We have the power to stop the Clemons execution
The widow of the man we executed on May 20th made some profound points in her editorial. Dennis Skillicorn was, undoubtedly, responsible for his part in some awful crimes even though he never actually killed anyone. He had 14 years in prison to repent and try to redeem himself.
One of the American values we loudly champion as a people is the opportunity we give each other to become better citizens and to be rewarded for that behavior. People in prison are still people and deserve the same right to change their ways. Christians, especially, strongly encourage people to “turn their lives around.” If anyone needs that kind of compassion, it is those who have broken the law.
Another execution in our name is scheduled for June 17. Reggie Clemons’ case is even more perplexing than was Skillicorn’s. The way the Clemons case was handled over a decade ago wouldn’t be tolerated today because we have raised the standards by which we prosecute people. As a society, we are moving toward a more humane level of consciousness. Twenty or thirty years from now, people will look back at state executions the same way we now look back at the way our ancestors jailed children for stealing bread.
Governor Nixon has the power to grant clemency in the Reggie Clemons case. WE have the power to stop this execution by making our voices heard.
Susan Cunningham
Pacific
Susan Cunningham:
“One of the American values we loudly champion as a people is the opportunity we give each other to become better citizens and to be rewarded for that behavior. People in prison are still people and deserve the same right to change their ways. Christians, especially, strongly encourage people to “turn their lives around.” If anyone needs that kind of compassion, it is those who have broken the law.”
This Christian believes that victims should have the same rights you choose to lavish only on mad dog killers. Have you no sense of conscience madam? Go champion your loopy causes somewhere else.
“responsible for his part in some awful crimes even though he never actually killed anyone.”
Sorry, WRONG!
Skillicorn was on parole for MURDER when he was present for another MURDER. Charges for MURDER in Mexico were not filed because we convicted him and sentenced him to death.
And WE have the power to let the execution of this waste of flesh go through by making our voices heard. Governor Nixon please do not grant this vile garbage clemency.
WE (well at least ME) demand that this threat be eliminated. If they’d put these criminals in a hell-hole with no chance of getting out (read parole), there’d be something to your position. The penal system can no longer be trusted to cage these dogs indefinitely (one of the few legitimate functions of government – they’re too busy pissing the money away on welfare to be bothered with securing the safety of the tax-looted populous) – so, death it is.
We also have the power to remember the victims, and to seek justice for their brutal deaths. Clemons has had over a decade to prove his innocence, and he was unable to do that. This is more than what Clemons allowed his victims. We aren’t jailing him for stealing bread. We certainly didn’t decide years ago that we wanted to execute him. His brutal crime was what got him where he is today.
While I am opposed to the death penalty, Clemmons is guilty as sin.
He should just be left where he is.
A 10 year old boy can walk through North St. Louis with a satchel of $100’s in drug money and never be harmed…That’s because the “boyz in the hood” know if you even talk to the kid you’ll be dead by sunset.
Tell me the death penalty isn’t a deterrent.
“Feelings” about the death penalty are irrelevant. Clemons was tried, convicted, and sentenced in a court of law. His execution is the carrying out of Justice, not vengeance, not cruelty.
And if you think our society is reaching a “more humane level of consciousness”, you are ignoring the facts and 30,000 years of human history. Some people are evil, and commit evil acts. Some wrongs will be committed, but the Law remains. Without it, we have no consistency, no maoral compass, no justice.
I have no issue with this scum being put to death. I believe the death penalty should be used as a punishment, not a deterrent. This human stain needs to be removed.
“One of the American values we loudly champion as a people is the opportunity we give each other to become better citizens and to be rewarded for that behavior.”
Too bad the victim’s never got the same chance you want to give a convicted murderer.
I really don’t understand how these bleeding hearts ingnore the plight and pain of the victim’s families like they don’t exist. How does a convicted murderer get more rights then his victims? I’ll never fathom that way of thinking.
He can repent all he wants in jail, admit his culpability, apologize for his actions, etc., etc., call Ed Asner a hairy ape, whatever. When I see multi-millions of dollars being donated into a fund for the victim’s families from, maybe I’ll think of possibly listening because I know at that point, they’ve at least acknowledged there was a victim.
He should be hung by the neck until dead in a town square state wide broadcast. It should be impressed upon every single citizen. This is the reward for evil.