The Conservative Cave

Current Events => General Discussion => Topic started by: Chris_ on January 16, 2009, 07:24:51 AM

Title: Alabama Man Executed After 26 Years On Death Row
Post by: Chris_ on January 16, 2009, 07:24:51 AM
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Alabama Man Executed After 26 Years On Death Row

ATMORE, Ala. —  James Harvey Callahan has been executed for the 1982 kidnapping, rape and murder of a Jacksonville woman.

The 62-year-old Callahan died at 6:24 p.m. Thursday by lethal injection at Holman Prison for the murder of Rebecca Suzanne Howell, a 26-year-old Jacksonville State University student.

Callahan had been on death row for nearly 26 years.

He was the first of five inmates set for execution in the first five months of this year. Alabama had no executions in 2008.

Another one bites the DUST (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,480105,00.html)

There really needs to be a statutory limit on how long someone can be on death row.  I'd say 3 years max.

Title: Re: Alabama Man Executed After 26 Years On Death Row
Post by: Zeus on January 16, 2009, 07:59:39 AM
Another one bites the DUST (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,480105,00.html)

There really needs to be a statutory limit on how long someone can be on death row.  I'd say 3 years max.



I think 3 yrs might be a little tight. I definitely think it shouldn't take 26 yrs though. Dunno what the limit should be ,maybe 10 yrs ?? Keep in mind there is guilt and there is innocence and then there is the bureaucracy of the courts to contend with. Short of each state with the DP establishing courts who only deal with DP appeals I'm not sure anything can be done to shorten the time.
Title: Re: Alabama Man Executed After 26 Years On Death Row
Post by: Chris_ on January 16, 2009, 11:08:45 AM
I blame the lawyers more than the courts.  It is to the lawyers advantage to stretch these cases out as long as possible...to extend their fees for as long as possible.
Title: Re: Alabama Man Executed After 26 Years On Death Row
Post by: Jim on January 16, 2009, 09:39:22 PM
good.  why 26 years ?  freakin silly
Title: Re: Alabama Man Executed After 26 Years On Death Row
Post by: Thor on January 17, 2009, 06:14:12 AM
I say one appeal after the trial in today's world. Those that were sentenced to death within the last five years would have no other option. Those that were sentenced before that might be able to elude the death penalty due to advancements in technology. Possibly re-evaluate their case with the new tech and procedures. If still found guilty, hasta la bye bye.
Title: Re: Alabama Man Executed After 26 Years On Death Row
Post by: Eupher on January 17, 2009, 08:21:30 AM
The problem I have with a condemned person is the drain of that person on the system.

If the condemned is in a position to reimburse the state for his 3 hots, a cot, clothes, medical and dental care, along with an assessment of what it takes to keep the sumbitch warm in the winter and cool in the summer, I'd say go ahead and keep the bastard alive.

The second he can't pony up the cash, the execution date is set.

Agree that too many lawyers get involved in this, but what are you going to do in a country that has more lawyers per capita than any other country in the world?

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Syndicated columnist Charley Reese stated:

      I favor a fair trial, one quick appeal and prompt execution. I don't think murderers ought to live much beyond 12 months from the day their victim is buried...[and] As for not being able to correct a mistake, so what? Virtually all accidental deaths are deaths by mistake. Why impose a standard of perfection only on the criminal justice system? There are no perfect human institutions. Our system is, more than any other, designed to protect the rights of the defendant. The chance of a truly innocent person being executed is exceedingly slim. But if it happens, it happens just as things happen to people every day.

A pro DP web site (http://www.wesleylowe.com/cp.html#risk)