The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
This letter is guaranteed to evoke controversy!
Hopefully, we can disagree without being disagreeable.
Even our former Republican governor wanted no part of the death penalty or was this a diversion from the criminal activity that had taken place when he was Secretary of State? Anytime human judgment is involved, there are going to be human mistakes. Rarely someone is executed when they were not guilty of a particular crime. Some are going to be let free when they are very likely guilty. (Ex: O.J. Simpson). It is a real crime when money and power can exert influence in our justice system, as to which way verdicts will go. With D.N.A. evidence etc., it is much less likely an innocent person will be put to death.
Let's say that a typical criminal is on death row. He likely has a rap sheet as long as your arm and probably got away with some crimes and some he didn't. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule and some shouldn't be there. For example, a young person convicted of mass murder is given a life sentence, without a chance of parole, instead of capital punishment. He would be in a maximum security prison with hardened murderers, terrorists, mentally deranged, etc. There would likely be vicious fights, sexual attacks, or solitary confinement. Is this your idea of a worthwhile life? Many of us would prefer death.
It has been estimated that it costs taxpayers about two million dollars to keep one inmate confined for 50 years while new modern prison facilities such as at Thompson and Rushville cannot be utilized because of lack of funds.
Of course every life is important. However, you have to look at the big picture. If he was locked up for fifty years what would he contribute to society? What is he contributing to his family or himself? If he is a habitual criminal what is he likely to contribute if he got out?
Claims of ineffective assistance of counsel and biased jury selection are made in thousands of criminal cases each year, but rarely raise questions about the defendant's guilt.
Much research has been done at universities (including W.I.U.) which suggest that ending the death penalty would result in more murders. Research shows that for each murderer executed, 5 to 18 murders are prevented.
The Bible say, "Thou shalt not kill" as one commandment. However, there are illustrations in the Bible of when those who committed major crimes did receive the punishment of death, when justified.
Some talk about abortion and capital punishment being similar. In abortion, you have a completely innocent child being killed. In capital punishment, you have a completely guilty adult being killed.
Every person convicted of murder should be given a fair trial, but victims and families also deserve the right of justice and closure.
Weyman George
Macomb
Dear Editor:
Just wanted to bring to your attention that the West Central School Board minutes from June 8th (printed in last week's Quill) had a date error listed.
The minutes say that the Henderson County Rural Health Center will be doing athletic physicals at the north campus on July 16th.. That is incorrect... we did them on June 16th.
We'd like to have this corrected so we don't have people walking in to the West Central campus on July 16th expecting to get a physical exam.
Thanks!
Melinda Whiteman
Executive Director
Henderson County
Rural Health Center