|
Post by Californian on Jun 3, 2015 18:03:59 GMT -6
After three decades on death row, Texas inmate Bower executed
By Jon Herskovitz
Texas on Wednesday executed Lester Bower, one of the longest-serving inmates on the state's death row who had said he was wrongly convicted of killing four men in 1983 and had spent three decades trying to halt his capital punishment.
Bower was pronounced dead at 6:36 p.m. CDT after being given a lethal injection at the state's death chamber in Huntsville, a prisons official said.
A former chemical salesman with two children, Bower became the oldest death row inmate put to death in Texas since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976. The state has executed 526 people in the period, the most of any state.
A few hours before the execution, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a last-minute appeal filed by lawyers for Bower, who had already faced imminent execution six times, according to court papers.
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Jun 2, 2015 17:07:40 GMT -6
Enough whining. Get on with it.
|
|
|
Post by Californian on May 21, 2015 21:26:45 GMT -6
Invade the EU? It's been done. Ask your grandparents. Don't make us come over there again.
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Apr 23, 2015 8:07:15 GMT -6
Interesting piece for Boston Globe writer Jeff Jacoby.
Death or Life for Tsarnaev? Jeff Jacoby 4/22/2015 11:54:00 AM - Jeff Jacoby
THE PENALTY phase of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's trial is underway, and federal prosecutors have been getting some well-publicized advice about the penalty they should seek for the Boston Marathon terrorist.
In a statementfeatured on the Boston Globe's front page last week, the parents of 8-year-old Martin Richard — the youngest victim murdered by the Tsarnaev brothers — said they would be in favor of the Justice Department "taking the death penalty off the table" in exchange for a life sentence and the waiver of any right of appeal. On Monday, the Globe spotlighted a similar call by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes, newlyweds who both lost legs in the 2013 bombing.
To their credit — and in keeping with the grace and decency they have shown from the beginning of this terrible ordeal — Bill and Denise Richard emphasize that they speak only for themselves. Kensky and Downes likewise acknowledge that their views are theirs alone, and "promise to continue to listen thoughtfully to opposing views as this public discourse continues." Prosecutors, for their part, have responded with compassion and courtesy. US Attorney Carmen Ortiz said she cares deeply about the views of the Richards, just as she does about those of other survivors and victims she has heard from, on all sides of the issue.
But the prosecutors' job is not to carry out the wishes of victims and their families. It is to bring the murderer to justice. And in our legal system, justice requires a fair trial, an impartial judge, and a jury to weigh the evidence and come to a considered verdict — in short, due process of law. The desire to let a criminal's fate be decided by those he harmed most directly can be overwhelming. But "justice" without due process is perilous. Leave punishment in the hands of victims and their kin, and the results are often blood feuds and revenge killings and vigilante violence.
The prosecution of the marathon bomber is styled "United States v. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev" precisely to make clear that it is the interests of the public that are to be vindicated. The crimes committed by Tsarnaev were horrific. The suffering he inflicted on so many innocent human beings was unspeakable. No one with a heart begrudges the survivors their right to express an opinion — any opinion — about the penalty the guilty man should be made to pay.
But in a civilized society, that penalty must be fashioned by the public, not by victims. The ongoing anguish of survivors may bring us to tears. We may be stirred beyond words by the dignity with which they bear their losses. We may yearn for them to be granted whatever they think will bring them closure and peace of mind.
Nonetheless, the survivors don't get a vote. Only the jurors do — jurors empaneled in the first place only after elaborate scrutiny and questioning to be sure they aren't biased. It goes to the very essence of due process that victims, or anyone with a personal connection to a case, not be permitted to render a verdict or to determine how guilt should be punished.
Inevitably, the prosecution of Tsarnaev has been tangled with the never-ending debate about capital punishment. All the familiar compass points of that debate have been represented. There are those who think that execution is the only just response to a massacre so cruel and heinous; those who are convinced that life in prison would be an even more excruciating fate; those who believe that the death penalty is never justified, regardless of the crime. Some argue that letting Tsarnaev live would amount to an ongoing mockery of his victims. Others claim that putting him to death would reward him with the "martyrdom" he craves. Everyone is entitled to a point of view, no matter how emotional or irrational or whimsical. In the court of public opinion no attitude is out of bounds, and there are no rules to determine which arguments prevail.
But in the federal courthouse on the South Boston waterfront where Tsarnaev's destiny is being decided, there are rules aplenty. Each one is meant to ensure a verdict grounded not in rage or revenge, but in fairness and integrity. Tsarnaev will not be sentenced to death unless 12 jurors unanimously agree that that is what justice requires. He may deserve no more than the wanton brutality he showed his victims. What he will get instead is due process of law.
