This issue really causes a lot of internal conflict with me.
I firmly believe in the right to a fair trial.
I believe everyone should be considered innocent until being found guilty by a jury of your peers in a court of law. (This includes fair and professional treatment of suspects by police and correctional officers)
I am firmly against the death penalty (mostly because we make mistakes and you can't take back dead.)
The right to reasonable bail until your guilt has been established
And in most cases I think sentencing should focus on changing behavior, or at least removing them from the opportunity to repeat the crime, and not just on punishing or getting even with an offender.
All that said. I also find myself profoundly relieved that this filth is dead.
In the case of sex offenders or people who prey on kids. I feel - no matter how much it goes against what I believe both spiritually (all can be forgiven) and my political views- that there are acts you can commit that cause you to forfeit your rights as a human. I don't see it as vengeance or even punishment. It’s like putting down a rabid dog, or killing a dangerous animal that has lost his fear of people.
In these cases, and with irrefutable evidence (as in this case where he was caught in the act, or in the Dodd case years ago where they found pictures and clothing from the murdered children in his apartment). I find myself not just in support of the death penalty but relieved by it. And the sooner the better. No technicalities no trial just a bullet. And hopefully the guy does something stupid during his arrest so the cop can shoot him with no remorse or second thought at all.
