Why I'm for the death penalty

[scottie]

What a heart-breaking story. Truly tragic and I hope the father isn't blaming himself for the death.

On the death penalty, I'm against it. I don't like giving any person the power to terminate someone's life, regardless of the circumstances. Of course I would include an exception when someone is defending him/herself.

I'm a big fan of life in prison without the chance for parole. Sitting in prison for the rest of ones life, which can be a long, long time for people who are 31 and 27 years old, should be punishment enough.

[scottie]

Like most everyone, it's all I can do to read about events like this without becoming literally depressed. Amazing to me that parents (the little boy's real dad in this case) in those situations are able to make it through life going forward.

[Coach McGuirk]

Like most everyone, it's all I can do to read about events like this without becoming literally depressed. Amazing to me that parents (the little boy's real dad in this case) in those situations are able to make it through life going forward.

Depressed isn't the word to describe the feeling I have. Revenge and hate would be better. Not to be the tough guy, but I really have not wanted to pull the trigger on two people myself more than I have throughout today.

[Portland Ute]

I literally started shaking while I read the article.

[MindfulCoug]

Death is punishment enough. Hoping that it hurts is beneath us.

Actually in this case, death is rather favor than punishment. Let them free and make them DEAL with it for the rest of thier lives.

[Hallelujah]

Revenge is not a proper motive of a modern society, particularly one that is predominantly Christian. No, no one close to me has ever been killed, but I'm not sure what that has to do with what ideals we claim to espouse. Christian ideals are Christian ideals, and their existence doesn't depend on the difficulty of keeping them. Christ was pretty clear in teaching that revenge doesn't bring peace--most psychologists would agree.

As for your punishment motive, is that really government's role? We can't ever really provide "justice"--only God can do that. We institute laws and penalties to preserve order. Deterrence should interest us much more than punishment, and I have yet to see any proof of a deterrent effect of the death penalty.

You're right. Only god can provide real justice. We should expedite the meeting of God and these monsters. Revenge brings more peace than having to show up at hearings for 20-30 years to relive the horror.

[Hallelujah]

What a heart-breaking story. Truly tragic and I hope the father isn't blaming himself for the death.

On the death penalty, I'm against it. I don't like giving any person the power to terminate someone's life, regardless of the circumstances. Of course I would include an exception when someone is defending him/herself.

I'm a big fan of life in prison without the chance for parole. Sitting in prison for the rest of ones life, which can be a long, long time for people who are 31 and 27 years old, should be punishment enough.

The judge should be blaming himself. A single judge sentenced this boy to abuse and eventual death.

[happyone]

This hits way too close to home. I walk by that apt complex 2-3 times a week and my wife lived there when we met. There are alway little kids out playing there.

I don't know what the punishment should be for those two, but it needs to be harsh and swift.

[byu71]

Actually in this case, death is rather favor than punishment. Let them free and make them DEAL with it for the rest of thier lives.

I think these two are psychopaths, especially the guy. Someone more knowledgeable than I on the subject can weigh in, but I think those types of people never deal with it in a way we think they would or should.

[Moliere]

I think these two are psychopaths, especially the guy. Someone more knowledgeable than I on the subject can weigh in, but I think those types of people never deal with it in a way we think they would or should.

I agree with this but I'm also not a psychologist so take it for what it's worth. These two probably have no remorse, or very little of it. They probably have very little guilt and this incident may not trouble them as much as it would a normal person.

I still think the best thing is to lock them up for life without the chance for parole. You can even put them into solitary confinement for life. That would be much worse than death, at least IMO. Giving him a good 50 to 60 years to ponder what he did might eventual help him realize the gravity of his actions and maybe he'll then experience remorse. If he never realizes the pain of what he did, then at least he's been in a place that keeps him from hurting someone again.

[byu71]

I agree with this but I'm also not a psychologist so take it for what it's worth. These two probably have no remorse, or very little of it. They probably have very little guilt and this incident may not trouble them as much as it would a normal person.

I still think the best thing is to lock them up for life without the chance for parole. You can even put them into solitary confinement for life. That would be much worse than death, at least IMO. Giving him a good 50 to 60 years to ponder what he did might eventual help him realize the gravity of his actions and maybe he'll then experience remorse. If he never realizes the pain of what he did, then at least he's been in a place that keeps him from hurting someone again.

Like I have said before, I am ambivalent about them being put to death or in prison for the rest of their lives in miserable conditions. I don't want them having TV, the internet, etc. I don't want to see them interviewed on TV ten years and hear about their conversion and what wonderful people they have become or hear ongoing crap out of there mouths like I do Charlie Manson.

I consider them less than human. My bottom line is what is the worse punishment for them and what costs the less to take care of them.

[venkman]

I think these two are psychopaths, especially the guy. Someone more knowledgeable than I on the subject can weigh in, but I think those types of people never deal with it in a way we think they would or should.

A psychopath and a pussy. Real tough guy, beating a four year old boy. I take comfort hoping he gets what's coming to him. Death penalty or not, this guy needs to get his ass beat in prison. Many times. I guess that makes me a bad person, so be it. I can't imagine what the father is going through, I have no connection to this and I'm furious.

I hope the Davis County DA isn't a wimp like the SLCo. DA who seems incapable of going for the death penalty in these types of cases.

[scottie]

There's a Facebook group that a friend of mine joined: "If you hurt my son I will make your death look like an accident."

[cougjunkie]

So the step dad beats this kid in the head, the kid has a severe brain injury is vomiting and passing out. The step dad forces him to drink water until he throws up, then beats him some more. The mom and step dad decide to go out for the night and do not want him to run out and call the cops so they lock him in his room and remove the door knob. Then the mom comes home one day after leaving him with the stepdad and very casually he says

"Ethan is in his room he died".

So they decide to get rid of the body and they disfigure his face so you can not recognize him and then go bury him.

What kind of sick fucks would do something like this. I have a 4 year old and this literally brings tears to my eyes.

[Portland Ute]

So the step dad beats this kid in the head, the kid has a severe brain injury is vomiting and passing out. The step dad forces him to drink water until he throws up, then beats him some more. The mom and step dad decide to go out for the night and do not want him to run out and call the cops so they lock him in his room and remove the door knob. Then the mom comes home one day after leaving him with the stepdad and very casually he says

"Ethan is in his room he died".

So they decide to get rid of the body and they disfigure his face so you can not recognize him and then go bury him.

What kind of sick fucks would do something like this. I have a 4 year old and this literally brings tears to my eyes.

For once, we agree. I have a 7, 4 and 6mos old. I was shaking when I read this. My wife cried. I honestly can't express how I feel about this. I don't think I have ever been this angry or sad about something that did not directly affect me.