Death-Penalty Opponent Wavers After Murder Strikes Close To Home

As they say, liberals are just conservatives who haven't been mugged yet:

Since then I've thought a great deal about the death penalty. It's hard not to, and not just because a heinous crime hit so close to home. More recently, lawyers, politicians and even Supreme Court justices are increasingly questioning the role of the death penalty in our justice system. I always thought I knew exactly where I stood on this issue, but now I find myself constantly wavering.

...

Before this happened, I likely would have argued that this young defendant had extenuating circumstances beyond his control. But not anymore. Maybe it's because my daughter is almost the same age as Constantine was when he was killed, or maybe it's because the reality of experience trumps theoretical beliefs. Whatever the reason, when I looked at the young man sitting at the defense table, I didn't see a victim. All I saw was the man who took my family member's life.

Thanks to OgreGunner.

posted by Ace at 03:24 PM

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