Texas executes 400th inmate

[One2Snoop]

August 22, 2007

Texas executes 400th inmate

HOUSTON, Texas (Reuters) -- Texas, which leads the nation in carrying out the death penalty, has executed the 400th person since the state resumed capital punishment in 1982.


Johnny Ray Conner, 32, who was convicted in the shooting death of a convenience store owner in Houston in 1998, was on Wednesday the 21st man put to death by lethal injection in Texas this year.

He spent nearly eight years on death row.

Texas resumed the practice after the Supreme Court lifted a moratorium on it in 1976. Since then, 1,092 people have been executed in the United States, including Conner, according to statistics from the Death Penalty Information Center.

Conner's execution in Huntsville, located north of Houston, has drawn sharp criticism from death penalty opponents who argue that the practice is inhumane and does not serve as a deterrent to crime.

snip

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/08/22/texas.execution.reut/index.html

[sallynuts]

August 22, 2007

Texas executes 400th inmate

HOUSTON, Texas (Reuters) -- Texas, which leads the nation in carrying out the death penalty, has executed the 400th person since the state resumed capital punishment in 1982.


Johnny Ray Conner, 32, who was convicted in the shooting death of a convenience store owner in Houston in 1998, was on Wednesday the 21st man put to death by lethal injection in Texas this year.

He spent nearly eight years on death row.

Texas resumed the practice after the Supreme Court lifted a moratorium on it in 1976. Since then, 1,092 people have been executed in the United States, including Conner, according to statistics from the Death Penalty Information Center.

Conner's execution in Huntsville, located north of Houston, has drawn sharp criticism from death penalty opponents who argue that the practice is inhumane and does not serve as a deterrent to crime.

snip

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/08/22/texas.execution.reut/index.html

WELL,, umm,

i don't think this case will serve to deter pple,,, i don't think the death penalty does,, not that i'm not in favour of it,,, just that,,, i don't think those pple who commit murder, ever even think of the death penalty as a consequence,, i don't know why,, i just don't think they do,,, after all,, if they did ,, would there be so many on death row??? and lets face it,, if they did,, there would not be so many 'psychopaths living' among normal ppl? would there? if not for the psychotherapists,,,

interesting therey??? or the truth??

JMHO....


' i have see the truth and it makes no sense whatsoever'.....

[sarge204]

I see your point, Sally and agree that the DP doesn't deter some. I've interrogated a few morderers who pee a litle when the penalty is adressed. Sometimes the only satisfaction is that this scum will never kill or rape again.
Thanks,
Sarge204

[Gaiar]

I'm not sure I really put much faith in the DP. Though I tend to think that Texas goes a little overboard with it. I doubt in Texas theres that many more serial killers, repeat criminals, people that deserve the DP then LA, FL, NV ect, Though from 1977-2005 Texas had about 313 executions while the second most significant state was VA with 89, followed by OK with 69, and FL with 57. Its hard to believe Texas has that many criminals that deserve death that it beats the next three larger states even.

[TuscanDreams]

I'm not sure I really put much faith in the DP. Though I tend to think that Texas goes a little overboard with it. I doubt in Texas theres that many more serial killers, repeat criminals, people that deserve the DP then LA, FL, NV ect, Though from 1977-2005 Texas had about 313 executions while the second most significant state was VA with 89, followed by OK with 69, and FL with 57. Its hard to believe Texas has that many criminals that deserve death that it beats the next three larger states even.

I agree, but I used to be a candle-carrying anti-death penatly advocate. I changed my mind when I started working in law enforcement, certain persons can not be rehabilitated and are a risk, even in prison. An example is Ted Bundy, he escaped from the institution.

[certoceto]

According to the information given to us by One2snoop,in the last 31 years the total amount of Death Sentences carried out in the U.S.A. is 1,092, which works out at 35 people per year. This shows that from a population of 300 million plus, that the yearly execution rate is barely measurable. This fact should be compared to the U.K. pre 1964. When we had the DP the amount of murder was negligible and the death penalty was carried out a couple of times per year. Since the abolition of the Death Penalty, murder has increased so profoundly that we now have to dedicate 'Catagory A' prisons to house the murderers. Just think what would happen in the U.S. if the DP was abolished. It doese not bear thinking about. You should be proud of Yourselves, for such a large country You bend over backwards to ensure murderers have years of appeals before they meet their justly deserved fate.
Please, don't take the easy route out of the arguement KEEP THE DEATH PENALTY! IT DOES WORK!
Stop press-As i write this, it has just been announced that two sisters aged 4 yrs and 14yrs have just been stabbed to death not five miles from where i live...Poor murderer..he must be so worried about being caught!

