Alabama Death-Row Inmate Freed After Nearly 30 Years

 

Ray Hinton, 58, was released in the morning from the Jefferson County Jail in Birmingham. He hugged family members as he walked out, saying, "Thank you Jesus."

 

Hinton was convicted of the 1985 murders of two Birmingham fast-food restaurant managers. Crime scene bullets were the only evidence that linked Hinton to the crime. However, prosecutors said this week that modern forensic methods did not show the fatal bullets came from a revolver in Hinton's home, or even from the same gun.

I don't believe I can go so far as abolishing the death penalty. However, the standard has to be set so high that when someone is sentenced to death there is no doubt the convicted person committed the crime. With modern forensics we are getting very close to eliminating wrongful conviction, as is evidenced by this man's acquittal. However, I believe the crux of the death penalty is in the decision making process in the jury room and instructions to the jury. This is where instructions need to be simplified and standards set to the highest level before the death penalty can be imposed. Give the jurors a clear process to not impose the death penalty and I believe juries will impose the death penalty only where it clearly and truly should be imposed.

I don't believe I can go so far as abolishing the death penalty. However, the standard has to be set so high that when someone is sentenced to death there is no doubt the convicted person committed the crime. With modern forensics we are getting very close to eliminating wrongful conviction, as is evidenced by this man's acquittal. However, I believe the crux of the death penalty is in the decision making process in the jury room and instructions to the jury. This is where instructions need to be simplified and standards set to the highest level before the death penalty can be imposed. Give the jurors a clear process to not impose the death penalty and I believe juries will impose the death penalty only where it clearly and truly should be imposed.

 

The only way to eliminate any doubt is to have video evidence of the crime being committed.

 

And even then, death should not be an option. It's barbaric. The fact that so many wrongful convictions are being overturned, is proof that we as a country have screwed up far to many times with this. One wrongful execution is way too many.

Agree 100%, VOR.

The only way to eliminate any doubt is to have video evidence of the crime being committed.

 

And even then, death should not be an option. It's barbaric. The fact that so many wrongful convictions are being overturned, is proof that we as a country have screwed up far to many times with this. One wrongful execution is way too many.

 

If we're still cool with the death penalty, I have some other concepts from the middle ages I'd like to bring back...

The only way to eliminate any doubt is to have video evidence of the crime being committed.

 

And even then, death should not be an option. It's barbaric. The fact that so many wrongful convictions are being overturned, is proof that we as a country have screwed up far to many times with this. One wrongful execution is way too many.

 

No doubt mistakes have been made. I am in favor of a suspension and review of all death row criminal cases. Apply the same high standards I speak of above to the review process. I agree that we should err on the side of life over death.

 

The second part of your post deals with the moral argument, not the legal one. That is an even more challenging discussion. Every time someone is put to death we violate one of the ten commandments. How does a Christian resolve this "dilemma"?

Not a dilemma. As individuals we are to have compassion and love for others.

The judicial system, on the other hand, is necessary to incorporate and enforce laws. Otherwise you have no "civilization;" there must be judgment for those who break laws.

Our judicial system is the best in the world. But it is not without its flaws.

 

Only if there were a way to ensure 100% accuracy in witness accounts, evidence integrity and prosecutorial and judicial impartiality would I ever be on board with the death penalty from a strictly objective perspective.

 

From a moral perspective, I will never be on board.

Not a dilemma. As individuals we are to have compassion and love for others.

The judicial system, on the other hand, is necessary to incorporate and enforce laws. Otherwise you have no "civilization;" there must be judgment for those who break laws.

 

I agree, there must be laws and judgment to enforce the laws against those who break them.

 

Civilized societies don't murder (whether legally or not) other human beings. Murder creates chaos and havoc, it isn't civilized. As soon as you accept and approve of the killing of another, society is no longer civilized.

If we're still cool with the death penalty, I have some other concepts from the middle ages I'd like to bring back...

 

 

 

That doesn't look cozy at all...