People's desire for "justice" and life sentences for all do seem to decline when you realize how much money it costs to keep a person in jail. That money has to come from somewhere - but I would contend that a lot of people - a LOT of them - would be freaking out over higher taxes to pay for these tougher sentences. I'm not saying I think the sentence here is right or wrong - I'm just saying the money for what people are clamouring for has to come from somewhere.
At some point, the justice system, and we as a society in a broader sense, has to look at the resources available to us and determine the best way to use them ... if it is impossible to keep a 13 year old locked up for their entire life - we are talking about 60+ years of incarceration - what is the next best alternative? Is it trying to reform them? To educate them?
As to those saying she should "ride the lightning", you only have to look to places like Texas and California to realize it is not the best solution. First of all, you have to be damn sure the person you are giving the death penalty to is the 'right person' and that the sentence is the correct one.
According to this website (
http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/drowfacts.htm), the average amount of time spent on death row is over 10 years. This raises some important points:
1. That person is going to spend their entire 10 year average stay on death row appealing their case, usually right up to the last minute. That is not only expensive - paying for the lawyers and such, but also keeping this person incarcerated.
2. Since that person is spending their entire 10 year average stay in appeals, they are tying up other parts of the justice system, which either slows justice for other people or raises costs to hire more judges and lawyers ...
I think when one looks at their beliefs about the justice system, there are questions that need to be answered:
- What are you seeking? Justice or revenge?
- What result will be best in all aspects for the society? Yes - it is unfair that economics must be taken in to account in these things but that is how it is.
It is easy to suggest the death penalty for a stranger who has been a party to a horrible, horrible crime - but would it be so easy if it was your friend? Your brother?