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Post by bryan on Apr 19, 2005 12:43:57 GMT -6
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals halted one of the two executions set for Wednesday when it granted a reprieve to condemned inmate Milton Mathis, whose lawyers contended may be mentally retarded.
Mathis, 26, was to have been the second of two convicted killers to receive lethal injection Wednesday evening. He was convicted of the fatal shootings of two men at a Houston crack house in December 1998.
In a short five-paragraph order, the court today said arguments about Mathis' mental retardation should be reviewed by his trial court in Fort Bend County.
The U.S. Supreme Court in 2002 barred the execution of the mentally retarded.
Mathis' attorneys also contended his execution, if carried out, would violate his rights unless he could get a full hearing on the claims of mental retardation.
Still scheduled to die Wednesday is Douglas Roberts, 42, for the abduction and fatal stabbing of a San Antonio man in 1996.
The double execution would have been the first in Texas in nearly five years and just the fourth time there's been a multiple execution on a single day in the state since executions resumed here in 1982.
Roberts, at his request, had no appeals pending in the courts to try to stop his punishment. It would be the fifth execution of the year in Texas.
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Post by Rev. Agave on Apr 19, 2005 12:55:44 GMT -6
No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by bryan on Apr 19, 2005 12:59:20 GMT -6
No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yeah but it looks like Douglas Roberts will be executed
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Post by Rev. Agave on Apr 19, 2005 13:00:50 GMT -6
yeah but it looks like Douglas Roberts will be executed Yeah, but its just not the same as a double.
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Post by beej76 on Apr 19, 2005 13:01:10 GMT -6
No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know - it's terrible - we need to execute people quicker so that there's no chance to find justiable reasons not to execute them. He might be mentally retarded, but not if he's dead! (sorry, I can get a little sarcastic now and then).
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Post by Rev. Agave on Apr 19, 2005 13:06:00 GMT -6
I know - it's terrible - we need to execute people quicker so that there's no chance to find justiable reasons not to execute them. He might be mentally retarded, but not if he's dead! (sorry, I can get a little sarcastic now and then). You don't understand, this was going to be a Texas double!! Not one, but 2 executions only hours apart! I had big plans in the works. Duces only happen about once every five or so years
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Post by beej76 on Apr 19, 2005 13:19:39 GMT -6
You don't understand, this was going to be a Texas double!! Not one, but 2 executions only hours apart! I had big plans in the works. Duces only happen about once every five or so years You know me - I'm very sad for you - I mean, what are you going to do with your evening? I feel for you man, I really do.
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Post by bryan on Apr 19, 2005 13:20:27 GMT -6
Yeah, but its just not the same as a double. yeah, i know how you feel...dont wanna be greedy so i'll take roberts execution...i am sure there will be another double execution in the future thoe
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Post by beej76 on Apr 19, 2005 13:23:34 GMT -6
yeah, i know how you feel...dont wanna be greedy so i'll take roberts execution...i am sure there will be another double execution in the future thoe You know, we can only pray and hope. It's very exciting - I think what would help increase the odds is if the murder rate would spike in Texas - and we could get more people on death row. Then, there's sure to be more of these momentous occasions - the real chance of ofting numerous people at once. The thrill! The delight! Oh how fun! (It's sad I can't post it just like this - but for the folks on this site who don't know me yet, I'm being sarcastic).
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Post by bryan on Apr 19, 2005 13:32:16 GMT -6
You know, we can only pray and hope. It's very exciting - I think what would help increase the odds is if the murder rate would spike in Texas - and we could get more people on death row. Then, there's sure to be more of these momentous occasions - the real chance of ofting numerous people at once. The thrill! The delight! Oh how fun! (It's sad I can't post it just like this - but for the folks on this site who don't know me yet, I'm being sarcastic). you would'nt happen to be in texas, would ya? ;D
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Post by beej76 on Apr 19, 2005 13:34:33 GMT -6
you would'nt happen to be in texas, would ya? ;D No, thank goodness,no - though I have to go to Texas next month for work. I'm going to a Rangers game. Unfortunately, the schedule doesn't appear to have any promotions - like "post game execution night" or "sit in old sparky for an inning". It's very disappointing. If I'm going to go to Texas, I wish I could see what the state is best known for!
