Conservatives want new law creating life sentences with no parole

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Interesting. I suspect, or hope, that might change if the death penalty was on the table.

Different trials, different jury, different judge. All leading to multiple convictions which would allow (in my world.. although I do realize that I'm in the minority here) the death penalty to be implemented.

I also know that implementing the death penalty, as an option in some murder cases in Canada, is extremely unlikely to happen.

Would cost a fortune, take decades and it is extremely unlikely that any of our current worse killers, Pickton or Olson, would be convicted of many of their crimes separately.

Almost always with serial killers they get done for one strong case, usually the most recent, then the much weaker evidence from the historic cases is judged in the light of the really strong first count, take away all the evidence of the first case, the blood and body parts in the kitchen etc and all the other cases tend to be very circumstantial, a body found up a road and a similar car seen on CCTV at the gas station down the road or the like.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

Would cost a fortune, take decades and it is extremely unlikely that any of our current worse killers, Pickton or Olson, would be convicted of many of their crimes separately.

Almost always with serial killers they get done for one strong case, usually the most recent, then the much weaker evidence from the historic cases is judged in the light of the really strong first count, take away all the evidence of the first case, the blood and body parts in the kitchen etc and all the other cases tend to be very circumstantial, a body found up a road and a similar car seen on CCTV at the gas station down the road or the like.

I'm trying to figure out a way of convicting a serial killer where there is absolutely no doubt that he is in fact a serial killer.. and therefore the death penalty could be given and this planet would be forever rid of this scum (and not have to go through the torture that Olson's victims parents and family did for the years that he was in prison and what he did while in prison).

... work with me here...

[afc wimbledon]

In the case of Pickton they had DNA evidence for a few of the missing women, but a bunch of the cases were based on missing girls ID's and belongings found in on his farm, if you try it separately there is no way he is convicted on that, it only becomes damming if you add it to the DNA evidence of the other cases.

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by Rerun

I'm trying to figure out a way of convicting a serial killer where there is absolutely no doubt that he is in fact a serial killer.. and therefore the death penalty could be given and this planet would be forever rid of this scum (and not have to go through the torture that Olson's victims parents and family did for the years that he was in prison and what he did while in prison).

... work with me here...

There is no way, we have had some egregious cases of pathologist and coroner incompetence both in the states and the UK where the forensic evidence has been faked in order to get convictions, and the worse the murder the greater the pressure to fit some poor sap up.

[Rerun]

^^^ if only we had a machine that could read minds.... <sigh>

[Antithesis]

I just don't understand the desire to implement the death penalty. We'd be joining countries such as China, Iran, Iraq and Somalia in its use (just as a sample). These aren't exactly bastions of human rights. Why would we want to join that group?

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Rerun

^^^ if only we had a machine that could read minds.... <sigh>

Okay, well then since we don't live in Rerun's fictional world of magical machines, maybe, just maybe preventative rehabilitation programs offer a viable solution and therefore shouldn't be cut in favour of an idea that serves to only placate a portion of the population with unrealistic, ineffective, vengeful, and inhumane principles of justice.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Okay, well then since we don't live in Rerun's fictional world of magical machines, maybe, just maybe preventative rehabilitation programs offer a viable solution and therefore shouldn't be cut in favour of an idea that serves only placate a portion of the population with unrealistic, ineffective, vengeful, and inhumane principles of justice.

I knew I could count on you for a snappy response like this.

[Antithesis]

Rerun, he raises an important point. You have to acknowledge that. Castrating criminals and re-implementing the death penalty is simply not something that is going to happen in Canada any time soon. Therefore, what we should all do is focus on those things that we can do to reduce the impact and frequency of criminal behaviour in our country. Programs such as those discussed by rube in his post have been incredibly efficient and yet they are facing - or have already experienced - significant budgetary cutbacks, and to what end? To score political points? I know you mentioned that you'll vote for the Conservatives no matter what as they're your team, so to speak, but to me this shouldn't even be a political issue.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Antithesis

Rerun, he raises an important point. You have to acknowledge that. Castrating criminals and re-implementing the death penalty is simply not something that is going to happen in Canada any time soon. Therefore, what we should all do is focus on those things that we can do to reduce the impact and frequency of criminal behaviour in our country. Programs such as those discussed by rube in his post have been incredibly efficient and yet they are facing - or have already experienced - significant budgetary cutbacks, and to what end? To score political points? I know you mentioned that you'll vote for the Conservatives no matter what as they're your team, so to speak, but to me this shouldn't even be a political issue.

Yes he does raise valid points (however its the condescending way he usually raised them that gets my hackles up). And, even though I support the CPC, I don't agree with all their policies. I agree that programs like these shouldn't face cutbacks. And I also agree that the new bill, discussed in this thread is pure political bs and won't change a thing. It'll only give the appearance of change.