Struggle to execute US murderer

[Desmond Hawkins]

Is that the best you can do, pansies?

*Spits blood on the executioner's face*

 

[ainwood]

In any case, unless you commit your murder in Texas, the home of our Dear Leader, the chances of being executed are remote.

I've been reading a book called "freakonomics". One of the things that they noted in that was that your annual chance of dying whilst on death row was actually lower than your chance of dying if you were a drug dealer (well, during the mid-nineties crack-epidemic at least).

 

[El_Machinae]

Is it safer to be on death row, or a construction worker?

I wonder what else is less safe than being on death row.

 

[Drewcifer]

It was a botched public execution in 1904 that led to the abolition of the death penalty in Minnesota.

They should broadcast executions on TV, if they did the death penalty would probably be repealed nationwide within 10 years.

 

[Tenochtitlan]

I've been reading a book called "freakonomics". One of the things that they noted in that was that your annual chance of dying whilst on death row was actually lower than your chance of dying if you were a drug dealer (well, during the mid-nineties crack-epidemic at least).

However, on death row, there is no chance of survival. (or is there)?

 

[Xenocrates]

Are you really suggesting that kitchen workers should get themsevles onto death row to increase their chance of survival? Oh the beautiful paradox of it! God bless America, I'm converted.

 

[El_Machinae]

If I recall, a state thought about doing pay-per-view executions, but got into trouble for it.

 

[Irish Caesar]

^ That's disappointing. It would be a good way to drum up some revenue...

 

[ChrTh]

However, on death row, there is no chance of survival. (or is there)?

In life, there is no chance of survival. In this specific case, you can be on death row sometimes for decades before you're executed. And of course you could always win on appeal. I've heard that if you get cancer they won't execute you, so everyone on death row smokes, but that may be an urban legend.

This is good news for me, though. My right arm is incapable of supplying a vein (as the Red Cross has found out many times), and my left is starting to have issues (since I've given blood from it every 8 weeks for several years) ... hrm, maybe I should rethink my "taking a break from giving blood to give my vein a chance to recover" strategy.

 

[Drewcifer]

This is good news for me, though. My right arm is incapable of supplying a vein (as the Red Cross has found out many times), and my left is starting to have issues (since I've given blood from it every 8 weeks for several years) ... hrm, maybe I should rethink my "taking a break from giving blood to give my vein a chance to recover" strategy.

Are you planning on commiting a brutal murder in the south?

 

[ChrTh]

Are you planning on commiting a brutal murder in the south?

Well, I live in the South, so if I do commit a brutal murder, the odds are it'll be here

I'm opposed to the death penalty, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit that part of the reason I'm opposed to it is because I have a sort of Pascal's Wager with it: I'd hate to support it and be convicted of a crime I didn't commit. I loathe irony.

 

[El_Machinae]

That's not a bad reason, actually.

And it's a good reason to always have a reputable alibi.

 

[Kayak]

That's not a bad reason, actually.

And it's a good reason to always have a reputable alibi.

Yes, thats why I have mine on retainer.

 

[CartesianFart]

However, on death row, there is no chance of survival. (or is there)?

Only to people like Karl Rove if he ever killed anyone.

 

[Blazer6]

If the world was perfect, there would be no innocent people getting the Death Penalty. One's barbarism is another's civilization. Let them get burned, shot, hung, poisoned, whatever it takes to stop those who committed the crimes to fit their punishment.

 

[RameNoodle]

Damn George Ryan!
We need the death penalty, in my opinion.

 

[Bluemofia]

Personally I would prefer firing squad. Except aimed for headshot. Or have a death match duel between death penalty people. (sort of a fight to the death tournament, except winner gets to live)

And I remember when I was poking fun about the US way of lethal injection.

One poison to stop the lungs.
One poison to stop the heart.
One poison to kill period.

And they inject all 3 into you, one at a time. And you think one of them is enough...

 

[Irish Caesar]

if the world was perfect, there would be no innocent people getting the Death Penalty. One's barbarism is another's civilization. Let them get burned, shot, hung, poisoned, whatever it takes to stop those who committed the crimes to fit their punishment.

If the world was perfect, there wouldn't be murderers or rapists anyway.

 

[7ronin]

Executions are only expensive because of the paperwork.

Executions are relatively inexpensive. The only paperwork required is a death warrant signed by a judge. What is expensive is the appeals process which by the time it has finished has cost several million dollars. The poorer counties in the State of California dread capital cases because they can't afford them.

However, on death row, there is no chance of survival. (or is there)?

Unless you are involved in prison gang activity or have murdered a child, you can expect to live to a nice old age. Many inmates die of old age before their appeals process runs out.

I've heard that if you get cancer they won't execute you.

Sorry, no easy outs. As long as you're still breathing you're good to go.

This is good news for me, though. My right arm is incapable of supplying a vein and my left is starting to have issues

In cases such as yours they will do what is called a "central line" using a very large vein, usually the jugular or the femoral.

 

[bhsup]

Grandpappy told my pappy: "Back in my day, son,
A man had to answer for the wicked that he done.
Take all the rope in Texas; find a tall oak tree,
Round up all of them bad boys, hang them high in the street,
For all the people to see."
"That justice is the one thing you should always find.
You got to saddle up your boys,
You got to draw a hard line.

When the gunsmoke settles, we'll sing a victory tune.
We'll all meet back at the local saloon,
We'll raise up our glasses against evil forces,
Singing: 'Whiskey for my men, stop beer for my horses.”

That pretty sums up my sentiment. The death penalty is a just punishmen for the worst crimes. It is hardly barbaric. Not to mention that hanging would solve this whole problem with not finding veins.