(no subject)

[madbaker]

Clarence Ray Allen has been on Death Row since 1980, when he was convicted of ordering murders while in prison. He recently lost his appeal to the state Supreme Court, in which he argued cruel and unusual punishment -- citing his age and the length of time spent on Death Row.

His advanced age is due to the appeals process, which has kept him from being executed.

Is this like murdering your parents, then appealing for mercy because you're an orphan?

Comments

[maestrateresa.livejournal.com]

Is this like murdering your parents, then appealing for mercy because you're an orphan?

Pretty much.
I am also unclear on why it might be more cruel to execute the old and infirm than the young and healthy. I would think that the reverse would be true...

length of time for the process

[dame-cordelia.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Is he complaining because the appeals process took so long? He should be grateful imho.

Re: length of time for the process

[madbaker.livejournal.com]

I don't have a problem with the concept of the appeals process. If someone is going to be executed, he certainly deserves layers of checks and appeals.
But when the time spent is used as a justification for an appeal - that cheeses me.