Should Jodi Arias get the death penalty or life without parole?

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   RealityTalkposted 11 years ago

   Should Jodi Arias get the death penalty or life without parole?
   
   Jodi Arias has been found guilty of first degree murder and guilty of cruelty in the aggravation phase of her trial for the murder of her ex-boyfriend, Travis Alexander.  The jurors who found her guilty of the first two phases of the trial could not agree on the final phase, which resulted in a hung jury and a mistrial for the final phase of the trial.  Now the State & the victim's family have to decide whether to continue and impanel a new jury.  A new jury would decide whether Arias receives the death penalty or life with or without parole.  If they cannot decide, the death penalty is out.

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   Cantuhearmescreamposted 11 years ago

   Does the term 'cruel and unusual punishment' mean anything to you?
   I don't want to have darts thrown at me, so I'll stay away from that but this seems like a catch-22. The death penalty will mean Arias won't have to live with her actions or 'live' a life of punishment, the worst part for her will be in that awaiting the actual execution of the death penalty. Life in prison without the possibility of parole? Her smug attitude and arrogant demeanor would probably make 'life in prison' bearable for her. She strikes me as the type that can make herself home anywhere. She'd probably be 'one of the girls' and even have some admirers, between guards and inmates, just because of the way she is and she'd probably thrive on it. Honestly, I can't say that either option would bring much satisfaction.

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   Ghost32posted 11 years ago

   I can't imagine how that would be up to me to decide.  What another Soul "should" or "shouldn't" get as her "just desserts" in quite frankly none of my business.  If it were me she'd terminated, I might well have an opinion on the subject, but as it is, I've got enough going on without "joining the jury" in the Arias case.

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      RealityTalkposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I can appreciate your sentiment.  It is easier for us to say she should be sentenced to death, but to be a juror sentencing her to death or the actual person who gives her the lethal injection is something else.

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   JThomp42posted 11 years ago

   No death penalty. I say let her spend the rest of her life in prison suffering for what she has done. The death penalty would be the easy way out. For what she put that man through (basically torture) before she finally took his life is horrendous. Let her suffer everyday of her life in prison. She deserves nothing better.

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      RealityTalkposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I hate to admit it, but I agree she should suffer for what she did to Travis.  This woman thinks this whole thing is "The Jodi Show."  She has shown no remorse and she insults Travis' family by claiming herself a victim of abusive at Travis' hand.

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      JThomp42posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I totally agree.

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   dashingscorpioposted 11 years ago

   If we insist on having a death penalty then I can't imagine anyone who is more deserving of it. Had this been a man who was convicted of doing this to a woman there would not be much debate about it.
   There has always been a (gender) bias when it comes to punishment for the same types of crime in our justice system.

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      RealityTalkposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      see my Hub on "Why are men less victims than women."  We are in full agreement on the point you made.

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   CalebSparksposted 11 years ago

   If the United States would adopt a firm practice of executing convicted murderers, it would result in a reduced murder rate. If a person knew he would likely be executed for killing another, he would probably think harder on the matter.
   
   "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. (Ecclesiastes 8:11)
   
   The trouble is that convicted criminals many times are not given justice, and if they are, long periods of time often elapse.

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      RealityTalkposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      U.S. Supreme Justices questioned the effectiveness of the death penalty due to just what you said.  Appeal after appeal after appeal & they can survive on death row for a decade & some.

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   Borsiaposted 11 years ago

   If I were deciding she would get death and it would be carried out exactly 365 days after the sentencing.

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      CalebSparksposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Why exactly 365 days? Just curious...

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      dashingscorpioposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      In California there have been people such as "The Night Stalker" who have been on "death row" for over 20 years! Texas and Florida are probably the quickest states to follow through with executions and it still takes longer than a year.

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      Borsiaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      it is enough time to have a complete review of all evidence, including anything excluded under the rules of evidence, and 1 appeal. That is all I would grant anyone sentenced to death.

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   Abby Campbellposted 11 years ago

   I believe Jodi should get the death penalty. Life for life, especially for the one who committed such a cruel crime on another. Why should our tax dollars support such a person?

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      RealityTalkposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It is pretty sad that tax dollars of hard working Americans are paying for her defense & will pay for every appeal she makes hereafter.

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      Abby Campbellposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree, RealityTalk. Some may not believe in the death penalty, and that's fine. We all have our own beliefs. However, non-existence or hell would be my choice for her. We are punishing ourselves (taxes) with keeping her around.

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   fpherj48posted 11 years ago