[Wichita]

I agree that murderers are not thinking of the death penalty. They are too narcissistic to think they might even be caught. Unplanned murders committed in the heat of passion are not thought about at all prior to the act. Serial murderers spend copious amounts of time covering their crime to avoid responsibility as a matter of "intellectual" pursuit. They are just smarter than everyone else, and therefore, will not be caught. Accountability never enters their minds, and the only thing they are ever sorry for is getting caught. Sometimes burglars commit murders to avoid later identification, as do sex criminals who are not necessarily sadists. The death penalty is not a deterrent to crime until it is carried out. The one upon who it is served will commit no further crimes. Many psychopaths never commit murder. Neither do a majority of the insane. Yet, insanity is considered as a defense in many cases, especially when there is no question of guilt, other than "He had to have been crazy to do that." Even if the murderer is insane, should he be spared? I knew a woman once who sacrificed her 5 year old daughter on the alter to satan. (I refuse to capitalize 'satan') She was sent to an institution because she was schizophrenic. When she was competent to stand trial, Texas decided to drop the charges rather than spend the tax payers money to prosecute her. She moved to California, and promptly got pregnant again. I have no idea whether she has sacrificed that child. Justice? I think not. Death penalty? Oh, yeah.....

[Wichita]

Look at the size of Texas, both geographically and through the census. There are gazillions of people living there. Consequently, there will be more criminals. I haven't checked, but I'd be willing to speculate that the prison population in Texas is higher than the population of Wyoming. Perhaps that's why there are so many more deserving the death penalty. It's not because Texas is some backward, jerkwater place. They just deal effectively with those who desperately deserve it. Sometimes.....

[accordn2me]

I agree that murderers are not thinking of the death penalty. They are too narcissistic to think they might even be caught. Unplanned murders committed in the heat of passion are not thought about at all prior to the act. Serial murderers spend copious amounts of time covering their crime to avoid responsibility as a matter of "intellectual" pursuit. They are just smarter than everyone else, and therefore, will not be caught. Accountability never enters their minds, and the only thing they are ever sorry for is getting caught. Sometimes burglars commit murders to avoid later identification, as do sex criminals who are not necessarily sadists. The death penalty is not a deterrent to crime until it is carried out. The one upon who it is served will commit no further crimes. Many psychopaths never commit murder. Neither do a majority of the insane. Yet, insanity is considered as a defense in many cases, especially when there is no question of guilt, other than "He had to have been crazy to do that." Even if the murderer is insane, should he be spared? I knew a woman once who sacrificed her 5 year old daughter on the alter to satan. (I refuse to capitalize 'satan') She was sent to an institution because she was schizophrenic. When she was competent to stand trial, Texas decided to drop the charges rather than spend the tax payers money to prosecute her. She moved to California, and promptly got pregnant again. I have no idea whether she has sacrificed that child. Justice? I think not. Death penalty? Oh, yeah.....Finally! Someone who thinks like I do on the "no excuses" otherwise known as defenses for murderers who commit capital crimes. You might not be as radical as I on this but that's OK. Frankly, I can't think of even one good reason a murderer should be spared (e.g. insanity, any kind of abuse, age, IQ, impairment....). Commit capital murder, death penalty should follow, swiftly and certainly.

[Wichita]

I know I'll be held in contempt by some for saying this, but I don't think insanity is a defense to the mutilation of another human being. It doesn't matter to me whether voices told them to do it, or whatever....I have seen other's opine that there should be a cleansing of the "gene pool" for the likes of Homolka, et al, yet , for some reason we think a paranoid schizophrenic can be cured with medication to the point that voices won't tell him to kill his mother. When they murder, they are no different than Bundy, Gacy, BTK, etc. Let's put them down. We do it for sick animals....

[accordn2me]

I know I'll be held in contempt by some for saying this, but I don't think insanity is a defense to the mutilation of another human being. It doesn't matter to me whether voices told them to do it, or whatever....I have seen other's opine that there should be a cleansing of the "gene pool" for the likes of Homolka, et al, yet , for some reason we think a paranoid schizophrenic can be cured with medication to the point that voices won't tell him to kill his mother. When they murder, they are no different than Bundy, Gacy, BTK, etc. Let's put them down. We do it for sick animals....I'll be right there with you. I would completely reject an insanity defense, or a drug defence, or an alcohol defense, or low IQ, or age, you name it I say NOPE......DIE.

