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Tenn. Schedules Five Executions For June 28

By Jeralyn, Section Death Penalty
Posted on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 02:34:58 PM EST
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Tennessee is gearing itself up to be the country's latest killing machine. It has scheduled five executions for the same day, June 28, and says it is prepared to carry them all out should last minute appeals not delay them.

Prison officials say they just need two to three hours between them so they can get the families of one inmate out and the next one in.

The record goes to Virginia:

The record for single-day executions is believed to be the eight men convicted of rape who were electrocuted on Feb. 2, 1951, in Martinsville City, Va.

Here's why Sedley Hadley and Dennis Reid should not be executed. I haven't found pages for the other three yet.

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    Tenn. Schedules Five Executions For June 28 | 16 comments (16 topical)
    Re: Tenn. Schedules Five Executions For June 28 (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 03:05:23 PM EST
    Or does the record go to Minnesota? Largest mass hanging in United States history" 38 Santee "Sioux" Indian men Mankato, Minnesota, Dec. 16, 1862 303 Indian males were hanged. Link: http://www.unitednativeamerica.com/hanging.html

    Re: Tenn. Schedules Five Executions For June 28 (none / 0) (#3)
    by HK on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 03:52:45 PM EST
    As far as mental health issues in death penalty cases go, I'd like to mention Percy Walton, whose June 8th execution date has been delayed for 6 months in order to assess his mental state and competance. Read details of his case here. It is a myth that the US does not execute the mentally ill anymore. The truth is, individual states are permitted to determine the benchmark for retardation and mental illness - a standard which is invariably set so low that few escape execution on these grounds.

    Re: Tenn. Schedules Five Executions For June 28 (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 04:28:30 PM EST
    Narius, don't forget you are limited to four comments a day here.

    Re: Tenn. Schedules Five Executions For June 28 (none / 0) (#6)
    by Che's Lounge on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 05:27:08 PM EST
    And even that's too many.

    Re: Tenn. Schedules Five Executions For June 28 (none / 0) (#7)
    by Johnny on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 05:56:36 PM EST
    Narius, HK commented on states killing persons with mental disablities. Not those deemed insane. But your response is illuminating, nonetheless. Obviously, to you, we are better off without those who were born under the bad luck of not being equipped with the mental capacity so many of us were. Heck, let's start eugenics now!

    Re: Tenn. Schedules Five Executions For June 28 (none / 0) (#8)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 06:35:11 PM EST
    Three of those to be executed June 28 in Tennessee received stays today. The real serious ones are Reid and Alley.

    Re: Tenn. Schedules Five Executions For June 28 (none / 0) (#10)
    by phat on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 12:46:20 AM EST
    Narius very obviously has little to no understanding of what mental illness is. Further, he/she obviously has little to no understanding as to the concept of legal culpability. It's obvious, also, that compassion is not something Narius comes by easily. Likely, Narius won't be able to figure this out, ever. Not that it matters much, as Narius represents an extreme position in America today and really isn't the type of person who will help change policy. It's at least entertaining to hear, in a morbid sort of way. The death penalty will go away in America, sooner, rather than later, and the Nariuses of the world will have to take their lumps. Likely Narius will stew and huff and feel as if some terrible injustice has been visited upon him/her. It will be just another terrible chip on Narius's shoulder. It'll be one more reason for Narius to feed the hate that Narius has cultivated. I would hope that Narius would actually reflect on this and learn. But odds are, not. It's too bad. But it's OK, really. I suppose I'll feel sorry for Narius. But I'll feel much better about my country. And I already love my country, despite obvious flaws. So all in all. I suppose I didn't really even need to post this. But what the heck... phat

    Re: Tenn. Schedules Five Executions For June 28 (none / 0) (#11)
    by Johnny on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 02:03:15 AM EST
    Of course we are better off without them.
    Narius, I hope someday when you have children, they are not born with any kind of disability... Of course, knowing your posting history here, you would not have any problem pulling the trigger on your own child.

    Re: Tenn. Schedules Five Executions For June 28 (none / 0) (#12)
    by DonS on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 04:49:21 AM EST
    There is really no downside to society by executing violent criminals even if they are insane. It is a small step, perhaps a slip, from where this narius is to the nazi killing machine. As a mental health professional, I hope he gets help when he finally snaps, and that he doesn't hurt himself or anyone else in the process. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy" (7th Beatitude).

