Comments on: State To Seek Death Penalty For Parents Charged With Toddler’s Death

By: jill

jill — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 05:01:30 +0000

I knew Chris a long time ago. He was a sweet and caring person. I think they were scared. I’m sorry this little boy had to suffer. I do not think the death penalty should be brought into this. Jail yes.

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Sat, 25 Oct 2014 17:52:08 +0000

Unless the state proves far more than just stupidity and selfishness, they will lose.

The Green River Killer avoided the death penalty by agreeing to tell where he left all the bodies of the women he killed and raped (in that order). The fact that he was spared what he earned really has nothing to do with whether or not all other murderers should get away with it.

David for justice

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 16:11:48 +0000

A summary of sincere concerns;

1. From a societal perspective these people pose no risk to anyone else other than perhaps their own children. This could easily be remedied by removing them from the home. Thus, there is no argument for protecting society.

2. The seriousness and lethality of a burn is very counterintuitive even to physicians – even less obvious to a layman. These folks probably had no intention of letting their child die.

3. Poor people in this county are genuinely terrified of losing their children to the state. Their children are all they have.

4. Seeking the death penalty for negligent care of the child is grossly disproportionate to the crime. This falls so far out of civilized behaviour that it risks placing us in the same category as the Taliban and courts that would stone a woman for divorce or some such minor thing.

5. If we lay aside our concern for these people and only look at the consequences of her own actions, it will become evident that this will only exacerbate this type of problem. If people were afraid of taking the children to the doctor before, the death penalty will ensure everyone’s terrified of seeking aid.

6. I certainly hope that this death penalty rhetoric is just pre-election manoeuvring; pandering to the emotionality of this case. This does not however, absolve the prosecutor’s office from the solemn responsibility to do the right thing.

There but for the grace of God goes every parent. But to the electric chair? lethal injection? The worst murderer in American history, the Green River killer, got life in prison – not the death penalty!

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 12:46:51 +0000

I’m a advocate of the death penalty. In fact I normally think most criminals get off too light when it comes to sentencing, but death penalty in this case??? I think we all agree that their actions as parents are completely ireprehensible and they should go to prison for making terrible judgement that caused a child to lose his life, but just because people are stupid doesn’t mean they should be put to death. I really think the state attorney is making a bad decision. Prayers for the youngster who is now in a place where his burns can’t hurt him anymore.

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 10:35:45 +0000

REGARDING:
“Unless they intentionally threw boiling water on the child, the death penalty seems a little strange.”

I think it’s based on the fact they let him suffer without medical help for two weeks (?) that is their main thought.

David for better parents
less suffering

By: perdido fisherman

perdido fisherman — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 04:24:39 +0000

This seems like a stretch to me, I can see them being convicted on some other charge that carries life without parole maybe, but the 1st degree murder charge has to prove they intended to kill this kid. As a parent, i just don’t get why they didn’t get help for thier baby. Whether my child is injured from a bad choice on my part or an accident, I would never allow them to suffer any longer than it takes to get them whatever relief the power of mankind can provide. Thier excuse makes me angry, but i still dont think they intended to kill thier child and I may be wrong about the law but don’t you have to show intent for 1st degree murder?

By: BT

BT — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 00:47:44 +0000

Unless they intentionally threw boiling water on the child, the death penalty seems a little strange. They may have, just don’t know. Otherwise, it sounds like depraved indifference, which I think is 2nd degree murder.

I’m not a lawyer, I just play one on the internet.

By: mick

mick — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 00:13:45 +0000

If either have an nth of a conscience, It is my wish that they suffer mentally for what they inflicted on their own flesh and blood. God almighty blesses us with the gift of children and expects us to do right by those children. The punishment they receive here on this earth will be nothing compared to what is in store for them come judgement time…

By: David HUIE Green

David HUIE Green — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 18:43:46 +0000

REGARDING:
“And how do we seek the death penalty in this case when we have so many other areas of society, including some in Law Enforcement, with instances of people and/or corporation being neglectful and stupid, cause the deaths or suffering of others and hardly ever get charged much less convicted?”

Which is to say, How can we change anyone with a crime unless we charge all suspects with all crimes?

This is the equivalent of saying we should never try to enforce any law or punish any crimes. Anarchy.

Sometimes it seems the charges and trial are the closest to punishment we have. OJ beat the charges but was broke by the effort’s expense. (Not that a competent prosecutor couldn’t have done more.)

David for better parents

By: No Excuses

No Excuses — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 18:14:43 +0000

I am rarely with Henry, but I am with him on this. They ARE guilty of stupidity and poor parenting and judgment, but the death penalty? That’s a bit extreme. I think both should have a nice long stretch in prison – say about 45 years, so that they are too old to reproduce – but the death penalty for something that wasn’t intentional – just stupid – is too much.
I am a supporter of the death penalty – but only for those who premeditate or perform murder with malice and aforethought.
I do feel for the poor baby. We don’t get to choose our parents – stupid or smart. At least he’s in Heaven now and whole and suffering no more.