Post by SoulTrainOz on Jul 1, 2006 4:58:30 GMT -5
Nashville City Paper, Editorial
Seeing last-minute hand-written stays, a blur of appeals and the seemingly endless parade of family members and witnesses bouncing in and out of Riverbend Maximum Security Institution since Tuesday afternoon begs a question:
Does Tennessee have a problem carrying out executions?
On the surface, it would seem so. Yes, Tennessee has put just two people to death in the last 45 years (three if Paul Dennis Reid is executed before you read this), one in 2000 and one early Wednesday, and yes, it is a very serious and gut-wrenching process.
At the same time, however, there have been six years to make this difficult and emotionally draining process work much, much smoother than it has.
The cost of carrying out executions is already great; stays, delays, appeals and reprieves only add to it. Not to mention the human costs that are levied on friends and family members of both victims and the condemned. Remember, it doesn't matter which side of the issue you reside - frustration is plentiful either way.
The introduction of 11th-hour evidence that was supressed recently discovered, or new DNA technology that was not available prior to a guilty verdict, does build a case for abolishment of the death penalty.
At the same time, proponents grow restless that the process has too many "outs," and no one seems to have the authority to carry out what they see is an extension of an investigation, a trial, a verdict, a sentencing. Bottom line is this: If you are going to enact a death penalty in this state, have a process in place that enacts a death of the condemned.
Honor a judicial system that allows for all legal questions and appeals to be exhausted before setting an execution date. Therefore, questions about DNA evidence or the mental health of the accused have already been answered..
As the elected guardian of the state and its greatest authority on its laws, accept the governor's denial for clemency as the final appeal in the process.
Even the actions of a 6th District Appeals Court judge, who happens to live in Nashville, should be questioned after he hand-wrote an 11th-hour stay without input from fellow justices.
At the very least, the state needs to act in the best interest of the public and bring some clarity to the execution process.
Source : Nashville City Paper, Editorial
www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index..cfm?section_id=38&screen=news&news_i
d=50711
Seeing last-minute hand-written stays, a blur of appeals and the seemingly endless parade of family members and witnesses bouncing in and out of Riverbend Maximum Security Institution since Tuesday afternoon begs a question:
Does Tennessee have a problem carrying out executions?
On the surface, it would seem so. Yes, Tennessee has put just two people to death in the last 45 years (three if Paul Dennis Reid is executed before you read this), one in 2000 and one early Wednesday, and yes, it is a very serious and gut-wrenching process.
At the same time, however, there have been six years to make this difficult and emotionally draining process work much, much smoother than it has.
The cost of carrying out executions is already great; stays, delays, appeals and reprieves only add to it. Not to mention the human costs that are levied on friends and family members of both victims and the condemned. Remember, it doesn't matter which side of the issue you reside - frustration is plentiful either way.
The introduction of 11th-hour evidence that was supressed recently discovered, or new DNA technology that was not available prior to a guilty verdict, does build a case for abolishment of the death penalty.
At the same time, proponents grow restless that the process has too many "outs," and no one seems to have the authority to carry out what they see is an extension of an investigation, a trial, a verdict, a sentencing. Bottom line is this: If you are going to enact a death penalty in this state, have a process in place that enacts a death of the condemned.
Honor a judicial system that allows for all legal questions and appeals to be exhausted before setting an execution date. Therefore, questions about DNA evidence or the mental health of the accused have already been answered..
As the elected guardian of the state and its greatest authority on its laws, accept the governor's denial for clemency as the final appeal in the process.
Even the actions of a 6th District Appeals Court judge, who happens to live in Nashville, should be questioned after he hand-wrote an 11th-hour stay without input from fellow justices.
At the very least, the state needs to act in the best interest of the public and bring some clarity to the execution process.
Source : Nashville City Paper, Editorial
www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index..cfm?section_id=38&screen=news&news_i
d=50711