You set a very dangerous course when you say "Rape = death sentence".

You talk about "exclusively done in cold blood" - SOME rapes certainly, waiting for someone, stalking, grabbing, raping - evil, yes. On a date, had a few too many, get the signals wrong... Still a crime, definitely, but cold blooded? I'd say the opposite. Now, if we say rape = death sentence you are opening a can of worms.

Similarly, to advocate the death sentence is fine in cases like this - where there's virtually no room for confusion (he took the police to the body FFS) - but you open the door to other less open-and-shut matters to have the same penalty, which in turn will (always does) lead to innocent people being executed.

I'm a big believer that prison life should be harder, and that prison sentences for the convicted should be longer, but the death sentence is an absolute none starter because there's no way back if you get it wrong... And we are human, so we will get it wrong.

I don't think it is fair to disregard my argument just because she didn't rape anyone, my point is only to do with the death penalty.

You are right to say that inadequate prosecution isn't symptomatic of a faulty system, there is no proof that this is the case which is why i categorised it as media speculation as it happened to make sense to me when i heard it.

But at least financially the Casey Anthony case has cost more given it was a death row case.

Jurors and Judges get paid more for death penalty cases.
These cases take longer than if it weren't a death penalty case meaning the jurors had to stay sheltered from the media for a longer time and provide housing and meals.
She has now been given free housing and security

Edited by tbitm: 15/3/2013 12:40:08 AM

Obviously there would have to be a legal differentiation between heat of the moment rape and cold-hearted hunting a woman down like in this instance.

There is commentary by legal academics in America on that regard and on the proper use of the death penalty to dramatically decrease the chance of sentencing an innocent person to death.

Obviously it would make a huge difference if you clearly defined the circumstances requisite for a capital felony. Things like rape & murder with clearcut evidence, serial offenders, etc.

I'm just not comfortable with the death sentence, no matter the crime.