I can't believe I live in a country that still allows capital punishment.
I can't believe I live in a country that carries out the death penalty on a person who very likely could be innocent. I am against the death penalty in all cases, but Troy Davis' case has just left me dumbfounded and heartbroken. I blogged recently about Casey Anthony and how our justice system isn't perfect and we don't always get it right. I wondered then where the angry mobs of people were when an innocent person is prosecuted. When an innocent person is put to death. That is likely what happened last night in Georgia. It crushes me to think about it.
It's not that I don't think people should be held accountable for their actions. I do. But, I don't believe that the State should play God. And, please don't point me to Leviticus 24:20 unless you are willing to follow the other 600 or so laws in the Old Testament. And, don't tell me that his lawyers failed him because I believe that there were factors other than incompetant lawyers at play here (not the least of which is racism). And, don't try to sell me on the fact that there is always collateral damage in war. I've heard all of the arguments and there is no way I'll ever be convinced that capital punishment is okay. Especially in this case.
There was doubt in this case. We are not 100% sure than he committed the crime. Yes, I know he was convicted, but sometimes we get it wrong. The jury members have admitted that if they knew then what they know now, they would not have voted to convict him. And now he is dead. And Mark MacPhail is still dead. And, I don't believe there has been any justice in his murder. And, it proves to me once again that the State cannot be trusted with capital punishment.
It is worth noting that another man was executed last night in Texas. The crime was heinous and there is no doubt that Lawrence Russell Brewer played a role in the hate crime again James Byrd, Jr. And yet, the victim's own son objected, saying "you can't fight murder with murder". Amen.
I believe in a just God and I know that He will deal with Troy Davis and Lawrence Russell Brewer accordingly. It's my only comfort today.
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