Originally Posted by mikemover

I agree with KV that our criteria for administering the death penalty requires some reform, and should only apply to cases that are far, FAR beyond reasonable doubt. And I don't think the Petereson case qualifies as that. I figure it will be overturned, and will become a life sentence. I think he is a piece of $h!t, and that he did kill his wife/son, but the prosecution just did not produce enough hard, tangible evidence to warrant the death penalty.

I also agree with YOU concerning public executions. I think they should be attendable, by anyone who wants to attend, and they should also be televised. Pay-per-view, perhaps, to help cover the cost?... Right now, the death penalty does not serve as a highly effective deterrent (except to the murderer being executed! ), but I think that would drastically change if other "potential murderers" saw what an execution is REALLY like. Seeing is believing.

Mike