Court rules for news groups in execution case

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Court rules for news groups in execution case
JESSIE L. BONNER, Associated Press
Updated 09:31 p.m., Friday, June 8, 2012

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A federal appeals court sided with The Associated Press and 16 other news organizations Friday in ruling that witnesses should have full viewing access to Idaho's upcoming execution.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued the decision a day after hearing arguments in a lawsuit from the news groups seeking to change Idaho's protocol, saying it's unconstitutionally restrictive.

The case aims to strike down a portion of Idaho's regulations that prevent witnesses — including reporters acting as representatives of the public — from watching executions until after catheters have been inserted into the veins of death row inmates.

~snip~
"Nearly a decade ago, we held in the clearest possible terms that 'the public enjoys a First Amendment right to view executions from the moment the condemned is escorted into the execution chamber," the judges said in their ruling Friday. "The State of Idaho has had ample opportunity for the past decade to adopt an execution procedure that reflects this settled law."

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/article/Court-rules-for-news-groups-in-execution-case-3620786.php

[AhmsoRealwidit]

1. the public ENJOYS a First Amendment right to view executions

the public ENJOYS
So, exactly what does that say about a barbaric society. Turn the other cheek my ass. Let the blood run in the streets, or the coliseum. Geez???? So, if the public is as equally blood thirsty as the offender, he is just a subset of the bloodthirsty masses, right? May he who is without sin(ful thoughts) cast the first stone. Quite creepy.

[longship]

2. But if it is -- so-called painless -- why the fuck hide it?

We no longer fry criminals alive in electric chairs (a thing George W Bush did a lot as governor, until it was abolished). The gas chamber is gone. Many countries still hang people, although one of the strongest proponent, Britain, hasn't done so in decades.

There are horror stories about all these methods. But if you hide the process, you hide the horror. That has always been the rationale behind public witnesses to these judicial homicides, that they are, by some obtuse warped logic, somehow humane.

None are humane. Only witnesses can document that this is a fact. It's why there's no more electric chairs. It's why the death penalty is obsolete in this world.

Don't get me started about how the penalty is applied.

[awoke_in_2003]

4. As long as the horrors...

Of and execution and war are hidden, they will continue.

[24601]

5. Texas moved to lethal injection in 1982. Bush wasn't elected Governor until 1994.

He never was in office during Texas' use of the electric chair.

[boppers]

8. So, law classes were not your thing, I take it?

The word "enjoy" has specific legal meanings.

[Angry Dragon]

3. It should be required that the politicians watch the execution

as long as they think it is a good idea then they should be all for viewing it

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

6. In most "low volume" states executions are carried out by ghoulish volunteers

who lack the skill to competently wipe their own ass and have neither participated in a medical procedure, much less an execution before.

Since the purpose of lethal injection is to sanitize the procedure for those who lack the courage of their convictions but still want to be "tough" the preparations for the said execution probably aren't something the state wants to put on display.

[Nye Bevan]

7. I wish that Obama would reverse his pro-death penalty stance.

This would give a huge boost to the abolitionists, similar to what he did for the marriage equality campaign when he finally came on board.

[bobthedrummer]

9. kick. n/t