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Post by Rev. Agave on Apr 19, 2005 13:34:47 GMT -6
You know, we can only pray and hope. It's very exciting - I think what would help increase the odds is if the murder rate would spike in Texas - and we could get more people on death row. Then, there's sure to be more of these momentous occasions - the real chance of ofting numerous people at once. The thrill! The delight! Oh how fun! (It's sad I can't post it just like this - but for the folks on this site who don't know me yet, I'm being sarcastic). As a native of MN, what would be wrong with juicing Donald Blom and Alfonzo Rodrigeze (however you spell it) on the same day? Like it or not, the crowds would go wild and society would be cleansed of these creeps. I am not trying to be morbid, but justice demands executions, and justice should be celebrated. I know I am starting to sound like Joseph Phillips, but the man is quite sharp, and his logic is profoundly persuasive.
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Post by beej76 on Apr 19, 2005 13:48:52 GMT -6
As a native of MN, what would be wrong with juicing Donald Blom and Alfonzo Rodrigeze (however you spell it) on the same day? Like it or not, the crowds would go wild and society would be cleansed of these creeps. I am not trying to be morbid, but justice demands executions, and justice should be celebrated. I know I am starting to sound like Joseph Phillips, but the man is quite sharp, and his logic is profoundly persuasive. You're losing me with the Joey comments - he has a good mind, but really does a good job keeping the argument in his comfort zone - when he gets outside of that, his logic isn't quite as impressive. He's a smart guy - I generally like him - but he's so cold, without regards for others at all - that I have a hard time with him (sometimes, not always). Anyways - if the DP's purpose is for public entertainment, I think that's a great idea - but the truth is, we have an alternative that works well for Minnesota, and most Minnesotan's like it. Society is cleansed of these creeps, in my opinion, more so than if they were on dr. We've locked them up and thrown away the keys. The "crime" isn't lived over and over again. If they were on death row, the crime would be relived every step of the appeals process and again at the execution. I'm glad the state is putting more money into tracking sexual offendors than dumping the money into the dp.
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Post by Rev. Agave on Apr 19, 2005 13:54:40 GMT -6
You're losing me with the Joey comments - he has a good mind, but really does a good job keeping the argument in his comfort zone - when he gets outside of that, his logic isn't quite as impressive. He's a smart guy - I generally like him - but he's so cold, without regards for others at all - that I have a hard time with him (sometimes, not always). Anyways - if the DP's purpose is for public entertainment, I think that's a great idea - but the truth is, we have an alternative that works well for Minnesota, and most Minnesotan's like it. Society is cleansed of these creeps, in my opinion, more so than if they were on dr. We've locked them up and thrown away the keys. The "crime" isn't lived over and over again. If they were on death row, the crime would be relived every step of the appeals process and again at the execution. I'm glad the state is putting more money into tracking sexual offendors than dumping the money into the dp. executions only cost about $86. Its the appeals process that needs to be reduced. The crime is lived over an over again because it takes years to juice the DR inmates. I am not saying we should do away with appeals, as they are very necessary. But it is frivoilous appeals such as sane people claiming to be retarded that eats-up the time and money. Also, one could argue that the DP is more about ritual purification than entertainment.
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Post by beej76 on Apr 19, 2005 13:58:06 GMT -6
executions only cost about $86. Its the appeals process that needs to be reduced. The crime is lived over an over again because it takes years to juice the DR inmates. I am not saying we should do away with appeals, as they are very necessary. But it is frivoilous appeals such as sane people claiming to be retarded that eats-up the time and money. Also, one could argue that the DP is more about ritual purification than entertainment. Oh, I agree with you - I just don't see that ever changing. Heck, when Pawlenty (who's trying to please Bush and the republicans whenever he can) proposed bringing the DP back, you should have seen all the oversight and appeals he built in to make sure the system was fullproof.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2005 14:52:55 GMT -6
I should know better, two executions on the same day was too good to be true. Good things don't come along easy, you know.
I hope they keep at least Douglas execution, not as fun as two executions, but it is better than nothing.
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Post by Rev. Agave on Apr 19, 2005 14:58:37 GMT -6
I should know better, two executions on the same day was too good to be true. Good things don't come along easy, you know. I hope they keep at least Douglas execution, not as fun as two executions, but it is better than nothing. I guess. Its kinda like going to a concert and finding out that one of the opening bands you wanted to see is not going to play. Too bad they can't get someone to take his place.
