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Hei5enberg t1_j226iak wrote

Reply to comment by P2PJones in Texas man appeals death sentence, stating Comedy Central episode violated his rights by djc8

Yea, sounds like the inmate is a piece of shit murderer but that doesn't mean his rights weren't violated...

When I was younger I used to be of the mindset that bad people(like murderers) didn't deserve to be treated like humans and I was a proponent of punishment(including the death penalty). As I have gotten older and the more I learn and understand about just how flawed our legal system is and how many incompetent cops and prosecutors are out there and how unreliable witnesses and evidence can be the more I have changed my views. Allowing ways to bypass rights and due process just opens up avenues for lazy cops and prosecutors to abuse our legal system even more than they currently do. If they do that to convict someone "everyone knows" is guilty that's one thing... but "beyond a reasonable doubt" needs to set that bar... not violating someones rights... otherwise, the risk to innocent people getting convicted is just too high.

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P2PJones t1_j22dzb2 wrote

>If they do that to convict someone "everyone knows" is guilty that's one thing...

yes, the WORST thing.

If 'everyone knows' it, why don't you have lots of properly acquired evidence to prove it.

At the witch trials 'everyone knew' they were a witch.

Remember, what 'everyone knows', is usually '100 bullshit'.

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Londonforce t1_j24bqw4 wrote

Just to be clear, the guy was found guilty without this tape (meaning they had evidence beyond reasonable doubt).

The tape was used during sentencing to determine what penalty he should get. The fact that he's a murderer is not in question.

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P2PJones t1_j25ylyy wrote

Correct, they used this tape, shown heavily out of context, to show the jury he had no remorse, lading to the death penalty.

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Londonforce t1_j2609sb wrote

Exactly, I'm just raising it because your points about the witch trials seemed to imply that he wasn't a convicted murderer. In this specific case his only options were to die in prison, the only thing for debate was how long he had to wait

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P2PJones t1_j27mnzz wrote

no, I was talking about the 'everyone knew', that's 'prejudicial', and can cause a mistrial. And no, He could have gotten as little as 20 years if I've read the court documents right. That's why the Prosecution went for this out of context video, to try and show a lack of regret.

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bob0979 t1_j22fniq wrote

It may be bullshit, it may not be but that's not up to hear say and gossip to decide, it's up to a clearly defined legal system to determine through a consistent process. As soon as it loses that consistency it stops being a useful process for its purpose (justice) and is now something else entirely (a tool for injustice).

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RoughConqureor t1_j249or5 wrote

I have no problem with the death penalty in theory. But like you said in practice the system is not good enough to make life and death decisions. Even if everyone involved is honorable and intelligent. (they aren’t) Even good cops lawyers and judges make mistakes.

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Tom_Bombadilio t1_j24vin7 wrote

Even if they don't execute them they are still making life or death decisions. Imprisonment of over 30 years (literal) is essentially a death penalty. Taking someone away from their family and withdrawing them from society for 30 years or more is essentially a death sentence. They come out as a felon with virtually no relevant skills and a rudimentary at best understanding of technology, in thier 50s minimum, most likely with a body feeling its age, unable to do hard labor. No one wants to hire them and they don't have the social skills or understanding of society to be successful and have lost the majority of their life already. Like congrats your free, now go struggle like the 20 year old fast food wage slaves for the rest of your existence until you decide to give up or act out.

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RoughConqureor t1_j27f40t wrote

Yes it can be harsh. But at least there is a chance of new evidence freeing the innocent.

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