Michael Ross, a Cornell graduate who was sent to death row for the murders of four young women in the 1980s and later confessed to four more such slayings in Connecticut and New York, was put to death by injection early Friday in New England's first execution in 45 years. Although Ross was actively seeking his execution, something he saw as his 'right' in order to 'stop the pain' of his victim's families, he was continually opposed by those seeking a death penalty alternative. Public defenders and Ross' family had previously delayed his execution through arguing that Ross suffered from 'death row syndrome', while general death penalty opponents warned that the execution could break down a political and psychological barrier against capital punishment in New England and start a domino effect in the region.
This brings to light a moral issue concerning capital punishment that is outside the typical argument. Assuming that a person can be and is justly sentenced to die, how much say should the guilty have in his or her timely death? Or, for that matter, in the method of execution?
Add a Comment (7)
Email This
Message Author
StatisticsIt is interesting that a murderer on death row for 18 years had to prove that he was mentally competent in order to die, whereas an innocent woman (Terri Schiavo) unable to function normally much less prove her mental capacity was denied medical treatment that resulted in her death. I am not arguing for or against either, but it seems that there is a skewed focus within the justice system on who should and should not be granted the liberties of life.
If capital punishment in Connecticut was such a rarity, what was the purpose of sentencing this man to death row anyway? Perhaps the protests should have dealt with that issue 18 years ago.
It is interesting that a murderer on death row for 18 years had to prove that he was mentally competent in order to die, whereas an innocent woman (Terri Schiavo) unable to function normally much less prove her mental capacity was denied medical treatment that resulted in her death. I am not arguing for or against either, but it seems that there is a skewed focus within the justice system on who should and should not be granted the liberties of life.
If capital punishment in Connecticut was such a rarity, what was the purpose of sentencing this man to death row anyway? Perhaps the protests should have dealt with that issue 18 years ago.
RSS
do you have rights on death row? by Bortnyk :: NR6 :: Show
I am more interested in my right to not pay for them to be on death row once they have exhausted the appeals process. I would think the cost to keep them imprisoned at the point would be incentive enough to a speedy execution of sentence.