I think he chose the firing squuad for the drama of it. He could have gone quietly, humanely, by lethal injection. I don't believe in the death penalty-that is up to God, not us mere humans, even courts and judges and juries. I think there should be a sentence of mandatory life in prison, bo early discharge, no mercy, no parole, no probation, no nuthin.

The convict has the right to choose their method of execution in Utah. He chose the firing squad.

Linda

After thinking about it, I don't see why its any more harsh. In fact it would be easier to put into action and once its done I would think it would be as final as the victims end. What's humane about the convicts cold blooded murder, I wonder? I don't have even a small problem with this type of execution.

They say that option is the most humane

I say he got what he asked for. Now, I don't know
how anyone could be a member of that squad -- but on the
other hand,they never know which one of them shot the lethal bullet.

I don't believe in the death penalty per se -- but for
a child molester/killer - I could pull the switch myself.
For them - all forms of reason are off for me.

He requested it. Fine with me. I agree with Toni.

I have mixed emotions. Sometimes I think death is too kind. I can't imagine spending the rest of ones life in jail. However, sometimes the crime is so heinous that I think if you are 100 percent sure, the perpetrator should be put to death by the same means they killed their victim.....an eye for an eye.

News that I heard was that he requested the firing squad because he murdered with a gun, and thought it was fitting for him.

I'm opposed to the death penalty in all cases. Permanent life in prison seems like far worse punishment, and it lasts as long as you do. After all, once you're dead, you're dead!

Yes, it was his choice. Good for him.

I am not opposed to the death penalty but I think I'd rather see the most heinous criminals (murderers, child molesters) be forced to live the rest of their lives in a maximum security, hard labor, bread and water, prison.

Death is to easy for them.

He chose the method as was his right in that state. As to the shooters that's their job.

I heard on the news they (the shooters) are all going to receive commemorative commendation medals for their "service". I thought that was unnecessary and over the top. It's their job. Never heard of the ones who put the needle in,push the button, flip the switch or pull the lever getting a medal.

One day this week when I was at lunch, I was sitting near enough to two folks to easily hear their conversation. One was telling the other that several years ago, because of her job at the time, she had to go into one of the prisons. She said that she was shocked to realize that the prisoners lived a better lifestyle than she did. She said most of the prisoners had televisions and computers in their cells; they get three hot meals a day; they get new clothes to wear (granted, not necessarily the "high style" anyone would choose, but they're new and at no cost to the prisoner); exercise equipment to use; health and dental care; and so on.

Convicts may have lost the right to vote, but many folks don't vote anyway. Other than that, it does often seem that prisoners have more rights, or at least their rights are more protected, than law-abiding folks.

Being in prison is supposed to be punishment. So, I don't think anyone in prison should have computers or televisions, etc.

My main objection to the death penalty (other than the possibility of an innocent person having been wrongly convicted, but that's a whole 'nother issue) is the amount of taxpayer money that is spent on all of the appeals that drag on for so long. I object to the fact that it costs so much more in the long run to put someone to death than it does to keep them in prison for life.

And I don't think the person who is sentenced to death should get any option at all as to how he/she is put to death. I think the method of death shouldn't vary from state to state. I think the method of death should be exactly the same as the manner by which the victim died. If the victim was strangled, then the convict should suffer death by strangulation. If the victim was shot to death, then the convict should be shot. And so on.

I heard on the news that the shooters were volunteers from various law enforcement agencies -- not sure if "execution by firing squad" was in the original job description, so perhaps that is why they are receiving a commemorative medal? They are also receiving post-traumatic stress counseling.

If I were one of the volunteers, I'm not sure I would want the medal...

I heard on one of the morning news shows, that in a lot of the states, the death penalty is being phased out because it is so expensive....not the actual act of putting the person to death, but all the appeals they get and the public have to pay for all of the court appointed public defenders. To be honest, I'm not sure how I feel about the death sentence, but i certainly think they have it too posh in prison. There should be NO gyms and weight training. For excersize they should be made to run around a track. They could have approved reading materials, computers used only during classes, that they have to attend, and they should be made to grow and raise the food they eat. No TV, maybe a radio, if they behave. Harsh? yes! But they are there because of their own actions and choices, and we have to pay the bill. They only have themselves to blame. JMO Dottie

Lindsey brings up a good point. I remember that Kathy Bates in the movie Dolores Claiborne said that prison would be a nice break from life. Get 3 meals served up everyday, no bills to pay and no hard labor.

