Do You Want A Drunk Governor Killing People?

One thing I have learned from many years of involvement in Virginia politics is the politics surrounding the death penalty are some of the most complicated in the Commonwealth.  

There are strong supporters of the death penalty- who currently dominate the legislature and are from both parties- who want to see more crimes eligible for the death penalty, more prosecutors seeking the death penalty in cases where possible, and are uninterested in any appellate issues after conviction- these individuals want the executions done quickly, frequently and with as few hurdles as possible.

There are also a large number of complete opponents of the death penalty- who would like to see it abolished in all cases, no exceptions.  This group tends to be incredibly un-savvy when dealing with the media- defending the condemned with heartfelt words while rarely mentioning the victims- often causing a backlash amongst people tuning in that pushes them towards supporting the death penalty- not against it.

The largest block of Virginians are those who support the death penalty, but only in the most extreme cases and only when we are completely positive the accused is guilty.  These Virginians don't support executing the mentally retarded, children and generally don't support the death penalty for non "triggerman".  If you ask these people what types of crimes they do want to see the death penalty used for- you will generally hear "terrorism", or "murders committed during rapes" or "cop killers" or "multiple murders", etc.  Basically they only want a death penalty for the "worst of the worst" type of criminals.  This is basically the crowd I would have associated myself with- although statistics about disparities in how the death penalty is used have always troubled me.

Finally, the smallest block on this issue is a block of one- Former Governor Tim Kaine.   Kaine was an anti-death penalty activist who won the 2001 Democratic nomination for Lt. Governor by telling voters he opposed the death penalty.  This primary was held in the direct aftermath of the Illinois Governor making the death penalty a national issue in 2000 by calling a moratorium in his state on executions.  Once elected Lt. Governor, Kaine began shying away from this issue, refusing to publicly oppose any executions approved by Governor Mark Warner.  By his 2005 campaign for Governor, Kaine was publicly claiming that he was a death penalty opponent only morally- and that he would impose death sentences as Governor.  Once elected Governor that's exactly what he did- having transformed from a principled death penalty opponent to a death warrant signer all for his own political benefit.  This group of one, while the smallest, is also the most pathetic.

But enough about Kaine- I wanted to write this post about why Governor Bob McDonnell has managed to transform me from a limited death penalty supporter to a complete death penalty opponent. 

I will not be supporting another execution in Virginia under our current system.

When the death penalty was reinstated in Virginia the Governor was given extra responsibilities as the final word before any execution took place.  Up until the moment that an execution took place a Governor could step in to delay the execution for any period of time- or indefinitely if they chose to do so.  While the court system has specific rules for what evidence they can hear, what issues they can consider after trial and when that information must be submitted by- the Governor has no such restraints. 

In many ways the Governor in our death penalty system is the final judge.  He can consider any legal issue, any moral issue without prejudice.

Which is why I found Bob McDonnell's behavior last night so reprehensible.

This wasn't just "any" execution.  The Teresa Lewis case had sparked tens of thousands of news articles all over the world.  Her IQ test showed her as being mentally retarded when the 3.9 point IQ  test's margin of error is taken into account.  The actual shooters in this case received life in prison.  Executions of women are extremely rare in the United States.

Yet, despite all of these concerns the Governor rejected Teresa's application to have her sentence changed to life in prison on Friday (Virginia has no parole for crimes committed after 1994 so that is a real life sentence).  On the night of the execution he then proceeded to schedule himself at a "Cocktail Party" that was scheduled to begin 2 hours before the execution and continue until there was less than an hour until the execution.

Excuse me?  Was the Governor drinking at this "cocktail party"?  Is there any way to find out for sure (and I don't mean from his press flacks) whether he was inebriated during the execution when the prison was on the phone with his office waiting in case there was a final change of heart?

More importantly- why would the Governor even create such an appearance?

If the death penalty in Virginia has become so routine that the final, most important person in having an execution proceed thinks it is acceptable to go to a "Cocktail Party" immediately before a scheduled execution, then the system is completely and totally broken beyond repair.

It doesn't really matter if the Governor was drunk or not- because what we learned was he doesn't take his own actions around an execution seriously enough to assure the public that he is completely focused at the task at hand. 

That my friends, is reason enough to work to make Teresa Lewis go down in history as the last person executed by this Commonwealth. 

