Sunday, December 04, 2005

Life should mean life

I cannot share the sense of triumph at the “double life” sentences handed out to the killers of Anthony Walker. In fact we can expect these two violent psychopaths to be walking the streets again before they are middle aged despite the “severity” of their sentence. Meanwhile an Asian gang, who murdered a passing white youth, escaped with a “normal” life sentence. Because they had already attacked other random passers-by some of whom were not white they “proved” that their crime was not racially motivated. This entitled them to a sentence that will be about half as long as that of the murderers of Anthony Walker.

I cannot bring myself to support a return of the death penalty (yet) but when it was abolished there was an understanding that those convicted of the most brutal murders would spend every day of the rest of their lives behind bars. This is not happening.

The murderers of Anthony Walker and Christopher Yates went up to an innocent passer by, and violently murdered them. The only appropriate punishment must be for them to live out every day of their lives in prison.

Apart from anything else this would protect members of the public from the danger they will pose when they are released. It will also deter other violent youths from carrying out motiveless attacks on strangers. But above all it would be justice.

5 Comments:

Blogger Welsh Spin said...

What is your opinion on the Law Commission's suggestion of establishing two different 'classes' of murder David?

Personally, in principle I can see the point to it - though the judiciary seems to have managed for the past 40 years by indicating an appropriate tariff proportionate to the crime.

I really can't see how some of the most difficult issues (such as the Home Secretary's power to overrule a judicial tariff e.g. in the case of Myra Hindley) involved in sentencing for murder would be affected either way ...

8:32 AM  
Blogger Welsh Spin said...

I'm no expert on theology, but I was under the impression that most, if not all, major "Christian" sects nowadays are opposed to capital punishment.

While forensic and DNA evidence have a role to play in identification, they are by no means the be all and end all - moreover they can be 'planted' in the same way as any other evidence.

The wrongful conviction argument has force, as does the fact that there is no evidence that capital punishment is a deterrent - though expectation of the likelihood of getting caught is. For me though the basic argument is moral. I regard capital punishment as inhumane because it undermines the value of human life, promotes an 'eye for an eye' vengance model of justice and brings the state down to the ame level as the murderer.

9:20 AM  
Blogger David Davies AM said...

I would want to know more about the law cdommissioners proposals before commenting.

I am against the death penalty for the same reason that I oppose abortion.

7:28 AM  
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6:03 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

It is really terrifying! Winstrol

6:22 AM  

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