yes!

The D.C.Sniper takes his last shot! Not a moment too soon.

I understand what he did was horrible, but executions still sit wrong with me...

wonder if you'd say the same if one of the victims was member of your family or a close friend

I really liked (NOT) his attorney's rationale that it was really bad that the US government was executing a mentally ill man who had served in the military one day before Veteran's Day. That was the sign that he had run out of coherent reasoning to keep that murdering piece of crap alive.

Is an execution more humane then letting them stay in jail? I always wondered that.

I've never been in prison (except for Monopoly) but I can't see myself living the rest of my remaining life in jail. And even if you get out at an old age, it has already been too late. You're accustomed to the walls, and the only jail left is in your mind.

Also, here in the Netherlands we have a thing called TBS. It's far from perfect, but criminals with heavy mental problems end up there and are questioned about their problems, and (hopefully) cured. Although the latter part hasn't had that much success.

My father was killed by two gunman while I was still in my mother's womb.
I never got to know him and the fact that he was gunned down has certainly left an impact on my family and shaped my life in ways that are beyond my control.
My mother - not once - ever wished for those who killed her husband to also be killed in turn for their crimes. She always said "that will solve nothing, will not make me feel better, nor will it ever bring your father back."
For me, the death penalty is just some eye for an eye bull s#!t. Granted, those mass murders, serial killers, or creepy weirdos that mess with and torture their victims might really make you want to just gas a mo'fo', but for me, I always want to know *why*.
Why they do what they do, what drove them to the point, what could be done to avoid murders and killings like this, how it could be prevented, etc.
Anyway, I think it's crass to blurt out "well, if it were your fam. gunned down, would you feel that way?" because hey, you never know what the person next to you has gone through. That may be the very reason she commented that way.
ETA: in an ideal world, I wish you could just ship criminals who take another life or torture and imprison people to some remote place and just leave them there to live off the land and fend for themselves against each other. I know it didn't work in Australia, but I can't stand having criminals live in prison, sometimes comfortably, for the rest of their life. It seems like such a cop out. Some inmates go to school, make friends, and live this stabilized life for decades...sometimes it's a step up from the life they were leading before. I'm not a fan, but realistically, I don't know what the alternative would be, other than killing them eventually.

I was there. I lived through it. I didn't go anywhere off post until he was caught. The news actually told people that when you were in parking lots to move in a "zig zag" fashion. It was frightening.

As for the death penalty, I have a real hard time with this one. It's in the top ten folks, THOU SHALT NOT KILL. But then I think of people like Richard Ramirez(also had to live through his reign of terror) and I am sorry but he is evil and I truly believe he needs to go away. FOREVER.

When I saw this piece on the news, I felt cold inside when I saw his face. Not cold as in hatred, cold as in scared and memories of how it felt at that time. "Executed" on the screen and maybe for a brief moment I felt relief.

AS for Choco, I think your mother is a brave and very forgiving woman. I don't know if I could do the same. She has taught a great lesson.

(((((((((((((((hugs to you)))))))))))

I have always felt the same way you did, but never had a personal experience (thank God) to share where I *have* lost a family member in such a way.

I always hate the "what if it was your family?" reply.

I am not sure how I feel about the death penalty and I am not sure how I would react if I did lose a family member.

Killing a killer would not bring closure to me, I guess. It isn't going to bring anyone back. My misery would not end because that person is gone.

Choco, thanks for sharing that. I know someone who went through a very similar thing. We don't do the death penalty in Australia, but regardless, the family said all along that they wouldn't want the guy killed, just locked away where he could never hurt them again.
I believe under those circumstances I'd feel the same way... I don't think it would bring closure at all, it's just more death, more bringing up the horrible memories.
Of course, having never gone through that, I can't say for certain how i'd feel about it. I hope I never have to.
What I don't understand is, in my experience, it's usually religious people who support the death penalty, while most atheists (myself included) denouce it. I honestly would've thought it would be the other way round... if you believe this guy will burn in hell for eternity, why bother killing him now?

You know, it's funny you mention that. My mother used to be very religious...I guess it helped her get through all the stuff in the past, but she never wanted them to be sentenced to death despite it all. She never supported others (grieving family members out for blood) who called for that. I've always been surprised about her thoughts when it comes to this (we don't agree on a lot of things!).
Thanks for the hugs and love, everyone :)

Your mom sounds like a very thoughtful and caring woman. Your pretty lucky to have picked her.

Weird - me too.

Although it was only two weeks for me, but I was on holiday in DC for two weeks during the time he was sniping.

Didn't let it get in the way though...

Protesting his innocence...how can these murderers who have blatantly killed deny there dirty deed...as for what he saw in combat I bet he was a REMF.