Comments

[Not Tim Kaine]

This is the dumbest post I've ever seen you write. He publicly stated nearly a week ago that he would not intervene. No reason to stand by the phone waiting to make a call you're never going to make. The justice system did it's part and sentenced her to the death penalty, and the Governor felt the need that the sentence should be carried out in accordance with Virginia law. Enough said. Get over it.

She hired two people to kill her husband, for god's sake. She deserved it.

Heck...who know's you weren't drunk when posting on this?

[Not Larry Sabato]

What if last minute information became available and the Governor wasn't able to review it because "he decided a week ago"?

[Not Not Tim Kaine]

Not Tim Kaine is as smart as Tim Kaine. 'Nuff said.

[Chrisi]

I'm intrigued by your change in stance, Ben. I hope you'll continue to post about this topic moving forward. And I'm more than a little surprised that with all that went down after Teresa Lewis was executed that you haven't been flooded with comments already.

Where is everyone?

[Not Larry Sabato]

Christi- I just posted this 15 minutes ago!

[Not Tim Kaine]

There would be no last minute information yet to be discovered in this case.

Court after court had upheld her sentence. The two men responsible for the actual killing both IDed her as their hirer, and were also found guilty. She was found NOT mentally retarded.

The Governor reviewed that made his decision.

To say that the Governor has a "legal" obligation until the moment she is executed is uneducated. He has to ability to intervene for any reason, legal or moral, up until the execution but no legal obligation.

In the word's of the great Ron White..."we have the death penalty...and we USE IT!"

[steve vaughan]

Ben, this is a stretch.
I had a problem with this execution because the triggermen weren't executed as well.
I know Bob McDonnell, I've had a beer with Bob McDonnell, he doesn't get "inebriated." I doubt any Va. governor, at least not any in the last 30 years since alcohol abuse became a major public concern, would get "inebriated" at a public function.

[Red Dem]

A cocktail party? A celebratory attitude because we are still allowed to legally kill retarded people? Disgusting.

[Not Tim Kaine]

Wasn't retarded. A court of law upheld that and so did numerous psychiatrists and expert professionals.

And an eye for an eye...the basic principle for justice since prehistory.

:)

[Spock]

Ben is correct.

McDonnell going to a party and having cocktails during his state's execution shows a heartless and soulless element to McDonnell's character.

If he really believed he was doing the right thing he should have had the guts to be there in person, or stayed home in reflection of the situation.

[Not Larry Sabato]

Steve- I really hate it when you are intentionally dense. I never said the Governor was drunk. I said:

It doesn't really matter if the Governor was drunk or not- because what we learned was he doesn't take his own actions around an execution seriously enough to assure the public that he is completely focused at the task at hand.

If you won't read my post, will you please at least read the bold print?

[yoyoyo]

What's your problem with Tim Kaine?

What's your deal?

Are you for real?

[Brian W. Schoeneman]

Ben, the Governor, like any other chief executive, is working 24 hours a day. It's not like at this cocktail party he was absolutely unreachable. Were there new evidence or some reason for him to commute the sentence, there were plenty of ways to get in touch with him if that was necessary.

There wasn't.

[Spock]

Brian- so you believe the proper action for a governor of a state having an execution is to go out and party?

Bri, come on, I know you are better than this, you know this is WRONG!!!

[Helen]

o/t

Tonight is movie night over at The T-Room – http://www.t-room.us, we are unveiling the award winning movie “The Secret of Oz”. Please accept this as an invitation to join us in watching this documentary about our history and her financial challenges and to identify solutions as to how to overcome them.

When you click on the link, simply scroll down to the Opinion Section and click on the full story. There you will be able to watch this recently released award winning documentary to learn more about our Founding Fathers and those who blazed the trail after them to keep the banking oligarch out of America.

This is a free documentary so, if you haven’t anything better to do tonight, roast some popcorn, pop a lid off of your favorite beverage and join us at The T-Room to watch this most powerful and telling history of America’s economic system.

Enjoy!
Helen

[Spock]

Really, "Helen", this is a thread about our governor having cocktails at a party while a woman is being murdered by the state, and all you can contribute is your moronic t-bagger spam?

Are all the morons on the extreme right sociopathic c*nts like you?

Oh yeah, there is Gov. Cocktails...

[Helen]

on topic - Ben, you're right. ignore the Alinskyites...these droids invade blogsites, such as yours, to divert your readers from truth. Keep up the great work.

Steve Vaughan, the sooner you take off those rose colored glasses you wear, the sooner you'll get what so many of us are trying to do to educate NOT propagandize world politic for what it is.

[Spock]

Shut up, Helen, you are living in a state that executes half wit retards like yourself.

