JALLEN wrote:
The problem with all the talk about exoneration rates is few people who bring it up want to talk specifically about how to change the system to prevent it. They just want to complain about getting rid of the death penalty or something.
I admit I am interested in getting rid of the death penalty, but only for innocent defendants.
I don't know how best to prevent it, but it is a very serious defect in our justice system.
I also remember a man who was exonerated after more than 20 years in prison, freed by conclusive proof that he had nothing to do with the murder he had been convicted of. He had been sentenced to death, but some paperwork foul up had delayed it. "Miscarriage of justice" hardly covers it. I wrote Governor Perry to recommend Perry appoint him to a job on his staff working on mistakes in the justice system.
You have to be very careful about the "exonerations" that take place in many of these cases that are brought by anti-death penalty groups. They aren't necessarily proving innocence, but introducing enough doubt that the person cannot be proven guilty. Of course, they should then be cleared if there is any doubt, but I'm not convinced given the rarity of the death penalty that any innocent person has ever been executed...since 1978 when SCOTUS allowed it again.
It will all be moot by next year when Hillary appoints her new justice(s) who will repeal the death penalty via judicial fiat.
