To Die or Not to Die?

If you are unaware of what transpired in Arizona early January 2011 with the shooting of a U.S. Congressman and many others, then you must have been visiting Mars at the time. The 22 year old gunman, Jared Loughner, now possibly facing the death penalty for his drastic deeds committed on that dark day in Arizona, poses to mount a defense of insanity.

If the defense works then Loughner would face placement in a mental health facility under the facade of incarceration. But if convicted of capital murder, including that of a 9 year old little girl, then he could face the death penalty.

Many people have probably asked who needs a trial? Everyone knows he did it. Just put him in prison and throw away the key. Others have no doubt uttered fry his ass and rid the world of the likes of this evil. But we know that our justice system is based on the fundamental of innocent until proven guilty.

Personally, I would like to see the death penalty remain in place in this particular case. Every life that was lost in Arizona was precious. Every life that is taken by an act of murder at anytime, under any circumstance, is precious. And while I do not agree to a blanket of death penalty for all murder, my heart is especially affected by the death of the 9 year old whose
life was cut so short.

For more information on the death penalty: See the following DEATH PENALTY INFORMATION CENTER
1015 18th Street NW, Suite 704
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 289 - 2275
Fax: (202) 289 - 7336
Email: dpic@deathpenaltyinfo.org
http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org

The Death Penalty Information Center has available more extensive reports on a variety of issues, including:
"The Death Penalty in 2009: Year-End Report" (December 2009)
“Smart on Crime: Reconsidering the Death Penalty in a Time of Economic Crisis” (October 2009)
“The Death Penalty in 2008: A Year End Report” (December 2008)
“A Crisis of Confidence: Americans' Doubts About the Death Penalty” (2007)
“Blind Justice: Juries Deciding Life and Death with Only Half the Truth” (2005)
“Innocence and the Crisis in the American Death Penalty” (2004)
“International Perspectives on the Death Penalty: A Costly Isolation for the U.S.” (1999)
“The Death Penalty in Black & White: Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Decides” (1998)
“Innocence and the Death Penalty: The Increasing Danger of Executing the Innocent” (1997)
“Killing for Votes: The Dangers of Politicizing the Death Penalty Process” (1996)
“Twenty Years of Capital Punishment: A Re-evaluation” (1996)
“With Justice for Few: The Growing Crisis in Death Penalty Representation” (1995)
“On the Front Line: Law Enforcement Views on the Death Penalty” (1995)
“The Future of the Death Penalty in the United States: A Texas-Sized Crisis”