Go run for cover or you might be next!

[martinlomasney]

"If capital punishment was good enough for Jesus, who is Teresa Lewis to complain?" Seems to sum up your views, NTK, Helen & Brian.

As a Catholic, McDonnell has committed a mortal sin so grievous only a Bishop has the faculty to forgive it. Where was the ND grad while committing this mortal sin? At a cocktail party? Yeah, he takes this matter seriously and was deeply troubled by the circumstances facing him.

To describe a person of her limited cognitive capacity as the "mastermind" of this tragic episode is an insult to our collective intelligence.

As the ultimate punishment, the death penalty, if used at all, should be reserved for only the worst of the worst whose crimes are existential threats to our society: Timothy McVeigh, Ramzi Yousef, UBL, KSB & John Allen Mohammed. No argument.

While the killing of these two men was tragic, Teresa's execution does nothing to assure the continued existence of our society.

Cases like Teresa Lewis' are more about a prosecutor putting notches on his belt to prove how tough he is and is a thorough perversion of the process.

[Your pal, Dr. Laura]

Bravo!

[Wolfwood]

So does this mean that Barack Obama was completely out of line by having his "Beer Summit" while we're still fighting two wars? Is it wrong for him to have anything to drink when Russia, China, Pakistan, and North Korea all have nukes? While Osama bin Laden is still alive?

WHAT IF HE HAD TO MAKE SOME DECISION?!? WHAT IF THE RUSSIANS HAD LAUNCHED THEIR NUKES?!? OH NOES!!!11!!one!

This isn't even bad optics. Life goes on for those of us who didn't hire contract killers to wipe out our family, and that includes Bob McDonnell.

[change]

The entire situation is unfortunate from every aspect.

[Spock]

Wolfwood-
Was McDonnell trying to improve a race based situation while he was cocktail partying?

I don't think Obama deserves to play golf or go on vaca while we are fighting two wars.

But, the beer summit was not the equivalent of a cocktail party.

[Brian W. Schoeneman]

Martin, come on. I've made my views clear and they have nothing to do with anyone's religious beliefs.

There's no need to relitigate whether she was mentally retarded or not, but it does not take a genius to recognize that when your husband is dying and your stepson is dead, you don't wait 45 minutes to call the paramedics. And you don't take the money out of your husband's wallet. You don't pimp out your daughter. Again, not something you need to be a genius to figure out. She knew right from wrong and she knew what she did was wrong.

The Governor hasn't committed any sins - he didn't push the plunger and he didn't sentence her to death.

The idea that the Governor killed this woman is so attenuated from reality that I don't get why anyone would say it seriously. You might as well say that every judge who had the ability to stop this is equally guilty. They aren't, and neither is he.

[Gretchen Laskas]

Change pretty much summed up how I feel about this whole experience.

Just because I don't think anyone is worth blaming, or I think anyone (other than the murderers) did anything wrong doesn't mean I think we (big we- society we) got this one right.

[YKW]

Ben's objection to the death penalty would be significantly reduced if it were Creigh Deeds who allowed that execution to take place. And speaking of people who drink -- isn't hanging out in bars late something for which Mark Warner is famous?

[LMAO]

This is the most idiotic blog entry I've ever read. You are a moron.

[C'mon Ben. . .]

I was opposed to this execution, but I think this post is a bit much.

How long did you want McD sitting at his desk, twiddling his thumbs, waiting for a last-minute petition that never came so he could again decline to intervene?

Should he have waited until Friday to announce the VDOT audit results? Should he have performed no other gubernatorial duties that day?

How about anyone else in his Administration? Should they have also waited solemnly all day and into the night, focused on nothing else except a condemned woman?

If he was there an hour-or-so before hand (sober, which I imagine he was. . .a drunk governor is a hard thing to hide), and if individuals in his staff were available, I think he did an adequate job (for a situation that, according to my personal beliefs, should have not gotten to this point).

[martinlomasney]

breitbart

A sin of omission is as morally reprehensible as an act of commission according to Cahtolic moral teaching. "FCPS fail" had the opportunity and the moral obligation to prevent the improper taking of a life. He failed to do it. There's the sin.

Teresa was very guilty of multiple crimes but not of an existential threat to the continuance of our society. Teresa Lewis was neither Al Capone nor USB, two generally accepted examples of a "mastermind." No one argues for her innocence or freedom. Rather that the penalty was totally disproportionate to the crime or the perpetrator. A distinction your too small mind apparently cannot encompass. (How the hell did you get into law school with that limited cognitive ability?)

