Stanley 'Tookie' Williams

[Stu Bloom]

Originally Posted by Marc P.

... In situations where a murder is planned and thought out, of course the killer has time to weigh the consequences of the action vs. the repercussions. In these situations the potential of the death penalty can help prevent further action from being taken. However, in spontaneous or emotional murder, say a husband coming home to his wife with another man, there is no planning involved. It happens there and then as a result of intense, uncontrollable emotions- without stopping to consider the consequences. Often, these cases are plead as temporary insanity. But the point remains, in that situation the threat of the death penalty never makes it into the killer's head because it happens so fast...

In most cases not involving a pre-meditated murder the death penalty would not be pursued anyway.

Originally Posted by Wetzel

...I don't understand how killing one person makes someone else worth more...

I don't see anything about increasing anyone's worth. I believe what Mike said was that the death penalty shows respect for the value of the victim's life.