    Re: Tenn. Schedules Five Executions For June 28 (none / 0) (#13)
    by eric on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 09:05:36 AM EST
    Posted by deepsouthdoug June 20, 2006 04:05 PM Or does the record go to Minnesota? Sort of. Although in Minnesota's defense, it was the Federal Government that perpetrated the executions, not the state. It was Lincoln, actually. I am proud to say that nobody has been executed in Minnesota since 1906.

    Re: Tenn. Schedules Five Executions For June 28 (none / 0) (#14)
    by Johnny on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 09:43:20 AM EST
    If someone is too "mentally ill" to know that killing people is wrong, doesn't that just make them MORE dangerous?
    Your whole argument, and Narius' as well, is so close to the obvious next step... Anyone ever see "Minority Report"? Just don't have retarded babies. See? That whole personal responsibility thing has a ring to it!

    Re: Tenn. Schedules Five Executions For June 28 (none / 0) (#15)
    by Peaches on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 09:59:00 AM EST
    Sort of. Although in Minnesota's defense, it was the Federal Government that perpetrated the executions, not the state. It was Lincoln, actually.
    Well, sort of, Eric. But, don't be too quick to defend Minnesota in this case. Authorities in Minnesota, including governor Alexandra Ramsey asked Lincoln for permission to immediately execute 303 Santee "Souix" indian Men. Lincoln granted permission to execute 39. I think the State of Minnesota was very complicit in the carying out of the executions of these men.

    Re: Tenn. Schedules Five Executions For June 28 (none / 0) (#17)
    by HK on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 02:23:21 PM EST
    If someone is too "mentally ill" to know that killing people is wrong, doesn't that just make them MORE dangerous?
    Erm, yes. So here's an idea, why not confine them and treat them instead of executing them for being ill.

    Re: Tenn. Schedules Five Executions For June 28 (none / 0) (#18)
    by Slado on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 04:53:14 PM EST
    Dadler, But with the way we treat mental illness in this nation What is that supposed to mean? I have a mentally impared brother and the state takes very good care of him. But the state or any government can only do so much. It takes family and freinds to take care of a mentaly impared or retarted person. Without those the state is a safety net not a savior. Sorry to get sidetracked. How come anti deathpenalty activists get involved at the last minute and defend the rights of Tookie Williams and other guilty men? If people are innocent that's one thing but the anti death penalty movement does itself no favors when it stands up and defends obvious murderers. Change the law.

    Re: Tenn. Schedules Five Executions For June 28 (none / 0) (#19)
    by phat on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 11:52:39 PM EST
    If people are innocent that's one thing but the anti death penalty movement does itself no favors when it stands up and defends obvious murderers. The point is that if we have a death penalty, those who are not obviously guilty will get executed and have been executed. There is enough evidence to believe innocent people have been and will be executed if we have a death penalty. Human beings make those mistakes. Do you believe that executing the innocent is a small price to pay for executing the "obviously guilty?" You can't tell me that you are protecting innocent people from being killed, because innocent people have been executed. What's it going to be? Allowing the state to execute the innocent? Or locking the "obviously guilty" away for life, keeping them from taking innocent lives? If you don't believe that innocent people have been executed you are well outside of the mainstream in the US today. According to Gallup, 63% of Americans believe that an innocent person has been executed in the last 5 years. Any other opinion is prima facie and extremist position. Show me how all of these people are wrong in their belief. phat

    Re: Tenn. Schedules Five Executions For June 28 (none / 0) (#20)
    by Johnny on Thu Jun 22, 2006 at 12:51:01 AM EST
    If people are innocent that's one thing but the anti death penalty movement does itself no favors when it stands up and defends obvious murderers.
    OK that is a total idiot statement. What you are inferring, in your limited wrong-winger mind, is that people are mistaken at being anti-death penalty when someone is guilty of a crime, and are only anti-Dp when someone is innocent of a crime (which I hope even the stupidest of wrong-wingers agree with)... Fool-being anti-death penalty means, nothing else. Stop with the insipid attempt at idiot winger twisting of the story, and go back to anncoulter.com.

    Tenn. Schedules Five Executions For June 28 | 16 comments (16 topical)