Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
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There have been some shocking statistics recently highlighting the problems with the death penalty. In America, for example, the vast majority of all executions take place in just 5 of the 51 States, and with very few exceptions most people executed have two things in common – they are poor and they are black.
That in itself is troubling, as obviously there is some sort of indication, not only of racial bias, but of people not being able to afford proper legal representation. The one compelling argument for the death penalty to be abolished, and let us not forget that America ranks right up there with China and Saudi Arabia when it comes to executing people, is how often they get it wrong. One never knows how many people have been executed incorrectly, but we do know that of those sentenced to death, more than 100 have already been found totally innocent in subsequent appeals of the crimes for which they were sentenced to death and another 25 or so have been found innocent on the basis of subsequent DNA evidence. You simply cannot justify so severe a sentence if juries and judges clearly are continually making mistakes when sentencing people to death.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Monday 17-Oct-11
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Comments
elaine said:
on Monday 17-Oct-11 01:17 PM
i do agree with the death penalty,and i think it should be brought back in this country and a few others as well,then maybe the countries in question wouldn't be in the mess there in the criminals have more rights than the poor victims,but as stated as well only when they can prove the guilt of the person beyond doubt
Bernadette said:
on Monday 17-Oct-11 01:04 PM
I do not agree in the death penalty, no man has the right to take another person’s life.
Daniela said:
on Monday 17-Oct-11 12:58 PM
LOCK them up!!!
Daniela said:
on Monday 17-Oct-11 12:57 PM
In the case of S v Makwanyane, all 15 or 20 pages of the case and about 8 or 10 Judges in total all agree that it is "cruel and inhumane" to take someone else's life, it"strips them of their dignity". In the Bill of Rights it states clearly that "every individual has the right to life".
All fair and well, not once though in this case was it mentioned that the victim was not allowed the same rights. No where did it even mention the word victim.
Whilst I feel that capital punishment should be reinstated, unfortunately sentencing the incorrect person or the fact that the courts are easily 'bought', would mean that it would not be a just system.
Instead, we lick them up for life and feed and clothe and educate crimials.
Genevieve said:
on Monday 17-Oct-11 12:51 PM
I think that with our crime stats, drastic action needs to be taken. In Saudi Arabia if you steal, they cut your fingers off. The penalty fits the crime. I think if an example is made of a few, we can bring the crime stats down. But then again, some public services are so corrupt, they will "jippo" the system anyway.
Nadia said:
on Monday 17-Oct-11 12:50 PM
I agree that a person can not be executed unless there is DNA evidence available - there were a lot of mistakes made in the past – this can not longer be tolerated in world were technology can prevent it... the sad fact however is that some countries are still behind with technology.
Dee said:
on Monday 17-Oct-11 12:49 PM
executing*
"execute"*
executed*
Whoops!
Ting said:
on Monday 17-Oct-11 12:48 PM
I have heard that China has a very strict law system, that for instance if you are found with drugs you are to be sentenced to death 'immediatly'
Bianca said:
on Monday 17-Oct-11 12:47 PM
Some crimes are so bad that people say the criminal deserves the death penalty however I do believe that one man does not have another right to take someone's life and also does not have a right to say that they deserve to be put to death. If a party or a group of people decide that someone should be executed, does that not make you just as bad as the criminal that committed the crime?
Dee said:
on Monday 17-Oct-11 12:46 PM
I do believe that the death sentence should be reinstated in South Africa. However, with mistakes being made one has to be so careful with excuting and unfortunately, it just will not work here as South African's are most likely to take it upon themselves to "excute" people and would more than likely be the innocent ones. There is such a backlog in the SA courts already, on what level would the excution be decided?
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