Since you clearly know nothing about the moral teachings of the Catholic Church, you should really just stay silent and be thought a fool than write and remove all doubt.

[Why the hate?]

Ben,

Aside from the fact that this woman was not as intellectually disabled as you are pretending, your attitude is also profoundly dehumanizing toward the intellectually disabled. You are essentially asserting that because someone has a lower IQ, they therefore cannot distinguish between right and wrong.

Not only are those with many intellectual disabilities able to tell right from wrong, but it might surprise you to know that there are those with intellectual disabilities who are smart enough to be insulted by the dehumanizing view that they can't.

[Not Larry Sabato]

I'm dehumanizing the disabled by opposing their executions?!?

Wow.

[Miss Manners]

We are talking about social graces, taste, the ethics on a judgment call that just incites more emotions and wondering about the other judgment calls, too. No one disputes a job or a good job done by the authority of Governor, no one. When you have the whole world with an extraordinary amount to say on the execution just one would he should have some common sense about his actions personally that evening, let alone a Republican Party representation, or the representation of the people and not just executing an order like it is just another day at the office hitting the trash can with paper balls in the meantime, and then "what they hell, let's party, it is almost Friday." If you don't see the problem with this...well, I do. It reminds me of a movie with the corrupt sheriff that took over the town and drinking along the way. Everything is just "what the hell?". BUT, obviously, some people just do not get this. AND that is very sad and really discouraging about the future of things in Virginia.

[Gretchen Laskas]

I really don't think that anyone, including (especially?) Ben, has argued that the woman did not know right from wrong. And I don't know of anyone who has argued for anything less than life in prison.

But it is also almost certainly the case that the sentencing she received was based upon her being the "mastermind" of this heinous crime. It is worth asking whether or not that understanding was accurate or possible, given her innate abilities. There is nothing dehumanizing in asking that question, given that her very life was at stake depending on how we decided upon the answer.

[SouthsideCentral]

It's really hard to take you serious anymore with headlines like "Do You Want A Drunk Governor Killing People?"

[Not Larry Sabato]

Last comment deleted, we are not going to have outings on here.

[Brian W. Schoeneman]

You're no fun, Ben.

[Jack]

I think Ben and this woman were secret lovers -- that's why he's so upset.

[Ghost of RWR]

This is the most piteous post Ben may have every made. He is a very small-minded, morally deficient, political halfwit whose opinions, if not outright idiotic, are truly vacuous.

Most of what he has to say rises to the level of thumb-sucking.

[DeMmom]

Have you explored what every other Governor was doing in the hours leading up to every other execution in VA? I seriously doubt that they were all sitting at their desks reviewing evidence, with their hands poised over the phone in case they changed their minds.

[Not Dave Marsden]

Couple of thoughts on this post:

1. It really defies reason that there would be some "new evidence" that would exonerate Teresa Lewis. The facts in the case aren't in dispute - she hired two guys to kill her husband and step-son. She pled guilty and was sentenced to death. The "issues" associated with the case are well-established and weren't going to change and McDonnell already made up his mind on those.

2. Interesting observation in your post "executions of women are extremely rare.". What's the point? The reason executions of women are rare is that women rarely commit crimes that meet the statutory requirement for a capital offense. Seems a little sexist to use her gender as a reason not to execute her if she meets the legal threshold.

[LAS]

Thoughtful post, Ben. Do you think people are more outraged (those that are outraged) that the prisoner was a woman, had a very low IQ, or that she wasn't the actual triggerman?

Thinking about this the other day, I remembered the Maryland case several years ago, where a man hired someone to murder his severely disabled son and ex-wife; also killed was the son's nurse. If you remember, the hospital who had treated the boy were found negligent and the boy hadbeen awarded lots of money for his long-term care) So the father killed his own son, his son's mother and another woman for money.

The jury wanted to give the father the death penalty (as did the boy's sisters) but they were convinced by various psychologists that putting him to death would cause long-lasting and terrible damage to his daughters.

In any case, who was more guilty? The triggerman? Or the father who hired him and made this heinous crime possible?

There are similarities with the Lewis case, but some obvious differences, too--gender, mental capacity (although the Maryland father had a gambling addiction, I believe, so perhaps he would claim diminished capacity as well?) and, of course, the Maryland father had his own child murdered--the ultimate tabboo.

I'm not arguing for execution, and I'm certainly not a death-penalty advocate. Frankly, I'm squeamish about the whole thing. I just thought this was worthy of discussion.

