dying for
Bush's greed. There are plenty of unnecessary and
preventable deaths about which to be outraged.


But since the press isn't pumping up the indignation
on those I guess I won't have too much company.

[lastliberalintexas]

49. "Life" in Texas is 20 years

IF he is found guilty by a jury, he can be sentenced to death (likely) or he can be given 2 life terms for the 2 murders. Those life terms could be served consecutively, such that he would in reality be sentenced to 40 years. In Texas, that would make him eligible for parole in 20 years, if I recall correctly.


Anyone saying life without parole would be correct in the abstract. Unfortunately we don't give the jury that option down here, which is one of the reasons we have so many death sentences handed out.


I too feel for the family, but I also hope that they can move past this wihtout becoming bitter. Far too many families who are left behind after a loved one is murdered become shallow bitter shells of the people they once were. Especially if the defendant is sentenced to death, because they tend to make that the focus and goal of their lives. And then when the death sentence is actually carried out, and the release doesn't come for them, they remain bitter, shallow people, only then without a goal for the rest of their lives. Certainly not true of all, but of too many nonetheless.

We really need to do a better job in this country of providing counseling to victims and their families. But that's not politically popular or expedient like the "tough on crime" measures which are oh so easy to enact.

[merh]

55. First of all, I remember the constitution of the USofA that says

everyone is innocent until proven guilty. Therefore your question should be worded "what do you want to see happen to this alleged killer in Texas". In response to that question my answer is I would like to see him get a fair trial.

Then I remember the words of Christ "judge not lest ye be judged".
And then I remember the Commandments, number 6 in particular, that reads "Thou Shalt Not Kill".


It's not a tough decision - life in prison.

[vetwife]

56. He confessed and showed where the bodies were

Sounds like there is not much room for speculation about guilt or innocence.

[merh]

61. Funny thing about our constitution, it allows one a defense and

everyone is innocent until proven guilty. He is entitled to a defense.

Most folks I know appreciate that concept.

Also, what is your response to "Thou shalt not kill"?

[vetwife]

62. I am a PK's daughter what do you think my response is?

Thou shalt not Kill..Wish he had known # 6.
I think his defense with a confession is not to determine his innocence or guilt. It is to give him equal protection under the law for his crimes as to appeals and such as that.
I don't have to agree with what they decide...But I think when he signed a confession and showed the bodies..he pretty much threw away his Not guilty plea. I wouldn't want to be his public defender.

[G_j]

57. so Bush is in Crawford?

"..a killer who just kills for the sake of killing pregnant women with children."

[Bluebear]

63. Snap!

[devilgrrl]

58. Lock him up, throw away the key.

Life - no parole.

[Spirochete]

59. Just don't make him president

like they did whats-his-face, the other murderer from Texas

[porphyrian]

60. I don't want to see it at all.

Until we fix our judicial system, we are in no position to impose penalties we can't take back.

[Bluebear]

64. So this was another conservative push poll I got suckered into?

:crazy:

[Swamp Rat]

65. HAHA! Been using the search function have ya?

:D

[Bluebear]

66. I paid for it. Gonna use it LOL.

I remember this thread the other night, poster was going on and on how she had info of a crime, seemed truly concerned about it (once she started her little conservative death penalty 'poll')... Little did I know that I was bashing vets in the process. :crazy:

[Swamp Rat]

67. Don't feel too bad...

SUCKER! :D

... just kidding. ;)

I can't imagine anything more embarrassing than posting one's own "Sandra Bernhard-Drama Queen-Swang Song" thread. :eyes:

[Bluebear]

68. How does one "leave" a board anyhow?

There's no door to slam dramatically.

[Swamp Rat]

70. Erect an altar with pious photos of oneself

Then become a martyr by getting tombstoned.

The one we witnessed will certainly become a classic. :)

[skippythwndrdog]

69. Execute him.

I wish we had the gallows, firing squad, or guillotine. He deserves it.