I've never been in prison myself but sure hear different stories when they talk about it on the news. Some say it's bad and some say it's good.

I am still surprised that hanging is on the "menu" of death choices. Do they still hang people? I've heard about death by stoning. Ouch. That hurts thinking about it.

His decision!

I wonder why he chose that method? I do not want to support all these criminals for the rest of their lives, I can't afford it.

Did anyone else get this email in the past week or two?

"Jail vs. nursing home.
Let's put the seniors in jail, and the criminals in a nursing home.

This way the seniors would have access to showers, hobbies,
and walks, they'd receive unlimited free prescriptions, dental
and medical treatment , wheel chairs etc. and they'd receive money instead of
paying it out.
They would have constant video monitoring, so they could be
helped instantly ,if they fell, or needed assistance.
Bedding would be washed twice a week, and all clothing would be
ironed and returned to them.
A guard would check on them every 20 minutes, and bring their meals
and snacks to their cell. They would have family visits in a suite built for that purpose.
They would have access to a library, weight room,spiritual counselling, pool, and education.
Simple clothing , shoes, slippers, P.J.'s and legal aid would be free, on request.
Private, secure rooms for all, with an exercise outdoor yard ,with gardens.
Each senior could have a P.C. a T.V. radio, and daily phone calls.
There would be a board of directors , to hear complaints, and the guards
would have a code of conduct, that would be strictly adhered to.

The "criminals" would get cold food, be left all alone, and unsupervised.
lights off at 8pm, and showers once a week.
Live in a tiny room , and pay $5000.00 per month and have no hope
of ever getting out. Justice for all."

There are different levels of confinement for different levels of crime.

Lets look at the downsides:

Stuck in a cell. Limited time to breath fresh air and sunshine.
Told when you can eat,what you will eat, when you can shower and no bathroom privacy.
Rape.
Lock down.
Strip searches.
Fights.
Abusive guards.
Gangs that want to kill you and can find the means to do do if they they really want to.

I know quite a few who have done hard time. It's no picnic but not as bad as the movies either. Somewhere in the middle. It really depends on who you are, what you've done and who you befriend. Manners and respect. Lots of politics going on inside those walls. No one wants to go back.

I guess it depends on whether you would like to see people
just punished or actually rehabilitated. I guess it also depends on your knowledge of what kind of "criminal" most prison cells actually hold. Our country does indeed hold "political" prisoners. It's not just hard core, dangerous to society criminals. They are the minority of the prison population.

Firing squad is probably one of the most humane manners of capitol punishment. Several bullets in the heart. Quick death. Yes there's blood but when the head pops off in a hanging because they didn't calculate weight vs. drop correctly, or hair catching on fire for the electric chair or have trouble finding a vein for a lethal injection, it's an efficient manner of execution.

I understand that they don't give the option anymore but given the timeframe, he qualified for the option. That's too bad. I somehow think that victim's families/friends would be able to come up with some people to pull the trigger.

3 hots and a cot. Not bad. Free health care, law libraries, abusing the legal system with facetious lawsuits and more. Cable TV, windows in the cells, exercise equipment... We're not talking about a dungeon. Now I will say if someone is in there for a more minor offense, short term or the like, it's far different than a lifer for murder or something. But the "camp cupcakes" out there are ridiculous. If someone is being punished I have problems with them sitting there knitting and writing books.

We need more Joe Arpaios in the judicial system. Let 'em eat green bologna and live in tent camps in the middle of the desert. Want to run? Go ahead. The buzzards will pick your bones clean and you'll serve some purpose.

Why does crime run so rampant? Not afraid of consequences is one big reason. Say what you want, with the death penalty, there's no repeat offenders about which I see so many complaints.

Yes, it's controversial and even a "hot" topic. But it's a good question. I think it deserves some rational discussion.

When he was comvicted several years ago, both forms of execution were permitted: by injection or by firing squad. Presently in Utah, execution by firing squad has been eliminated, but since it was in force when he was convicted, he was given a choice and he chose the firing squad.

