Parkland, Nikolas Cruz, and the Death Penalty

[Jayhawker Soule]

From the NPR article: A jury recommends life in prison for Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz

Speaking to the press after the verdict, family members of the victims expressed anger and frustration.

"I am disgusted with our legal system. I am disgusted with those jurors," said Ilan Alhadeff, the father of victim Alyssa Alhadeff. "That you can allow 17 dead and 17 others shot and wounded and not give the death penalty. What do we have the death penalty for? What is the purpose of it? You set a precedent today. You set a precedent for the next mass killing, that nothing happens to you. You'll get life in jail. I'm sorry – that is not OK. As a country we need to stand up and say that's not OK!"

"I pray that that animal suffers every day of his life in jail. And he should have a short life," Alhadeff added.

Cruz carried out the massacre on Valentine's Day in 2018. He was 19 at the time, and had been expelled from the school. He entered a school building through an unlocked side door and used an AR-15-style rifle to kill 14 students and three staff members, as well as wound 17 others.​

Hence the poll ...

 

[The Hammer]

One more death wont bring the other 17 back. IMO

But I am torn between life in prison and the death penalty.

But ever the pragmatist, I think life in jail is cheaper then the death penalty.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

One more death wont bring the other 17 back. IMO

But I am torn between life in prison and the death penalty.

OK.

But ever the pragmatist, I think life in jail is cheaper then the death penalty.

What does that mean and why is cost relevant?

 

[The Hammer]

OK.


What does that mean and why is cost relevant?

Because whether the person stays in jail, or death penalty. It's all paid for by us (taxpayer). The fiscally responsible thing is to go the cheaper route.

 

[Twilight Hue]

From the NPR article: A jury recommends life in prison for Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz

Speaking to the press after the verdict, family members of the victims expressed anger and frustration.

"I am disgusted with our legal system. I am disgusted with those jurors," said Ilan Alhadeff, the father of victim Alyssa Alhadeff. "That you can allow 17 dead and 17 others shot and wounded and not give the death penalty. What do we have the death penalty for? What is the purpose of it? You set a precedent today. You set a precedent for the next mass killing, that nothing happens to you. You'll get life in jail. I'm sorry – that is not OK. As a country we need to stand up and say that's not OK!"

"I pray that that animal suffers every day of his life in jail. And he should have a short life," Alhadeff added.

Cruz carried out the massacre on Valentine's Day in 2018. He was 19 at the time, and had been expelled from the school. He entered a school building through an unlocked side door and used an AR-15-style rifle to kill 14 students and three staff members, as well as wound 17 others.​

Hence the poll ...

I still say the victims family and friends should decide his fate one way or the other. Not a jury panel composed of strangers.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Because whether the person stays in jail, or death penalty. It's all paid for by us (taxpayer). The fiscally responsible thing is to go the cheaper route.

So, from your perspective, the issue is neither ethical nor evidential but, rather, simply one of cost accounting.

 

[The Hammer]

I still say the victims family and friends should decide his fate one way or the other. Not a jury panel composed of strangers.

Too much emotion involved that way for justice to be appropriately served. It must be blind and w/o emotion.

 

[Orbit]

In my opinion, death is easy. Life in prison is not. I think life in prison is the better punishment.

 

[The Hammer]

So, from your perspective, the issue is neither ethical nor evidential but, rather, simply one of cost accounting.

Moral/ethical accounting is still cost accounting too.

I gave a pragmatic answer and also said one way or the other, I go back and forth (life/death).

What good does killing another do? But make us murderers as well right?

 

[The Hammer]

In my opinion, death is easy. Life in prison is not. I think life in prison is the better punishment.

Yup.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Too much emotion involved that way for justice to be appropriately served. It must be blind and w/o emotion.

For something that heinous and horrible, I'd gladly give the victims priority in deciding for themselves. Maybe a proper cooldown period before passing their judgment would be appropriate.

 

[Twilight Hue]

In my opinion, death is easy. Life in prison is not. I think life in prison is the better punishment.

Also hideously expensive for the taxpayers.

 

[The Hammer]

For something that heinous and horrible, I'd gladly give the victims priority in deciding for themselves. Maybe a proper cooldown period before passing their judgment would be appropriate.

No cool down is long enough to be an appropriate time to null the void left by the death of a child or family member.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Too much emotion involved that way for justice to be appropriately served.

Far better to simple sit back, establish the average daily cost to feed the prisoner, estimate the number of days in prison, adjust for inflation, ...

Seriously, do you hear yourself?

 

[The Hammer]

Also hideously expensive for the taxpayers.

Death penalty costs more.

Costs | Death Penalty Information Center

 

[England my lionheart]

I voted that I do not support the recommendation and imo the punishment should be death,it’s beyond doubt he committed the crime,you reap what you sow,the hard part is who pulls the trigger,presses the syringes or pulls the lever.

It can be argued that the death penalty will not bring the victims back but it will bring some closer to the families imo.

 

[The Hammer]

Far better to simple sit back, establish the average daily cost to feed the prisoner, estimate the number of days in prison, adjust for inflation, ...

Seriously, do you hear yourself?

Of course I do. The Justice system is not the place for emotion to reign supreme. It's a time for cool heads and level thoughts.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Of course I do. The Justice system is not the place for emotion to reign supreme. It's a time for cool heads and level thoughts.

FWIW, I'm done with you ...

 

[England my lionheart]

Because whether the person stays in jail, or death penalty. It's all paid for by us (taxpayer). The fiscally responsible thing is to go the cheaper route.

I can’t see how you can see financial cost in this,the victims paid with their lives.

 

[The Hammer]

FWIW, I'm done with you ...

Mmk