[steve vaughan]

Ben: What does your headline say? I read your post. I just don't agree with it. Or it's misleading headline. It's the kind of off-the-wall rhetoric you'd be the first to criticize Republicans for. It's not any more attractive when you do it.

[Not Larry Sabato]

The headline lead to the actual point and question. I'm sorry if your attention span didn't last that long.

[Michael]

Ben, I thought that "the people of the commonwealth" administered the death penalty, not the governor specifically.

[LAS]

Jeez, nobody asked me to adminster any death penalty..I guess dad really does like you better!

[Ann Huon]

Hell, he is just following his last commander in chief. Bush executed mentally retarded people many times. If the IQ is below 60, this person is not responsible for there actions, they are legally mentally retarded. How about all the cop killers that get life, all the child molesters, get a few years and a slap then set free. America wake up, we are not dumb animals here, we should not ever put someone tat is mentally retarded to death, it is like killing a child in most cases.

[Ann]

To all who question the validity of being mentally retarded. Iq or intelligence quotient, below 65, (and I am giving here) is most definitely MENTALLY retarded and does not function like us educated folks. See even if she hired someone to kill, does she really know that this is wrong? Ok here is something to think about, take a child say 11 years old who has the same IQ, is this child responsible for his actions? Same as this lady, an IQ that low, these people do not know how to care for themselves, or how to read a paper, or understand the news. How in the world are they supposed to understand the repercussions of hiring someone to kill. They surely took advantage of this woman, who barely functions on the same level as an 8,9, 10 year old kid. Mentally retarded means not responsible for their actions. I had a mentally retarded student that went to the bathroom in his pants, (14) years old, he thought it was ok, and that he could go and just change his clothes, cause that what he did at home. Americans need to be educated about mental disabilities.

[keith]

One can only consider that people who support the death penalty are less than human. I have seen little to change this perspective on this blog.

[eyeFORanEYE]

"On the night of the execution he then proceeded to schedule himself at a "Cocktail Party" that was scheduled to begin 2 hours before the execution and continue until there was less than an hour until the execution". = 1 hour. You could have said he was at a cocktail hour for one hour. I don't care what your drinking inebriation won't happen with a couple of cocktails in on hour.

[eyeFORanEYE]

Ann, did you ever do anything to try to persuade the tard that pissed/crapped his pants not to do it?
Were you an enabler by suppling fresh underware?
Helping him change? Telling him it was ok everyone makes mistakes?
What the tard did was a mistake and a GOOD teacher would have showed him that and helped him overcome his ignorant behavior.

Maybe you Ann should have crapped your pants and made the student clean up after you.

No one could help Teresa Lewis. Her behavior didn't just soil the pants of a teenager but took the life of one and his father. Now she won't do it again!

[Lady T]

I have tried to look at this situation both ways, one through the eyes of the family members of the lives that were taken and how I would feel if it was my son or grand child that had been killed? How much sympathy would I have. Then there's the mental issues of the mastermind behind the hits that I must consider? As a mother and grandmother my first thought is to protect whats mine and to destroy anything I feel will cause them harm. But as a christian I'm taught to believe vengence is not mine it's the lords. Now do I think the Gov. no should have been out and about at that type of gathering no not at all even if he had no intentions of making the phone call for a pardon. There is such a thing as respect for human life and if you are trying to prove a point to this person by enforcing a sentence of death for her not having respect for human life then damn it you be an example and show the people that even you don't totally agree with this judgement/punishment you stand soberly by the decision of the people and out of respect for all parties involved pretend to give a damn.

[Natedogg]

I am pretty sure no one cares about this outside of Virginia. However, now that I know of this, I will have a drink tonight to celebrate one less cold blooded human on the earth.

[Ash Stone]

I haven't heard of this at all until now. That's saying that if you do the murdering it's not as bad as if you planned the murder? So the henchmen aren't as bad as the villian? is that what this is saying? I don't have a problem with the death penality in some situations but in this case that makes about as much since as drinking outdated milk.

[Mickey M]

Simple fact is, I'd rather not have the government spending money housing these offenders that could be better spent on education and giving retirement back to people who can't work any more.

[Kelly]

You are a moron and I'm embarrassed you're from Virginia.