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Apr 20, 2015 21:31:52 GMT -6
With nitrogen execution would the body parts still be viable for those who are on the list for transplants? No.
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Apr 16, 2015 12:41:43 GMT -6
If he was raised wrong abused, his Mom seeing him be executed should feel so much guilt. Wonder if she does? Maybe she just wanted to make sure he was dead.
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Apr 14, 2015 12:56:38 GMT -6
I've had nitrogen narcosis during a dive in a deep gravel pit and I had to be rescued by my dive buddies. I can remember not understanding why they were so worked up and worried, I felt great. As you would after a small splif and a couple of shots of rum. Although remembering it now still gives me a fright. Nitrogen narcosis and asphyxiation by nitrogen gas (or any other gas that excludes oxygen) are not the same thing.
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Mar 27, 2015 22:04:24 GMT -6
Maybe, until they start killing others again while contained, or by escape. It would be cruel/ senseless/ barbaric, to keep them contained to natural death for those who are hardwired with killer instinct. Round them up and ship them to Detroit. They'll be solid citizens (and vote Democratic) in no time.
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Mar 18, 2015 9:12:06 GMT -6
Instead of a traditional Irish feast for his last meal, Cecil Clayton requested fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, and cola. Except for the cola, a relatively healthy meal. Probably watching his cholesterol.
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Mar 17, 2015 22:20:56 GMT -6
Clayton has been executed. Ya don't say? Hey, what's for dinner?
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Feb 24, 2015 17:57:55 GMT -6
Has anyone notified Hotsnot that a new Death Row fat chick is available for fawning correspondence?
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Feb 7, 2015 21:06:12 GMT -6
The prosecution needs to prove guilt beyond doubt - No. The standard is beyond a reasonable doubt.
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Feb 1, 2015 10:30:40 GMT -6
Again, so what? Anyone is free to allege anything. Further, the "litigation exception" disallows any civil action for libel and/or slander in court pleadings. Bummer for Alan, huh?
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Feb 1, 2015 10:22:45 GMT -6
Have never been comfortable with the "Law of Parties", but I think Newbury is gone. He will be the fourth of the Texas 7. Harper, suicide before capture, Rivas and Rodriguez both executed. "On December 24, 2000, in Irving, Newbury and six co-defendants fatally shot Irving Police Officer Aubrey Hawkins, 31, while on escape from the Texas Correctional Connally Unit. Accomplices Joseph Garcia, Randy Halprin, Patrick Murphy, George Rivas and Michael Rodriguez were all sentenced to death." Texas has their LI going without problems and Newbury participated in an intricate escape, so no IQ problems. Killed a cop in Texas? I agree, I think he's toasted a rich shade of golden brown.
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Jan 29, 2015 10:39:34 GMT -6
He has an impairment alright, evil to the bone. And the State of Texas has the cure: 5 grams of nembutal IV push.
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Jan 26, 2015 19:50:12 GMT -6
Reagan gutted mental health treatment, which swept them into jails, prisons & homeless on the streets. Ironic" Reagan in 1981 was shot by a man suffering from mental illness. !!! Actually, it was the Donaldson decision by SCOTUS on the mentally ill that did so. The case was brought by the lead counsel for the ACLU. This resulted in much of the chaos you describe above, because formerly institutionalized persons who were unable to care for themselves could not be confined confined against their wills. "A State cannot constitutionally confine a non-dangerous individual who is capable of surviving safely in freedom by themselves or with the help of willing and responsible family members or friends." supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/422/563/case.html
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Jan 26, 2015 19:36:50 GMT -6
The 'tard card is just one of the pages in the standard DP offense. It amazes me how stupid these people become when the gurney looms.
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Jan 16, 2015 10:04:06 GMT -6
...
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Jan 16, 2015 10:03:54 GMT -6
Speaking of guns, I took a test of what gun would fit your personality best? Test result was, 1911.45 ACP. Use something smaller. The 1911 is quite a handful for a novice (assuming you are.) It's nice to have the knockdown power of the .45 ACP when the chips are down, but accuracy counts more. Generally too large for a lady's hand, too. Think 9MM.
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Jan 14, 2015 13:45:29 GMT -6
Are you sure he didn't die of cholesterol poisoning after that last meal?
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Jan 11, 2015 22:27:39 GMT -6
Hi californian. - why do you use inults? - it seems to be a fact that a black person in America is about 6 times more likley to be murdered, than a white person - if you think this number is embarrassing for me I dont quite follow you. Because it's fun and entertaining, and makes most here laugh at you. Here's a hint-there are more blacks in prison than their per capita numbers would seem to statistically correlate because they commit crimes on a per capita basis all out of proportion to their percentage of the population. Can't you read your own graph, or you truly not understand that most of the black murderers' victims are black, as well? An American liberal (or "progressive," as they now style themselves) would call you a racist for pointing that out, by the way.