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Post by josephdphillips on Apr 19, 2005 15:12:09 GMT -6
As a native of MN, what would be wrong with juicing Donald Blom and Alfonzo Rodrigeze (however you spell it) on the same day? Like it or not, the crowds would go wild and society would be cleansed of these creeps. I am not trying to be morbid, but justice demands executions, and justice should be celebrated. I know I am starting to sound like Joseph Phillips, but the man is quite sharp, and his logic is profoundly persuasive. Very kind words, thank you. If you think about my extreme statement for a moment, you'll see that I'm making a logical argument. If indeed an execution is not for the murderer's benefit, but for that of the commonweal, we ought to recognize and accept this benefit for what it is. When I was an anti, I thought it a bit hypocritical of proponents to demand death as punishment for murder and then attempt to sanitize the penalty in practice. An execution is, and always will be, a ritualized killing. If there is no mythological element, no symbolism, no psychic benefit to the public from the ritual, you might as well let the murdered victim's survivors decide how to punish the offender.
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Post by beej76 on Apr 19, 2005 15:13:18 GMT -6
I guess. Its kinda like going to a concert and finding out that one of the opening bands you wanted to see is not going to play. Too bad they can't get someone to take his place. Don't forget though, that instead of seeing good music in a fun atmosphere, you're instead watching a person get strapped to a board and legally killed by the government. It must be a heck of a lot of fun!
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Post by dio on Apr 19, 2005 15:18:40 GMT -6
Don't forget though, that instead of seeing good music in a fun atmosphere, you're instead watching a person get strapped to a board and legally killed by the government. It must be a heck of a lot of fun! I'm all for it,I saw Motorhead a few times,a good ol fashioned mutt getting the needle is bound to be more exciting than those guys were.If they'd allow coolers in the witness room I could definitely enjoy the show. ;D ;D ;D...Oh don't forget the pretzels we could drown out his wheezing with the crunch
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Post by beej76 on Apr 19, 2005 15:21:56 GMT -6
I'm all for it,I saw Motorhead a few times,a good ol fashioned mutt getting the needle is bound to be more exciting than those guys were.If they'd allow coolers in the witness room I could definitely enjoy the show. ;D ;D ;D...Oh don't forget the pretzels we could drown out his wheezing with the crunch Now, would this be in the same room as the family who had a loved one killed, and are trying to get some sense of closure - or would you do it in a different room?
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Post by Rev. Agave on Apr 19, 2005 15:22:07 GMT -6
Very kind words, thank you. If you think about my extreme statement for a moment, you'll see that I'm making a logical argument. If indeed an execution is not for the murderer's benefit, but for that of the commonweal, we ought to recognize and accept this benefit for what it is. When I was an anti, I thought it a bit hypocritical of proponents to demand death as punishment for murder and then attempt to sanitize the penalty in practice. An execution is, and always will be, a ritualized killing. If there is no mythological element, no symbolism, no psychic benefit to the public from the ritual, you might as well let the murdered victim's survivors decide how to punish the offender. Hey Joe! Question. Do you think that giving an inmate a final meal, swabing his arm before injecting the needle, and allowing him to make a final statement are also important parts of the ritual? I can see no ther reason why they would sanitize the injection.
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Post by josephdphillips on Apr 19, 2005 15:32:48 GMT -6
You're losing me with the Joey comments - he has a good mind, but really does a good job keeping the argument in his comfort zone - when he gets outside of that, his logic isn't quite as impressive. He's a smart guy - I generally like him - but he's so cold, without regards for others at all - that I have a hard time with him (sometimes, not always). Anyways - if the DP's purpose is for public entertainment, I think that's a great idea - but the truth is, we have an alternative that works well for Minnesota, and most Minnesotan's like it. Society is cleansed of these creeps, in my opinion, more so than if they were on dr. We've locked them up and thrown away the keys. The "crime" isn't lived over and over again. If they were on death row, the crime would be relived every step of the appeals process and again at the execution. I'm glad the state is putting more money into tracking sexual offendors than dumping the money into the dp. We have have been at loggerheads over the DP and I may have been overly short in my comments to you in particular, Beej. We were raised a different way. Also, I have looked into the eyes of a murderer. Perhaps you haven't. You might try it sometime and realize your natural instincts do have purpose. I don't know exactly what you mean by "comfort zone," but it sounds thinly complimentary. I do try to stick to the topic at hand, and wish to reign in tangential, irrelevant arguments about religion or economics. If you propose, as many do, that our courts ought to be guided by religious, sectarian opinion, make your case. My impression is, however, that you're a secularist. Also, if you are proposing that capital punishment were moral if it were cheaper to implement, make that case, too. My impression was that you find the death penalty morally wrong under all circumstances. You sound more sincere than others in the abolitionist movement, so when you make insincere comments, I get a little riled. I used to be an anti, and it irks me a little to see them throwing in the towel so easily.