   RT......Having followed this case, closely, from every angle and position, I actually have made a decision, in terms of your question.  The truth is, after becoming so fixated on this enigma, named Jodi Arias, I went into professional expert mode.....pulled out every text book, all reference material, clinical journal and BPD studies, I had at my disposal.
   Ms. Arias, although diagnosed with BPD, as well as a few additional PD's,that serve to exacerbate her core pervasive disorder, is FAR from being a victim of "classic" mental illness.  She is, in fact, in full control of her faculties, however emotionally immature, sexually deviant and void of common sense.
   Her public statement of preferring the Death Penalty as opposed to Life, w/o parole, was simply, yet another LIE, due to her uncontrolled pathology.
   In any event, DESPITE what her "choice," is.....(she, being UNAWARE no one CARES what her choice is).....Jodi adores herself much too intensely, to request the needle.   
   Personally, I do not believe in Capital Punishment.  IMO, it is NOT a punishment.  It is merely a permanent sleep.   This is not what should be done to Jodi Arias, to truly PAY for her unspeakable crime.... the egregious, pre-meditated, cruel slaughter of a human being.  Jodi has earned much worse than eternal sleep.
   Life w/o parole, considering the crime she has been declared guilty of......is an horrendous, long, lonely, painful existence.  She will be stripped of any and all comforts, pleasures, dignities, and interaction with others.  Her every move will be directed, supervised and demanded, 24/7.  Basically, think of a caged animal, with LESS than what is afforded an animal in a zoo.  Prison food, sounds, smells & degradation.....lack of sunlight, fresh air, physical activities.....one hour per day outside of her cage....only 3 showers per week.....day after day after day.....etc.....etc.....A life of HELL.
   THIS, is what Jodi deserves.  Nothing more....nothing less.

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      Cantuhearmescreamposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That's the answer... right there! How can you argue with that? Thank you; I couldn't agree more!

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      RealityTalkposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      fpherj48, Watching the trial as long and intensely as I did, I kept looking for something ... anything in Jodi Arias that resembled remorse ... instead, I saw a T-SHIRT and I heard lie after lie and heard Jodi, Jodi, Jodi.  She is infuriating.

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      fpherj48posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Ah, yes, "THE T-SHIRT." How DARE she? True Domestic abuse victims, are TRAPPED. They do NOT "stalk" their abuser, nor move themselves MILES, to live near them, or sneak into their abuser's home. They do NOT go to extremes to be NEAR abuse! HELLO Jodi

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    MPChrisposted 11 years ago

    I love Ghost's opinion on the matter. If no other external factors were apart of it, it really isn't for me to decide. Its between those involved (including now, the Jury).
    
    However, there is a major externality. There are numerous cases/instances where persons were released due to medical evidence before being executed, and at least once where a prisoner was executed after evidence had been discovered contrary.
    
    So long as we execute folks, we will execute some % which are innocent. To me there is no greater miscarriage of justice.

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       RealityTalkposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Good point.  Just today on TV there was a man on death row for 18 years who was exonerated by medical evidence.  Our forefathers believed it better 10 guilty go free than one innocent die.

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    bethperryposted 11 years ago

    Honestly, I don't know. What she did was utterly cruel and not only has she shown no remorse, she has tried to take advantage of her fame from media coverage. Worst, she did everything she could to defame her victim. I find this beyond cold and calculated. Despite this, I wasn't on the jury, nor made privy to every bit of testimony in the case, so with all respect to Travis Alexander's memory and his family, I would leave this decision for the jury that is due to be selected.
    
    However, if I happened to be in that state and chosen for that jury, and knew every facet of the case that convicted her, I can't see as I would let her age be a factor in determination. It would be my responsibility to look at the suffering of the victim and those he left behind, much more so than the potential rehabilitation of his killer.  She had her chance to live a good, fulfilled life; he was denied this.

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       RealityTalkposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I am curious.  If you were on the jury & you found as the jurors did for phase 1 & 2 of the trial.  Could you have sentenced a pretty young woman to death in phase 3? I think a woman could, but many men cannot not, because she is female &

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       bethperryposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Reality Talk, I can't speak for any man, but for me the matter of looks doesn't even enter the equation. Ted Bundy was an attractive man but that didn't count for squat and it should not count for squat.

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       Abby Campbellposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I agree, Beth! Many male serial killers have been good looking men. Not only Ted Bundy, but Jeffrey Dahmer and Gary Ridgway. Ridgway was even an NFL player. We must look at the crime, not the face.

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    RealityTalkposted 11 years ago

    If anyone is interested in my answer, here is my answer.  I have problems with killing anyone for any reason.  I am a pacifist by nature, but I am admittedly far from perfect.  I have no doubt that given the happening of certain events in my life - if they were to occur - I could find the desire and the will to kill.
    
    If my wife or children were raped or murdered by anyone, I believe I could kill the perpetrator out of hate, revenge and the desire to wipe their existence from the face of this Earth.  It would be especially difficult if I personally had to be the one carrying out the execution, but under these circumstances I would overcome my inclinations for mercy and my hatred of death and violence.
    
    I think what would bother me most about the perpetrator living out his/her life, even if in prison, would be the knowledge that (s)he could still think.  That she could still smile & have happy thoughts.  That (s)he could still think and love and be loved.  That (s)he could visit & interact with family & friends; even if only on a limited basis.  While all the while my wife or child lay buried in the ground; lost to me forever.
    
    These aforementioned thoughts are what come to mind when I think of Jodi Arias and what she has done to Travis Alexander's family.  As well as her lack of remorse.  As well as her cold & callous affront to Travis' family.  And finally, Jodi's using her dastardly deed as a stepping stone to personal fame, financial gain & infamy.  I believe she should get the death penalty for these reasons & more.  And if Travis Alexander was my spouse or child.  As much as I deplore killing.  I would want to be the one to perform the execution.

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       Abby Campbellposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks for sharing!  I'd have to agree wholeheartedly. I feel bad for Travis' family and friends. Jodi will get satisfaction as she has all along if she continues to live. She'll have it easy living for free (on our money), relations with guards, etc

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