I saw a movie last night called 'Redemption' based on a true story about a man that started a criminal gang that ended up spreading so far there was no stopping it. Blacks killing their own, killing innocent people, children that were in the way.
He went to prison and lived on death row for 6 years. In that time he came to realize his mistakes and completely turned his beliefs around. He created a book with the help of a journalist who was very interested in his life story. He then created a series of childrens books that taught about gangs and how terrible they are. These books became famous in the US, Japan, Europe and other countries. He received a Nobel Prize for Peace.
Many appeals to extend his stay in prison even try to be freed eventually were all denied. He was put to death in December 2005 on schedule.

Do you think this man was rightfully put to death or do you think he should have been able to continue his teachings?

I have always believed, and taught my children, that there are consequences for your actions. This man suffered the consequences for his actions. His "redemption" was in realizing that he had caused a great deal of pain and suffering, and then found a way to try and counter that.

Does that change what he did and the damage that was done because of it? I'm sure if you asked his victims and the families that lost a loved one because of him the answer would be "no."

If he was sincere in his efforts to be a changed man, to make a positive difference, and to atone for what he'd done, then he found peace.

However, in eyes of many people ~ and the law ~ his death meant that justice was served.

Tough call sometimes though!

I know the story you're talking about, though I can't recall the guy's name right off-hand. I didn't realize there was a movie made.

Yes, sorry to say, he committed the crimes and was rightfully and legally sentenced. I believe, if I'm remembering correctly, that even he believed his sentence was just and that he had made peace with it.

Yes, he did do a good thing and he did turn things around not only for himself but for countless others, he ended up being a very positive role model. If there's an afterlife, I believe he will be judged accordingly.

Stanley Williams (Tookie)

I think that even if he had to stay in prison for the rest of his life...he still should have had the chance to be able to change more lives for the good.
To take such a horrible man and have him turned around THAT much has GOT to say something.

The Death Penalty is always wrong. And over half the people in prison are innocent. Seems like everytime someone actually reopens these cases, it turns out that the person was wrongfully convicted. I dont believe anything the state or federal government says. You shouldnt either. They are just a bunch of parasties out to make a buck off of the people. Making money off of suffering. They are the ones destroying society.

so even if a serial killer admits his killings...he should still be able to stay alive?

Its a hard lesson to learn..

I know the story youre talking about..

A good one.. he did turn around the way he thought and the things he believed..

however that doesnt change the facts..he was still convicted and rightfully so and still sentenced to death... it doesnt change anything he did in his past.. it doesnt bring back his victims.. their families still ache for their loss..redemption doesnt fill the void in your heart....you know the one where your childs love use to be...

Now i answered the question...in my post above..

Now I gotta say I agree with lee...

The death penalty is wrong.. there are too many times the justice system fails us and convicts the wrong person...

let em sit in a prison for the rest of their lives.. but killing a human being is killing a human being.. murder is murder..

I'm not going to argue the ethics or morality of the death pentalty, I'm ambivalent on the subject and most likely always will be. However, to address your assertion that most people are wrongfully convicted, I think you're mistaken. Some are, of course, our legal system is flawed because people are flawed. However, in the case we're discussing, he never denied committing the crimes he was convicted of. He confessed and was convicted. Therefore, your argument, in the instant case anyway, that the dealth penalty is always wrong because most of the people are wrongfully convicted is flawed.

What if he was allowed to work with the families that he broke apart? Make him stand face to face with the people he hurt most.

I am not sure where I stand with the death penalty but Lee, where in the world do you get your statistics? 50% are INNOCENT? puhhhhhhhhhhhhhleeze. You know I love you but that is pure BS.

playing devil's advocate here....

would you rather pay for these murderers to sit in jail with their cable tvs, games, and free food at taxpayers expense?

if they are convicted 100% no doubt...do you still disagree with the death penalty?
Sadam Hussein, Hitler, what about those?

I believe he did that. Still, it doesn't excuse what he did. He is being punished for a particular event in his life, not for the whole of it. It's unfortunate, maybe, but it is what it is.

Not getting a fair trial and not getting adequate legal representation is the same as being innocent. In that case 80% of the folks in prison are innocent. 1 out of every 149 Americans is in prison. The vast majority of people in prison are in for non-violent crimes. Its an industry. We have private prisons now. Thats just wrong in my book. If it was up to me I would let most of these people out.

Ok.. Ill bite...

Yes I would rather pay for them to sit in prison and have 3 meals a day , cable tv, access to the net, all of that , then accidentally kill ONE innocent person..

What if theyre convicted and theres no doubt...100% no doubt... nope..let em sit in prison, KARMAs a b!tch..

good points

The death penalty has not deterred ANYONE from committing a felony.

It should be abolished.....

I have always had this opinion on the death penalty..

People ask about Saddam Hussein, Hitler and others..

they ask "what if it happened to your child ? A terrible crime" Wouldnt you want to see them get the death penalty?"

My reply is this...

A terrible crime DID happen to one of my daughters..She was raped when she was 10..

They put the man in prison . He got 24 years.
However this is where KARMA comes into play...

In those 24 years dont you think someone in the prison he now lives in is going to find out why he is in there? I do, they always do.. What do you think is going to happen to him then??

My answer... he will probably know the pain of a rape victim...and Im ok with that

Well one must wonder even though he wrote these books ect... where did all the money go did it go to funds in order to help those cleaning up their lives? Or did his family pocket off of what he did?

Regardless what he did in prison he was put there due to what he did before he got there. Yes he turned around and his books were enjoyed by many.

But should that be enough to forget the lives he affected before that?

I think not for you see that sends a message to others to try to turn their lives around before they have went the limit and end up in prison.