Veteran Federal Judge Says Death Penalty Still Arbitrary and Too Costly
Reflecting on his 30 years as judge hearing death penalty cases on the U.S., Judge Boyce M. Martin, Jr. of the Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit wrote in an opinion released today (PDF) that capital punishment in this country remains "arbitrary, biased, and so fundamentally flawed at its very core that it is beyond repair." Judge Martin went on to state: "The system's deep flaws and high costs raise a simple but important question: is the death penalty worth what it costs us?" Citing empirical studies concerning the costs of the death penalty, Judge Martin then persuasively demonstrates that the costs of continuing to prop up this broken system are enormous and unsustainable.
His opinion is a concurrence in the Wiles v. Bagley case.
Apr 18th, 2009 at 9:58am
how much can a bullet cost?
Apr 28th, 2009 at 2:49am
Retail is about 25 cents. I'll do it for free!
May 7th, 2009 at 3:43pm
How much does it cost to clear your soul after executing an innocent person?
May 12th, 2009 at 5:30pm
Roald, how often have pro-crime judges let the guilty go free only to commit their crimes again and again? The ACLU and others in the pro-crime movement don't seem to mind when this travesty of justice happens. How long do you think the law-abiding are going to stand by and allow this to take place? Again the far-left loons don't seem to mind; as long as it's not one of their loved ones.
May 13th, 2009 at 4:39pm
This judge is correct. The system is "arbitrary, biased, and so fundamentally flawed..." We need to start using the death penalty more often with less delay.
May 26th, 2009 at 2:00pm
If there was as big a concern for crime victims rights as there was for criminals, there wouldnt be as many in prison, as crime would decrease out of fear of true punishment, and more of the guilty would be executed like their victims. The punishment should suit the crime.
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