Since I would be inclined to bet that most of my readers are pretty much saturated with political readings, I decided to take an off-beat path and get your feedback on a rather interesting (and non-election-related!) situation.
This is the lead sentence to an article I just came across:
Dozens of Missouri Department of Corrections staff members are urging Gov. Mike Parson to grant clemency to a man scheduled to die in April for killing his cousin and her husband, with a former warden calling him a “model inmate.”
The article goes on to talk about how this man has stayed out of trouble and been respectful of the prison staff, as well as fellow inmates. In addition, a former warden wrote that he was a “model inmate” and had even been allowed to serve as a barber and cut hair for prisoners, as well as officers — and even this warden.
His crime? He was convicted in the 2006 killings of his cousin and her husband. The article doesn’t go into any detail related to the specifics of the murder, but apparently he was “experiencing drug psychosis the night of the crime and thus incapable of deliberation” — the requisite intent for capital murder in Missouri.
Interestingly, one of his other cousins is also opposing the execution — which is scheduled for April 9th.
Now that you have the background, here is my question:
Does the fact this man is a “model prisoner” make a difference? Or is the crime itself (murder) sufficient reason for his execution?
IMPORTANT POINT: I am NOT –repeat, NOT— asking for opinions on the use of the death penalty. I’m simply interested in whether you think this prisoner’s conduct justifies clemency in a state that does support the death penalty.
In other words, considering that two people were murdered, does the prison conduct of the murderer warrant clemency?
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Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay
Nan's Notebook 
If I were the governor, I would probably agree with the clemency.
But, then, I would never be governor.
I think I’ll stick to mathematics, and let somebody else make this decision.
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The victims are still dead. The crime is not mitigated by any subsequent behavior.
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Hard to give an opinion when I think it’s totally barbaric that prisoners can be kept for so long on death row, then still be executed. They have served a life sentence already.
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If “the requisite intent for capital murder in Missouri” was not met, the penalty for capital murder does not apply. The moral argument for or against the death penalty (in this case) is made irrelevant by the legal criterion.
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I agree. The defense attorney does have a point. But why wasn’t this brought up before now? The man has been in prison for 18 years.
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I just had a thought that is not part of the stated case but it brought up another question …
What if the reason behind this person becoming a “model inmate” was because he had “accepted Christ”? In your opinion, would/should this play a role in the governor’s decision?
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My answer would be the same in Missouri, but I presume you’re talking about a similar case in a state which does not have a “requisite intent” provision. While I am neither a Christian nor a doctrinaire opponent of capital punishment in every case, in this case I’d grant clemency because he is (presumably) no longer a repeat-offender threat, is (presumably) repentant, and, perhaps more importantly, is (presumably) no longer the same person he was in 2006 — in the same sense that I’m not the same person I was when I was young and immature.
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Interesting perspective. I tend to think one would need to look closely at the “presumably” actions before making a firm decision. IOW, the incarcerated individual would definitely need to manifest the changes you mention over an extended period of time before offering any respite from a death sentence.
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I would focus more on the crime than his behaviour after conviction. And I would also be interested to know if he has shown genuine remorse, or just making life easier for himself in prison.
But we have not had the death penalty in Britain since 1969, and that was further ratified for all crimes in 1998. The last executions for any crime in the UK were in 1964. So after 60 years, it has become an alien concept here.
(Despite many calling for it to be reinstated, it has never got to a parliamentary vote)
Best wishes, Pete.
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There are a number of pros and cons on either side. One wonders (since most of us will never experience it!) whether life in lockup or an anticipated death is the worse punishment.
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that’s kinda my feeling as well, Nan. Decades in high security prison? not for me. Just get it over with. But i am not a “life at any cost” person, tbh
As for this case, given that he probably should not have been sentenced to death anyway per the law, commute to life sentence.
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Sure — but it does have to be geniune.
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Certainly! But maybe after nearly 20 years, this group of guards do feel it’s genuine.
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Perhasps he was telling the truth — He just had a terrible, terrible trip?
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If at least one of the persons who were close to the murdered couple, is willing to forgive the convict;
and:
– If the man is indeed not on drugs anymore;
and:
– If he is honestly remorseful;
Then I would grant him clemency.
Any sincere effort to avoid a death sentence will be justified by the benefit of any doubt.
[not sure if I have expressed myself correctly here, but hopefully readers will understand me].
Regards.
.&
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The law should be the same for all. Clemency is like a second trial, that this dude might get, while a nother person in a similar situation does not. A sick lottery of death. Clemency is more like a method for the society to tell itself a tale of how merciful it is, even when practicing barbaric sentences, like the capital punishment.
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And the thing is … two people are dead and had no chance of “clemency.”
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Hi. It depends on if you think people are set in stone at some point and never change. Do they become set at age 2? Age 10? Age 16? And you have to believe that once set, no one can ever change. A question to think about, is anyone here on this blog the same as they were even 20 years ago? Did no one here ever do something in their youth they are extremely glad no one today knows about? Hugs. Scottie.
No reply needed, or wanted.
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Scottie, you ask probing questions that might/could engender others to comment/discuss and then you add your last line … ???
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Hi Nan. Well you should recognize the “don’t bother to respond line”. Plus as I have discussed with you prior, people may reply if they so wish, but I won’t be replying to them. Per our emails on this subject. However, since it distresses you and I feel it should as I know I hate it if someone comments on my blog and then at the end says don’t bother to respond, I will glad leave that last line off. Best wishes. Hugs. Scottie
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