Test him - and then give him the needle
Posted by BrianLet me be up front: I am staunchly pro death penalty. It is a proven deterrent and quite honestly I don’t see the point of giving a murderer life without the possibility of parole. I don’t think that hanging, electrocution, or the needle constitute cruel and unusual punishment - especially in light of the crimes that were committed to earn such punishment. But such ultimate punishment should only be administered once there is absolutely no possibility whatsoever that the guilt of the accused is in question.
A DNA testing for death row inmates advocacy group blasted out emails and talking points to news outlets and bloggers in Alabama to support DNA testing for a convicted murderer named Tommy Arthur. Based on this article it seems that Arthur is a Grade A piece of crap and I have very little doubt of his guilt. Supposedly there is still evidence from the crime scene that can be tested, but the state has refused to perform DNA testing or even allow Arthur to conduct testing at his own expense.
I believe that it is possible to fairly try and convict a person without DNA evidence and I understand the legal implications of allowing the convicted to continually introduce new evidence after being convicted. But this is a man’s life we’re talking about. What does the state have to lose? Administer the DNA test. When the expected results come back then give him the needle with a clean conscience.
FWIW a web page has been set up to proclaim Arthur’s innocence.
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December 10th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
I know nothing about the case and only really got interested because of a one-two hit from the Innocence Project sending me an email and then immediately afterwards running across a news editorial on the subject.
I can’t say I’m for the death penalty, but it’s also not a big deal to me. Arthur’s probably guilty only because most people convicted by a jury of their peers are, but I’m with you. It’s a man’s life. If there’s some extra way we can be sure, then do it. Of course, Riley has never done that before.
December 11th, 2007 at 7:01 am
[...] Brian at Flashpoint (certainly not a liberal), thinks the test should be done. Posted Alabama Politics on Tuesday, [...]
December 11th, 2007 at 9:15 am
Thanks for posting. Please sign a petition to test Tommy at http://www.innocenceproject.org/testing-for-tommy
December 11th, 2007 at 9:20 am
I agree with your position, and said as much at least a couple of months ago.
May 5th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Just what would DNA testing do in this case? He shot Troy Wyker Jr. in the face when he was in bed.
I’m confused at what DNA was left behind by the killer. This from one of hte “Save Tommy” sites:
“DNA Evidence that includes blood, hair and semen was recovered and still exists,but it has never been tested!!!”
While the three exclamation points are impressive, I doubt that there was blood or semen left behind by the killer. Might have been a hair or two but Arthur was having an affair with the victim’s wife so I’d assume there were some hairs around.
To me, this sounds like simply a ploy to cost the taxpayers money and waste some time so he can keep breathing a little longer.
DNA is not the end all and be all.