Tuesday, May 19, 2015
The verdict is in: Guilty. And the penalty?
Death.
I must have watched and re-watched
this on every news channel over the weekend. People around me would ask how I
felt about it and I would say to them that I expected the guilty verdict, but
nothing else. What I do not agree with is the penalty of DEATH. When people
hear that, they are clearly shocked or confused.
First. Let me say that I am a
supporter of the death penalty. I believe there are people who commit heinous
acts that need not continue breathing. My issue with the death penalty however,
is the process of appeal. Many people live on death row for decades and the
appeals cost millions in state tax dollars. I feel that one appeal is certainly
warranted but not 3,4 and so on.
In Tsarnaev’s case, I feel he is better
suited in some dark, dank cell for the rest of his natural life. He is young, which
means he will have a very long time to live in complete isolation. Let me tell
you, as someone who was in isolation and a single man cell for years, that it
can, and will drive you crazy eventually.
My biggest concern however, is not
for Tsarnaev, but for the victims. The victims will have to relive their
experience at every appeal his attorneys file. It is unfair to them. This
justice system is meant partially for the victims to have closure and that will
not happen if there are 20+ years in appeals. So for those reasons, I hope he
does not allow his attorneys to continue in appeals court. It would be idiotic
of me to expect him to think of others though and so, for that, I will not be
surprised to see this ordeal continue on into the years.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed. No
matter what the outcome, we will still remain Boston Strong.
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