[Charon]

I know I'll be held in contempt by some for saying this, but I don't think insanity is a defense to the mutilation of another human being. It doesn't matter to me whether voices told them to do it, or whatever....I have seen other's opine that there should be a cleansing of the "gene pool" for the likes of Homolka, et al, yet , for some reason we think a paranoid schizophrenic can be cured with medication to the point that voices won't tell him to kill his mother. When they murder, they are no different than Bundy, Gacy, BTK, etc. Let's put them down. We do it for sick animals....

I've seen and dealt with MANY insane people in my career and some of those guys I even liked. Killers pleading insane and proven insane is a different kettle of fish. It is specifically these killers we need to "put down" as you so kindly stated. Insanity = 0% chance of rehab, is it not? They are walking time bombs and an infinite threat to society.

I dont see why the world at large should be threatened by a handfull of killers awaiting parole. Iraq's Sadam "threatened" the world and was captured by the US and handed over to be executed by a mob. The procedure made me sick but the job was done. Since then the country went to hell, but if this is something anyone wants to point out as a "result", I'd suggest that we all wait and see what happens once the US and others withdraw. Even now, there are killer on the loose that does not value life and they will keep it up until they too are eventualy killed. This, unfortunately are realities and no conviction or sentiment will change it.

Hang 'em high!

[Wichita]

I am not a clinical psychologist, but I, too, have known some "crazy" people, and have compassion for them. One fellow in my town is a convicted murderer. He is also a diagnosed "Paranoid Schizophrenic". He murdered a liquor store clerk with a shotgun during a botched robbery. He was convicted, notwithstanding his disorder, and went to prison for a shocking 20 years. While in prison, he was transferred to the state mental institution for the criminally insane. He spent the lions share of his sentence there, and was eventually returned to the pen, where he was later paroled. Since his release, he has been admitted to the psych ward on numerous occasions after he ceased taking his medications, and went running naked through the business district. He writes scriptures in chalk on the sidewalk, as well as other religious quotes from Buddhism, Islam, etc. He has never killed again, but he brags about his conviction when he really wants to shock someone. Is he a time bomb? Should he be running loose? If he does kill again, who is responsible? If he does kill again, will he be held unaccountable because of his mental illness? He is a killer, and should be locked up, or six feet under. It really doesn't matter which one.... Am I bad for feeling this way?

[accordn2me]

I am not a clinical psychologist, but I, too, have known some "crazy" people, and have compassion for them. One fellow in my town is a convicted murderer. He is also a diagnosed "Paranoid Schizophrenic". He murdered a liquor store clerk with a shotgun during a botched robbery. He was convicted, notwithstanding his disorder, and went to prison for a shocking 20 years. While in prison, he was transferred to the state mental institution for the criminally insane. He spent the lions share of his sentence there, and was eventually returned to the pen, where he was later paroled. Since his release, he has been admitted to the psych ward on numerous occasions after he ceased taking his medications, and went running naked through the business district. He writes scriptures in chalk on the sidewalk, as well as other religious quotes from Buddhism, Islam, etc. He has never killed again, but he brags about his conviction when he really wants to shock someone. Is he a time bomb? Should he be running loose? If he does kill again, who is responsible? If he does kill again, will he be held unaccountable because of his mental illness? He is a killer, and should be locked up, or six feet under. It really doesn't matter which one.... Am I bad for feeling this way?You might be bad (you don't seem bad), but it's not because you feel the way you do about insane killers.

Whatever makes a human being commit capital murder.....nature (born killer) or nurture (lack of).....they are dangerous and defective (doubtful they can be "corrected" by any means in this world).....and they should be "released." Released in the sense that their soul is sent back to our Maker. S/He can correct them. Maybe their soul will get another chance to come back to Earth and try to learn the lessons we are sent here to learn.

Here's a book suggestion for you Wichita (and everybody): The Giver by Lois Lowery

[accordn2me]

Allright I'm trying to make sense of this. A person who feels tortured ( in life, who can't cope with the ups and downs and attempts suicide can be locked up as suicide is illegal. However if the same "defective" person kills another person for whatever reason (paranoia and schizophrenia come to mind) it's ok to kill him/her?