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Post by dio on Apr 19, 2005 15:32:49 GMT -6
Now, would this be in the same room as the family who had a loved one killed, and are trying to get some sense of closure - or would you do it in a different room? It'd matter not to me which room we was in,heck let us go stand beside ol mutt face while he gets juiced.But if we're in the family room they're buying their own beer I mite party with them but I aint gonna make it as enjoyable for them as it is for me.BYOB Now if you refer to the MVS room well thats different drinks are on me.....party time at the WALLS in 14 days
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Post by beej76 on Apr 19, 2005 15:39:27 GMT -6
We have have been at loggerheads over the DP and I may have been overly short in my comments to you in particular, Beej. We were raised a different way. Also, I have looked into the eyes of a murderer. Perhaps you haven't. You might try it sometime and realize your natural instincts do have purpose. I don't know exactly what you mean by "comfort zone," but it sounds thinly complimentary. I do try to stick to the topic at hand, and wish to reign in tangential, irrelevant arguments about religion or economics. If you propose, as many do, that our courts ought to be guided by religious, sectarian opinion, make your case. My impression is, however, that you're a secularist. Also, if you are proposing that capital punishment were moral if it were cheaper to implement, make that case, too. My impression was that you find the death penalty morally wrong under all circumstances. You sound more sincere than others in the abolitionist movement, so when you make insincere comments, I get a little riled. I used to be an anti, and it irks me a little to see them throwing in the towel so easily. When you commented that I get a "hard on" for murdererers, you completely changed the way I had viewed you. There's a lot of people that I have wonderful debates with - I respect their opinions and understand how they feel. I learned that day that when push comes to shove, you'll make comments that aren't even tasteful in a junior high locker room.
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Post by josephdphillips on Apr 19, 2005 15:42:58 GMT -6
Hey Joe! Question. Do you think that giving an inmate a final meal, swabing his arm before injecting the needle, and allowing him to make a final statement are also important parts of the ritual? I can see no ther reason why they would sanitize the injection. Not really. It's actually a bit cruel, if you ask me. It's sort of like saying "Gee, sorry, we hate to do this. It hurts us more than it does you." The honorable thing to do is give the murderer several suicide options, so that he can take responsibility for his actions, accept his punishment and die like a man. To the extent he refuses to do either of those three, we can legitimately call him a mutt. As a man, I can't understand why other men would prevent this act of contrition on the part of the murderer.
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Post by josephdphillips on Apr 19, 2005 15:44:04 GMT -6
When you commented that I get a "hard on" for murdererers, you completely changed the way I had viewed you. There's a lot of people that I have wonderful debates with - I respect their opinions and understand how they feel. I learned that day that when push comes to shove, you'll make comments that aren't even tasteful in a junior high locker room. I could have said that differently, true. I apologize for that.
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Post by Baltimore on Apr 19, 2005 15:52:17 GMT -6
No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh no! Another DR came down with Sudden Onset Mental Retardation. Well, just tell me where I need to wheel in the cooler ;D ;D Douglas Roberts! C'mon down!!!
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Post by Rev. Agave on Apr 19, 2005 16:23:27 GMT -6
I viewed at his picture on the TDCJ site. How come it looks like he is wrapped in a blanked on his DR pic? Also, he sure doesn't look retarded. It says that he made it all the way through the 8th grade
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Post by snowy111 on Apr 19, 2005 16:29:15 GMT -6
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals halted one of the two executions set for Wednesday when it granted a reprieve to condemned inmate Milton Mathis, whose lawyers contended may be mentally retarded. Mathis, 26, was to have been the second of two convicted killers to receive lethal injection Wednesday evening. He was convicted of the fatal shootings of two men at a Houston crack house in December 1998. In a short five-paragraph order, the court today said arguments about Mathis' mental retardation should be reviewed by his trial court in Fort Bend County. The U.S. Supreme Court in 2002 barred the execution of the mentally retarded. Mathis' attorneys also contended his execution, if carried out, would violate his rights unless he could get a full hearing on the claims of mental retardation. Still scheduled to die Wednesday is Douglas Roberts, 42, for the abduction and fatal stabbing of a San Antonio man in 1996. The double execution would have been the first in Texas in nearly five years and just the fourth time there's been a multiple execution on a single day in the state since executions resumed here in 1982. Roberts, at his request, had no appeals pending in the courts to try to stop his punishment. It would be the fifth execution of the year in Texas. Somehow I knew when they put the serious mark by it that it wouldn't go through.
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