I was surprised that multiple live rounds were used. I recall one form by firing squad where a third party loaded the guns and only one gun had a bullet in the cartridge; The other cartiridges were blanks. The shooters did not know which gun had the bullet. But, I suppose this reduced the relaibility by a large amount and a botched execution becomes a messy affair for all parties concerned.

I've heard that the blanks in the cartridge is a myth. My son who does a lot of target shooting with a wide variety of firearms says he would be able to tell if he was shooting a blank as opposed to live ammo. There are five presumably well trained sharpshooters after all and they are all familiar with firearms and are good marksmen. It is enough that they do not know which bullet(s) did the job. When you volunteer to execute someone I guess you should go in with the mindset it's a job to be done. Pointless to try to sugarcoat it.

Who really knows. I tend to think that the story of the fake bullet is just put out for the citizens. Why I don't know. Feel good stuff I guess.

Joe Arpaio runs a county jail system not the prisons. he gets the guys before they go to prison. Makes it tough enough on the low level criminals to scare them straight and helping them avoid going to prison. Totally different game and I'm for it. Too many punks spend time in county jail and they are so tough. Eventually they get to the big house and learn different. Joe does those early offenders a favor in my opinion. The taxpayers benefit too.

DH used to work with a guy(construction) who served hard time. He talked about the guys in prision,calling them fondly "cellies" and how they made prision nachos with hotdogs.

A firing squad sounds archaic. We're just not used to the idea.....?

I guess in a way it does sound archaic but only since it's been around so long. Guess it's been around since firearms were invented. But things that used to be done even though archaic, aren't all bad. Scratch cooking, repairing things rather than run to the store, walk to the neighbor's place and more are all, technically archaic, but still good ideas. I think firing squads are a good idea too. And yes, there's some old ideas that are not good too!

I've never heard of only using one live round in a firing squad! That's not going to work. The theory of the one blank is valid for some people to have the doubt. I haven't really found any credible source to say for sure whether it is true or not. While a blank will have less recoil, I'm skeptical that many people could really tell for sure in a firing squad situation. When you're used to a certain gun, caliber and the like you get used to the recoil. But a different caliber, different firearm and such will have different recoil. The use of non-use of a kickpad will make a difference too. It's not a situation where you're used to taking the old twice-barrel shootgun off the mantle and go hunt us up some squirrel for supper. I highly doubt you provide your own firearm so it'll be strange to the person. Even different powder loads in the same type of shell and bullet will give different recoil. Plus being at closer range it's highly likely the loads will be different than for hunting deer for instance. Interesting question though. I think I'll do some research and see what I can find.

I think some of these slimeballs should be used for veterinary experiments. Let them serve a purpose.

And of course Joe Arpaio is not in the Federal prison system, never suggested he was. He's Maricopa County's Sheriff. However he doesn't actually save the money represented by many. The cost of defending lawsuits alone outweighs the planned savings. I saw the figures on that that and it was staggering. I had friends in Phoenix filling me in on more of the details. However, the cost is still justified IMO to operate it as he does since it is an effective system. And contrary to what many think, there *are* a lot of repeat offenders in Maricopa Co. so they're not exactly scared straight all the time but again, I still believe it's a good system in many ways.

I just asked my father who is ex military and ex police officer and he said it is true that they use all live rounds and a blank in one rifle. It is to prevent the marksmen from knowing whether or not they had a real bullet. They supposedly do not face the prisoner directly, but aim through an opening in a wall for their rifle muzzle.

As far as death or prison for child molesters/killers, prison seems too easy and lethal injection seems too peaceful. I truly think if death penalties used medieval methods, like being drawn and quartered, there would be a lot less criminals willing to pay the penalty!

I too heard about the commemerative coin the shooters get. That is just to ridiculous! I can't for the life of me understand that!

Absolutely Juellie. I think this really takes the cake for the "everyone get an award" movement.

As to the blank there is really no way to prove it one way or another. It's all hearsay really. Just because the shooters and people in the military and law enforcement may be told there is a blank doesn't make it true. The only one who really knows is the actual person who loads the blank if there really is such a thing. Since it is all hearsay then logic says the whole idea of actually doing such a thing is pointless since there is no solid proof behind it.

I've heard that a local initail lockup has a concrete bed. No blankets (at this time of year, at least).

Could be mainly hearsay.

ole joyful