Judicial death follies

Recently Arkansas news has been dominated by scheduled executions and expiration dates on drugs used in the executions. It appears most of these last-minute lawsuits were motivated by a desire to harass and delay until time expired—for the execution or drug usage. One wonders if the stays of execution issued by various judges were truly based upon merit or on emotion. If there were valid issues, they should have been litigated and resolved at some time during the previous 20 to 25 years or so.

Organized demonstrations supporting non-executions tout the rights of the murderer, but rarely those of the victims or the pain and suffering of the victim(s) and their families. Some of the protesters usually carry biblical signs saying “Thou shalt not kill” but not “Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death.” Thus, thou shall not kill, but if you do, the murderer shall be put to death (executed).

Concern is sometimes expressed that the method of execution may be painful to the murderer during execution—did the murderer exhibit such concern for his victim? Maybe the murderer should be executed in the same manner as was used on the victim(s). Certainly that would be fair. Otherwise it may be time for the state of Arkansas to consider adopting alternate methods of execution, such as the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, etc. Think about it!

HOMER LAWRENCE

Malvern