The criminal justice system never ceases to amaze me.
Yesterday I literally woke up to CNN. Now I don't mean I grabbed a danish and settled into my comfy recliner to view the morning news. No, I peeped an eye open somewhere around 5 am (too damn early) and saw that we must have left the bedroom TV on CNN on all night. Usually I fall asleep to something on TV Land (Three's Company, Cheers, some other equivocally cheesy 70s/80s sitcom) so then if we happen to leave it on I wake up to something a little more upbeat.
But the news anchor was excitedly reporting the Saddam trial, specifically noting his defiant attitude, so I was compelled to roll over and watch awhile. They start talking about the charges brought against him, all the while using the technical jargon that most could care less about (if they even understand it). I catch a few phrases such as, "He held babies at arm's length from their mother's to starve them" and that's all it takes to really fire me up at 5 am. (The whole time I'm thinking, shouldn't they be showing coverage of this monster hurricane coming in?)
But I'm digressing. With reference to the justice system, I'm appalled. I sat up and followed the story until they mention that the rest of the trial is postponed because of the "lack of cooperation." Another highlight is the fact the asshole "stared down" a security guard. Woo-hoo. What would one expect from such an abusive tyrrant?
Again, I'm off topic. The thing here is this: Why the hell does this man deserve a trial? Okay, so technically since I'm a criminal justice minor I'm no stranger to the process and I can halfway, logically answer my own question. But in all reality, I think it's a travesty that they're wasting the time and money to try to prove something here when the damage is already evident in the details. Saddam did not murder a man. He did not commit a couple of homicides. He TORTURED his own people, and then some! What kind of justice is being done when the beligerent bastard is getting an opportunity to sit there in that courtroom and scoff at authorities?
Oh yeah, and CNN did finally cover Wilma for a 30 second blurp. But then it was back to the case! (The killer 'cane may have been in the Caribbean at the moment, but I'm sure it's more of a threat and concern of people right now than the criminal in custody.)
Okay...instance number two. I was reading the paper earlier and my eyes fell upon the story about the woman who threw her three young children off a bridge. WTF? Of course I'm instantly filled with anger and sadness and disgust all at the same time, but then I ultimately think, What will become of this woman? But of course, she'll get a trial and since she's a whacko on multiple forms of medication (hearing voices, of all things), she might get a few years with the parole option. Maybe I'm wrong, but either way, I would feel no remorse--in fact, I'd be honored--if I could take matters into my own hands. It wouldn't be pretty, but it would be the end.
Do I support the death penalty? That's become more of a grey area with me in the last few years. After listening to one particular professor whose specialty is wrongful conviction, I'm a bit swayed toward opposition. However, in a situation where a criminal blatantly admits to a heinous crime, and where there is sufficient evidence present, and where the criminal shows no remorse, then yes, I wholeheartedly believe in Hammurabi's Law...An eye for an eye, etc. Don't give me a line of shit about mental illness, unless, of course, the system is going to step up to the plate and do more to prevent such things from happening. For instance, people knew this woman was not capable of taking care of her young children--why were they left in her custody? Why does it take a tragedy to get people to wake up? Why does it take looking for three little bodies floating in a river to make people care?
Many argue that death penalty is not the answer because it goes against Christianity. It's true there is scripture promoting forgiveness--it is also true there is scripture supporting the annihilation of wickedness.
I just don't get it.
6 comments:
i was part of debate on the death penalty in high school- against it. after allot of research i found out some interesting things...about the costs (costs more to put someone to death, vs keeping them in jail- opposed to what everyone thinks). then i read what actually happens when they physically put someone away- the govt- the trials- its all so very complicated. at the end- i came to the conclusion that economically and morally it would make sense for us to let them rot in jail. but i can't help but think of how there still should be more of a punishment for some people- like ones who sexually abuse kids for example- cut their balls off i say! i dunno- but i did hear about the mom who threw her kids away into the bay- almost cried when i saw their faces on tv- so sad.
I go back and forth on this one too- I am like the wind. My mind changes wiht whoever I talk to but I have to say that I sway more for then against.
There is no reasoning some of the things that go on today- that is why I stay VERY FAR AWAY from the news! I may be stupid but too much reality and I get bummed out!
I agree. So much senseless crap in the world.
I have also heard (repeatedly) in classes that it costs sooo much more to execute the death penalty than to keep them in jail. But there must be a reason, and thereagain, the core is the "process" of the CJS. There is no such thing as a "speedy trial" when there is so much rigamorole involved. It isn't logical, and to me, the conditions of existence in a jail cell are stil too comfortable for a murderer. Especially when it comes to those who harm defenseless children. Yeah, a murder is a murder, but that strikes me as excessively horrendous.
We visited a jail this past spring on a "field trip" and I must say, those who get to sit in a cell and play cards, read a book, laugh with cronies, etc don't deserve it.
I am opposed to the death penalty for this reason, many on death row have not committed the crimes that they are charged with. In the state of Illinois they released 163 folks out of jail, most on death row after they found out about crooked prosecutors and cops. In St. Louis it seems that 1 or more prisoners a month or being release for the same thing. I think there are many more. If they had been killed there would have been all innocent folks. As you said in the post, our system is a mess. Why spend all this money to try a man you know is guilty? Death penalty for him, I agree. They have evidence,proof that he committed his crimes. The girl on the bridge, well her family tried to have admitted to the hospital (mental) but they refused her. Could it be that she was poor which was the reason that she was living in the shelter. It is this country's problem when the poor can't get help to keep them from killing innocent people.NOw don't say she should have gotten a job. Would you want to work with a mentally unstable, voice hearing person who may kill everyone on the job because the devil told her to, or would you prefer that she be put in an institution so that she will not hurt her children or ours? It is the system and it needs to be fixed quick, but I know it will not be. Good post though..
Oh no. There's no way I would advise a woman like that to get a job. I can speak from experience because my family has also been trying to get my own mother help for quite some time now. It is a scarily similar situation. Everywhere we turn to help, we are told she's an adult and must get help for herself. It's a long story, (which I posted about back in August) but the bottom line is that nobody wants to do anything about it until something "serious" happens.
I supposed the same thing happened to that young girl, that because she was deemed an adult, the family could not get her in. But what to do about something like this? I understand that people have to have protection to assure that their interest is being served, but in your mothers' case, why won't they (officials)or those who make the policies look into helping our families and friends who need the help? How are you handling this with your mom? I will go back and read your entry. Thanks your post it is great and timely. In order to change this situation, it has to be talked about.
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