Makes for great revenge, but it sure isn't logical.Suicide being illegal isn't logical, is it? :shrug:

[wind149]

Most people would have looked at what Jeffrey Dalmer had done and think Geez, this guy has to be insane and when when push comes to shove for the trial he is found not to be and was convicted many times over and then an inmate took him out. No great loss there. Andrea Yates. Drowned her 5 children because the Lord told her to. She was charged with first degree murder, surely was looked upon for the death penalty and found guilty. Then a new trial and this time she gets committed to a nut-hatch. Yeah, but for how long? I fear one day they will release her and she is young, she could have more kids and that is why I never want to see her out. John Hinkley is still locked up and has been since about 1981. He tried to kill Ron Reagan and was obsessed over Jodie Foster. I think a lot of people who are just plain manipulators who cop the nut plea to get out of more time. Couey tried the retard defense as you can't execute someone who is retarded, but that blew up in his pig face as his IQ was at 90 and not 70 as required by law. Still, it will be years before the maggot scumbag is executed. I seen a case in VT where this guy claimed he killed two people because his dog told him to. Sound familiar? Son of Sam in NYC claimed his dog told him to kill too. I think he thought prosecutors in VT would not have heard about Sam. They had, no one bought his crap story and he went away for 35-75. Whining all the way. It is scum like him that try to manipulate the system is why some people who are genuinely mentally ill get a bad rap as well. As for trying to beat the DP, how many do you think has tried this? "Oh I am sick this is why I just raped and murdered three women, I don't know why I did this, somebody shoot me" At trial plays the bewildered, remorseful, hang dog, and when a shrink from the prosecution cross examines him, he sees right through his soul and game and advises that he is trying to play the system. The doctor goes on to say that this man is completely devoid of any emotions unless it is about his own self. He knew right from wrong. He also had priors of domestic violence incidents. The jury came out with GUILTY and on all counts. Now he tries to go from intellectual to some big dummy act hoping the DP will not be applied. Backfired on him and he got the DP and was executed last year in OH. This is a true story and one that shows you how the DP is needed. We can't have Jeffrey Dahlmer's running around, We can't have scum like Couey preying on our children and instead of listening to the idiot bleeders about how inhumane it is for these losers to get a needle, I put them on ignore and write letters in support of the DP and give examples of why it is needed.

[drola3]

Allright I'm trying to make sense of this. A person who feels tortured ( in life, who can't cope with the ups and downs and attempts suicide can be locked up as suicide is illegal. However if the same "defective" person kills another person for whatever reason (paranoia and schizophrenia come to mind) it's ok to kill him/her?

Makes for great revenge, but it sure isn't logical.

Sure it's logical. If the "defective" person attempts suicide then it is a cry for help, and should be treated as such. However if the "defective" person murders some innocent person it is NOT a cry for help, and he should be put to death. Very simple.

[accordn2me]

I take it is a fallible human that decides that the person is uhm "defective"? If the "defective" person successfully commits suicide, does he or she win? If the person who attempted to commit suicide is left with disabilities, should that person be executed for attempting to commit suicide?How ridiculous is this notion! About as ridiculous as the notion that we should charge someone who was "successful" at their suicide attempt with a crime.

Suicide should be a "right," an option...indeed it is....not a crime! And suicide surely would never qualify as a capital murder. You should familiarize yourself with what a capital crime is. That would help you understand why yours is such a crazy question.

[Joe Public]

WELL,, umm,

i don't think this case will serve to deter pple,,, i don't think the death penalty does,, not that i'm not in favour of it,,, just that,,, i don't think those pple who commit murder, ever even think of the death penalty as a consequence,, i don't know why,, i just don't think they do,,, after all,, if they did ,, would there be so many on death row??? and lets face it,, if they did,, there would not be so many 'psychopaths living' among normal ppl? would there? if not for the psychotherapists,,,

interesting therey??? or the truth??

JMHO....


' i have see the truth and it makes no sense whatsoever'.....

~This is not directed at you but just making a point on this statement.~

If I may ask, how many times have you stated that you would kill someone joking or not? My guess is everyone has done it at least once some time or another in their life. What stopped you?

How many times have you been cut-off in traffic and wanted to kill the guy that did it? What stopped you?

These questions are a little silly I'll admit but they work for my purpose. Now here's the question that will bring this into focus. Would you kill the guy that kidnapped, raped, and murdered you daughter/son?

You probably wouldn't kill anyone from the first two scenarios but what about the last one? If you answered that you would kill the guy responsible is this not the same (in essence) as what the court does in sentencing these people to death? And if you answered no to this question, then WHY wouldn't you want your kidnapped and raped child's killer put to death?

Please think about this for a few minutes before responding.

[Wichita]

Where is the rest of this thread? Am I violating some rules that I don't know about? I had a rather long answer to Chocoholic, but I didn't thing it was offensive....:confused:

[accordn2me]

Where is the rest of this thread? Am I violating some rules that I don't know about? I had a rather long answer to Chocoholic, but I didn't thing it was offensive....:confused:Did you get robbed? What a drag if you did! And to think some have compared Freshwater to God. I don't believe God is biased. Let's pray the CL moderators aren't either.