[Gene]

I trust the legal system to determine a defendant's ability to stand trial, mental competence, etc. It undermines our system to second-guess the findings of the jury and trial court on this issue. A judge and/or jury of her peers convicted her, and that conviction survived appeal. It is not our place to second-guess this. At her trial, it is unlikely that the jury even knew what the sentences were for the triggermen in the crime; their sentences are therefore irrelevant.

Personally, I would have had a hard time with the death penalty on this case. But I'm not going to have the arrogance to substitute my judgment for those who had to make the tough decisions at trial.

[pilgram]

keep tabs on the Virginia Govenor,in do time the good Lord will set the record straight. just as he did with King David

[Mickey M]

And as for Ann Huon, that commented earlier, and anyone, for that matter, who believes that someone who is mentally retarded cannot truly commit an evil act. Just as there are geniuses, average joes, and idiots that can do either good or evil, there are the mentally retarded. There are many mentally retarded people out there that would never do anything to hurt anybody. Teresa was on the other end of the spectrum. Were she a retard or a genius, her moral alignment would have produced the same result. People like to argue that retards don't know right from wrong. Having known many, I can say that's not true. Sociopaths, on the other hand, truly do not know right from wrong, and fill roles all over the intelligence spectrum. You could blame the parents, society, whatever you like, but when it comes down to it, this person is a defective part of the whole, and must be scrapped.

[Natedogg]

Umm... Pilgram? I am not sure what you are talking about as David ruled for over 40 years and died. He wasn't murdered. Also, did the Governor kill anyone? Don't think so!

[Paradox]

What a pile of nonsense. She set the entire thing up for profit, supplied them the gun and waited 45 minutes to call for help, rifled thru her husbands pockets. She plead GUILTY, IIRC. There was no question about guilt or innocence. There would be nothing to new evidence to shopw up at the last minute. She was found to be competent.

The Governor decided she did not warrant clemency and made the decision a week in advance.

Remember, the President could have pardoned her, too. Where was he and what did he do with any clemency petition?

[Phil]

Murder is murder, even if the government wants it to happen.

[francis allen]

how do we know the govenor was drunk at the cocktail party?

[genius by default]

Being retarded doesn't excuse the governor. If he lost an election by three points do you think he'd ask for a recount?

[Ironlace]

Seems that you are using this woman to boost your sense of self righteousness. You knew the Governor was not going to step in and that was the real story you wanted to share. This woman's IQ is not relevant for innocence or guilt. 3.9points of error either way could change anyone's label. Why not just say what you mean, you don't like the Governor of Virginia and you think you are better than him, the court system and anyone who doesn't agree with you. :( Sad face for you.

[Helenft]

She had her day in court. A jury of her peers found her guilty, and that same jury recommended the death penalty. That is how our judicial system works. And it works a hell of a lot better than most other countries. And the fact that the governor attended a cocktail party the night of her execution is a moot point. This case was taken through all of the legal channels possible. Her mental status was thoroughly investigated by professionals and she was found to be not mentally incompetent.

The bottom line of this debate is not her mental capacity, nor is it what should the governor be doing during the hours before and after an execution. The bottom line is whether this country should abolish the death penalty.

Personally, I resent the headline of your blog - at best, it is sensationalism to get attention.

[J.R.]

Was this an African American woman?...what ever the case or circumstances are/were..being at a party of any kind in those last few hours ...I would consider a criminal act on behalf of this, self righteous biggot who calls himself a 'governor'..I say IMPEACH the clown!

[J.R.]

PS..I bet if this had been Lindsey Lohan or Angelina Joe lee ...that clown would have postponed the execution!

[J. Cipriani]

Could there even be a bigger troupe of clowns than those who have written above?

For ten years a long parade of mental health professional and courts have found this woman not retarded and fully cognizant of right and wrong.

The fact that she's a woman is irrelevant. Or is Equal Opportunity just a convenient buzzword used to cry foul when you can't otherwise have your own way?

The lady was obviously un-retarded enough to mastermind the murder-for-hire of two family members for an insurance payoff. She was smart enough to know that she could pay the triggermen a discount rate by also whoring out her 16-year-old daughter.

What pisses me off is that we wasted 9.5 years feeding and housing her. She should have been dead long, long ago.

And that the governor is supposed to stay glued to his desk although it was determined weeks ago that no intervention would be made IS retarded. His duty was to have her killed. He complied.

[I am not a proponent of the death penalty, but...]

...I don't think it matters that she was a woman. Women rarely commit capital crimes, so it follows that women are rarely executed for them.

[handout]

hi...
thank's for your posting
and happy to visit your blog...
please visit OUR PAGE ok!!
thank you...