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Jan 11, 2015 19:27:47 GMT -6
Don' Shoot Nils, knowing you to be the smarmy leftist ninny you are, aren't you just a tad embarrassed to post a chart showing that blacks commit murder at 4-5 times the rate of whites? (Even if it happens to be true?) I mean, nils, isn't that just a tad racist? Hmmm? Also, a collateral question: Do you think it has any relevance that two of the countries in your chart got their azzes kicked for fair by the U.S. in WWII?
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Jan 4, 2015 20:30:44 GMT -6
This was a question by the way. It's rude to just ignore it. OK, fair enough. If it's "rude," let me ask-weren't you previously on this board as Matthew5v38, and were in fact banned under that screen name? Second question: Are you aware that registering under a different name after being banned is against the rules of the board?
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Dec 25, 2014 13:13:54 GMT -6
The forum used to be quite active though. You mean, when you were here as Matthew5V38?
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Nov 23, 2014 11:08:30 GMT -6
Perfectly reasonable, I think.
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Oct 28, 2014 22:58:22 GMT -6
scheduled execution
BON TERRE, MO (KTVI) – A convicted rapist and murderer is spared from a scheduled execution. Mark Christeson killed a mother and her two children. Now, the state of Missouri is told to put the execution on hold. Some say the death row inmate should be given a second chance. Others say he’s mentally disabled and his attorney’s failed him miserably. The U.S. Supreme Court has granted a stay, preventing the execution of Mark Christeson. “We were told by the Missouri Attorney General’s office at about 9:40 tonight that this execution was not going to take place,” said Missouri Department of Corrections spokesman Mike O’Connell.
A group of former judges led the charge for a stay. They argued Christeson’s attorneys failed him miserably in a number of ways, including missing a deadline that prevented any federal appeal.
“This is something that’s going to have to be taken up in the courts,” said O’Connell. He said Missouri’s execution warrants are good for a time period of 24 hours. “This is not the kind of thing that’s going to be cleared up in that time frame, so there will be no execution of this gentleman.”?
Some say Christeson is mentally disabled. A group of former judges has even requested a stay. Part of their concern is how Christeson’s defense was handled. They say his attorneys were incompetent. Those attorneys missed a deadline for filing an appeal.
Chirsteson was convicted of the murders of Susan Brouk and her two children, Adrian, 12 and Kyle, 9. Prosecutors said Christeson and a cousin broke into Brouk’s home, tied up her children, and raped Brouk. The family lived near Vichy, Mo.
According to court documents, Brouk’s throat was slashed but was still alive when her son’s throat was slashed. Kyle was held under pond water until he drowned. Adrian was choked and tossed in a pond. Christeson and his cousin then tossed Brouk’s body into the water.
Prosecutor Terry Daley Schwartze filed the original charge. “This was a wonderful woman, fine young woman raising her two children and the children were sweet and good,” said Schwartze. “They just were total victims, and it’s just so very sad.”
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Sept 17, 2014 12:02:03 GMT -6
Federal court declines to stop Texas woman's execution
HUNTSVILLE, Texas -
A federal appeals court has refused to stop this week's scheduled execution of a North Texas woman for the starvation and torture death of her lover's 9-year-old son a decade ago.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected appeals Tuesday from lawyers for 38-year-old Lisa Coleman.
She's scheduled for lethal injection Wednesday in Huntsville.
Paramedics responding to a 911 call from an apartment in Arlington found Davontae Williams on a bathroom floor and first thought he was about 3 to 5 years old. He weighed only 36 pounds.
Evidence showed the 9-year-old had been restrained repeatedly, kept in a closet away from food and suffered more than 250 distinct injuries.
His mother and Coleman's partner, Marcella Williams, took a plea deal and is serving a life prison term.
Copyright 2014 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Sept 17, 2014 11:47:41 GMT -6
...I wasn't the only one willing to take on the world ... Honeybunch, if you decide to take on the world, I feel sorry for the world.
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Sept 15, 2014 12:36:03 GMT -6
Heck, not to mention many inside have, HIV, Hep, scepticemia & other infections. Self tattoo's in prison yuck!!! While you are correct, I think the presence in the blood sera of a 10x lethal overdose of seconal, versed, or whatever is of much more immediate concern.
|
|
|
Post by Californian on Sept 14, 2014 8:05:34 GMT -6
I believe we should Execute Murderers in a way that benefits society. I believe we should drain the blood of a Convicted murderer and give the Blood to the Red Cross and donate/sell the organs(giving the money to surviving family members of the victims). Draining the blood causes no pain/. You mean, the blood and organs of those we've just loaded up with 10x lethal doses of narcotics? Boy, there's some bright thinking right there!
|
|