Another North Carolinian Dies Tonight
Yes, Steve McHone shot his mother and stepfather.
But that doesn't mean the State should kill him. Aside from all the usual reasons against the death penalty (it accomplishes nothing, it's murder, it doesn't deter murders, the guy's not a danger anymore).....
- his victim (mother) pled for his life before she died
- his brothers and sisters (the victim's family) have made their peace with him and don't want him to die
- the prosecutor says that - if it were a legal option under NC law at the time - he would only have sought life without parole, not death
- the prosecutor suppressed evidence that he may not have intended to kill (possibly weak evidence)
At this point, Mike would say "so it goes." I can only say my heart breaks.
But that doesn't mean the State should kill him. Aside from all the usual reasons against the death penalty (it accomplishes nothing, it's murder, it doesn't deter murders, the guy's not a danger anymore).....
- his victim (mother) pled for his life before she died
- his brothers and sisters (the victim's family) have made their peace with him and don't want him to die
- the prosecutor says that - if it were a legal option under NC law at the time - he would only have sought life without parole, not death
- the prosecutor suppressed evidence that he may not have intended to kill (possibly weak evidence)
At this point, Mike would say "so it goes." I can only say my heart breaks.
posted by Ben at
6:37 PM
1 Comments:
So it goes indeed. Personally, I think when the victims' families (and the victims when possible) say they do not want the prisoner to die, that should mean something.
I remain opposed to the death penalty. At least in part I have you to thank for that ;)
By
Mike, at 11/10/2005 7:40 PM
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