Corporal Punishment or ‘The Death Penalty’, has been a topic of national debate for years, especially on a state-by-state basis. Now, after eight years since its last execution, Maryland is planning to become the 18th state to abolish the ultimate punishment. Democratic Governor Martin O’Malley has been pushing for this legislation since his very first year in office. If the Bill passes, convictions will be downgraded to life without the possibility of parole as the most severe sentence statewide.
The House advanced the legislation this week after delegates rejected nearly 20 amendments, mostly from Republicans, aimed at keeping capital punishment for the most heinous crimes.
Death Penalties have been a subject of divisiveness since its inception. Supporters of repeal argue that the death penalty is costly, error-prone, racially biased and a poor deterrent of crime. But supporters of the death penalty say it is a necessary tool to punish lawbreakers who commit the most egregious crimes.
So what about you? How do you weigh in on ending someone’s life? Personally, I’ve teetered from one end of the spectrum to the other. I had been one that didn’t believe in putting someone to death for any reasons but over the years, as more and more senseless murders occur, I’ve leaned more towards Death.
Let’s look at the Mass Murderer or even a Serial Killer as an example. As they are initiating the act of murder, it appears to me to be premeditated, meaning their intentions are to deliberately take someone’s life without hesitation. I’m sorry, but if they are non-remorseful in their actions against an innocent human being, why should we be remorseful in saving there’s? Kind of cold I know, but aren’t they being just as cold, callous and calculated?
We have to look at this decision seriously and very closely. I know there are cases where some convictions are questionable; racially biased, wrongful convictions, etc., but in cases that are absolute, non-questionable convictions where the defendant is beyond the shadow of a doubt guilty, then we should pull the hammer, flip the switch, insert the needle… whatever the method, say goodnight. Some advocates claim this to be a costly solution to evil. Well, how much does it cost to keep them imprisoned for life? I don’t know the answer to that but I’m sure there are some figures out there.
What I do know is everyone has an opinion on this matter. And just think of some of the most heinous murders and murderers of our time and tell me where you side on it:
- Charles Manson (Leader of Helter Skelter),
- the Menedez Brothers,
- David Berkowitz aka ‘Son of Sam’,
- Ted Bundy
- and now, a killer on trial for her very life currently, Jody Arias who killed her boyfriend by shooting him, stabbing him 29-times and slit his throat from ear to ear.
I know this debate will rage on, probably forever, but as Maryland attempts to be the 18th state to abolish the death penalty, families of those brutally and senselessly taken are left to wonder if justice is truly being served. Killing the killer will never bring back loved-ones but, sometimes, there is Justice in Satisfaction.
