03/09/2004: 
Stuff That Doesn't Suck
Sniper Killer Muhammad Sentenced to Death
By Matthew Barakat, Associated Press
A judge rejected John Allen Muhammad's insistence of innocence and sentenced him to death Tuesday, saying his actions in the Washington-area sniper shootings that left 10 people dead were "so vile that they were almost beyond comprehension."
Circuit Judge LeRoy F. Millette Jr. also turned aside a plea from Muhammad's lawyers to spare their client's life. He ordered that Muhammad be executed on Oct. 14, but that date likely will be postponed to allow appeals.
Muhammad denied any involvement in the killings Tuesday, telling the judge, "Don't make a fool of the Constitution of the United States of America."
"Just like I said at the beginning, I had nothing to do with this, and I'll say again, I had nothing to do with this," Muhammad said.
Lets see, one modified car with hidden snipers perch, check. One rifle, forensically tied to 8 of 10 Washington shootings as well as 2 others in Louisiana and Alabama, check. One laptop computer with files detailing the shooting locations, check. Yep, he had nothing to do with it. Let him go boys.
6 Annotations Submitted
Tuesday the 9th of March, prof noted:
change it to stuff that does suck. the state should not hold the power to take a man's life without just cause. how many people in indiana were cleared by dna after they had been on death row? it's not right. i dont care how evil you are. whatever god/karma you belive in should be the judge. and if you are an atheist, you will agree that men suffer more in jail for 50 years than 10 seconds on the chair. and don't give me that bull about paying to feed convicts when it would be cheaper to execute them. since when do we measure human lives in dollars? and even if we did, years of appeals make it not even cost effective. don't let him back in to society, but don't kill him either.
Tuesday the 9th of March, IBNR noted:
Spout that garbage at the families of the dead. I agree in some cases the evidence is lacking but in this case give me a break. The man does not deserve to be taken care of for 50 years. If it was up to me I would have him picked off with a sniper rifle.
Tuesday the 9th of March, awiggins noted:
When he committed these crimes he knew full well what the potential consequences of his actions were. Yet he continued upon his chosen course. Even without the "cost-benefit" analysis of death versus life imprisonment, it is clear that he deserves what he has brought upon himself.
In order for society to function laws are necessary. How else can you expect to put a couple million people in a place the size of Manhattan and not expect them to kill each other? Thousands of years of recorded human history, since before the time of Hammurabi, has shown that man is forever ready to slip back into savagery given the slightest chance.
How else can you hope to suppress the more undesirable traits of humanity? Throwing him in prison only adds to the burden of an overtaxed prison system that is meant to "rehabilitate" and is unable to do anything of the sort. Making examples of the worst offenders seems to be the best answer at this time. If you have a better answer, then civilization is waiting for you to take us to the next level.
Tuesday the 9th of March, prof noted:
"Spout that garbage at the families of the dead"
will killing him bring the victims back? will it bring "closure"? its another word for revenge.
has the death penalty ever been proven to be an effective deterrent? cite one study and i'll back off
Tuesday the 9th of March, IBNR noted:
You would have to talk to the families but I am guessing about 75% would say YES.
It will be hard to find a study because most are tainted by liberal academics - but when you know the actions you are about to take can result in the loss of your life you will think twice - regardless of what a bunch of hippies tell you.
Peace out boys !
Tuesday the 9th of March, awiggins noted:
"will killing him bring the victims back? will it bring "closure"? its another word for revenge."
What does it say about the value of Stephanie's life when the man who tortured, raped and killed her is provided with clean clothes, three square meals a day and cable television? Gideon will enjoy all of those things while, in the words of Stephanie's father, "my daughter is in a ditch.""has the death penalty ever been proven to be an effective deterrent? cite one study and i'll back off"
http://www.spub.ksu.edu/issues/v099b/sp/n091/opn-Hart-2-1.html
I believe this references a few studies. Though from my brief researching I would have to say that all studies are so biased, one way or the other, that they are virtually worthless. As I said before, if you have a better answer, then civilization is waiting for you to take us to the next level.
