Execution Date Set for the DC Sniper - John Allen Muhammad
Wednesday September 16, 2009
Do you remember the 2002 sniper attacks in the DC area? A Virginia judge has just set a date of Nov. 10, 2009 for the execution of John Allen Muhammad, the mastermind behind the sniper attacks that killed 10 people and terrorized the Washington DC area. I am not sure how I feel about the death penalty. I can see both sides of the issue. On the one hand, certain criminals commit terrible crimes and can not be rehabilitated. Our tax dollars pay to take care of these people in prison and its an incredible waste of resources. On the other hand, if we condemn someone for taking a life, why do we have the right to take their life? What do you think?
Photo: John Allen Muhammad
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Related: All About the Death Penalty Debate - By About.com's Guide to Civil Liberties
Comments
There is a huge difference between deaths caused by a serial killer and deaths mandated by a court as a result of major crimes involving complete indifference to human life. The first is horrific; the second is rational and right. In cases like this–multiple murders, with no redeeming factors and zero possibility of innocence–I’m 100% pro death penalty. Warehousing him in a prison not only costs taxpayers huge amounts of money but it’s really a miserable life. (Given the choice between life in prison and an early exit, frankly I’d take the early exit myself.) Perhaps John Muhammed would prefer to linger in prison, but when he chose to execute 10 people for potential financial gain, terrorizing an entire community, he lost the right to make his choice. Hopefully that will make the next prospective serial killer think twice, but even if it doesn’t, society is better off without someone who would coldly plot a series of murders in the hopes of a ransom.
I am not usually pro death penalty but this bastard was involved in the killing of my grandpa so I say that may God have mercy on your soul John Allen Muhamad.