[Vision2020] DNA exoneration reaches 200; questions remain for justice system

[Tom Hansen]

I will preface my comments with an apology.

I sincerely apologize for the immature and irresponsible comment I made on
this listserve under a separate thread (Co-op Offers Cash Incentive to Use
Reusable Bags) concerning Wal-Mart store greeters.  If any members of Vision
2020 feel harmed by the comment, that was never my intent.  Again, my
apologies.

That said:

I would like to address the four specific concerns, in relation to our legal
systems implementation of capital punishment, brought up by Arnold that
"need massive overhauling", that our system:

1)  Often kills the wrong guy.

So, very, very true.  Once should be considered too often.  In my opinion a
sentence of death should be extremely difficult for a jury (or judge) to
render.  A person can be compensated for wrongful imprisonment as they are
released upon exoneration. Compensation for wrongful execution is a bit more
difficult to achieve.

2)  Is not uniform.

Arnold - 

Are you implying that application of punishments is not uniform across all
50 states?  If so, you are absolutely correct.  This will not change and
punishments will not be uniform nationally without a federal standard
(pronounced "federal law").  Heck.  We can't even establish uniformity in
voting machines.  How are we going to establish inter-state uniformity of
capital punishment?

3)  Does not provide adequate defense lawyers for impoverished defendants.

Unfortunately, we can file the suggestion related to this comment under
"wishful thinking".  The "Perry Masons" of the world work for major law
firms.  Until public defenders are paid salaries comparable to those once
demanded by Johnny Cochrane, public defenders will migrate to greener (as in
money) pastures as opportunities present themselves.

Public defenders salaries are subsidized by tax dollars.  If we were to
dramatically increase these salaries, the result would be a drastic increase
in our tax burden.  I am sure we all know how far that suggestion would go.

4)  Takes too long to implement.

Maybe it does.  Maybe it doesn't.  We can assume, however, that while appeal
after appeal after appeal after appeal is processed, the criminal is
incarcerated and not buried.

Thoughts?

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho 
 

"Uh, how about a 1-strike law. Death doesn't seem too extreme for a Level-3
sex offender."

- Dale "Comb-Over" Courtney (August 3, 2005)