Quote:
Originally Posted by Grumpy
Yes or no. Where do you stand ?
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I don't think there can be a simple yes or no answer; too many variables but if you mean do I have an absolute moral block on taking anyone's life, I would say no, but subject to all of the following.
I). Enough forensic evidence to of itself secure a conviction for a lesser crime.
2). Enough circumstantial evidence as above.
3). Full confession made in the presence of his/her lawyer. Any confession made without the
lawyer present to be unacceptable in Court.
4). Death penalty to be automatically commuted to life (meaning full life)
imprisonment. At any time, the 'criminal' can opt for voluntary euthanasia.
I think 4) is important. If innocent, would the accused take their own life or go for appeal after appeal after appeal, knowing that if/when it's successful, damages awarded would be considerable?
I know that like Liza's bucket the above has more than its fair share of holes, but it's the best I can do.
Anomaly? The state already does this, sometimes on a grand scale. When the U.S.A. and the U.K. bombed Baghdad, we were exacting capital punishment not just on its military, but on any innocent men, women or children who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. By and large, the people we were not punishing were the politicians. Whatever they were, they weren't stupid; most were long gone.