Mont Vernon legislators: Home invasion murderers deserve death penalty

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Joel, Nashua,

I can understand what you're getting at regarding the death penalty. The deed has been done, and we have time to make a choice afterward. But as far as someone breaking into our homes or confronting us on the street and threatening to kill or maim or rape, well, I feel quite convicted in my heart that God has given us a green light to defend ourselves by any means necessary. And that is where I see a difference between "killing" and "murder". Heck, it says right in Psalms that there is "a time to kill".
- Tim K, Jaffrey

Cheryl:

Barbaric is being beaten in the head with an aluminum baseball bat, falling to the ground, then being kicked and stomped about the head, face, chest and back....while a group of over 30 watched.

I think any form of death penalty is less barbaric, don't you think?
- Donna Raymond, Largo, FL

To Tim K in Jaffrey...all your words are doing, in my opinion, is justifying mob justice.

We ARE better than that. That's WHY we were created in God's image. Horrible, unspeakable horrific things happen in this world. Sometimes for reason we can not fathom. That does not give us the right to sponsor murder. At any time.

We ARE better than that. Each of us. And we need to show that we do indeed walk with grace by realizing we are the better people and removing from our society those who so transgress the rules by which we all live.

Evil does not prevail then. Evil actually loses its power at that time. Evil DOES prevail when we walk with hate in our hearts and vengeance in our minds. It is a very simple concept but difficult to follow. But the good things in life are rarely easy...Grace is one of those.

Peace
- Joel, Nashua

The death penalty is murder, it's vengeance. We convict someone for taking a life and then punish them by taking a life...barbaric. Makes no sense at all.
- Cheryl, Derry

There are a lot of flaws in the justice system. Here's one in particular that bothers me.
Why are inmates entitled to anything, especially the more barbaric offenders? They are entitled to college education? Why? I had to work full-time while in college. Maybe I should have committed an armed robbery, gone to prison, got my degree and saved myself a lot of effort.
As far as the death penalty goes; maybe we don't need it. People are still be murdered everywhere. Here's a little truth; criminals don't care about the laws or punishments. That's why they're criminals. If someone really wants to commit a crime, no deterrent is enough to stop the offender.
As for the Mont Vernon four; when those fish get fed to the general population, we'll see how tough and hard-core they really are, won't we?
- j, manchester

This is nothing but political posturing and is nothing less that a total waste considering the real problems we are confronted. How about a law that can conceivably implemented and enforced. Idiot republicans. They want to get money from the state RNC with these silly IDIOTIC idea's. I would support it if it wasn't totally for emotional effect.
- Bob Newton, Freedom

http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/03/01/scotus.death.penalty/index.html

Pay attention guys, according to this, it is considered a violation of Roper v. Simmons

In this it is declared unconstitutional to execute anyone under 18. Use you head for something besides a hat rack.
- Sarah, Smyrna, Tennessee

I am torn on the death penalty. I am all for it but the lawyers and judges have hijacked the criminal justice system. New Hampshire is in the midst of tight budget times. These appeals after appeals run into the millions for the state to fight these appeals.

Then there's the long delay for justice. Here in Florida, they execute a half dozen or so a year for crimes they committed in the 80's. One guy has been sitting on death row for 28 years and now there's a new appeal because suddenly, the "new evidence" has been found. It's crazy!

And as far as home invasions being added, I see no mention of other crimes like those sexual offenders who kill kids, those who kill others during the commission of a robbery, arson etc.

It's sad that it always takes a tragedy to wake up the politicians as to how weak their laws are. It's my understanding that in N.H., your eligible for parole after 25 years? Here in Florida, a capitol crime charge, usually 1st and 2nd degree murder but also crimes like , exual assualt on a child, will get you a life sentence and life means life in this state. There's no 25 to life. It's life with no possibility of parole. And prior to trial, your held with no bond unlike many states where I see bond is set so if you have a wealthy family, you can post that bond and skip.
- Joe, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl

Dan from Auburn states "the death penalty is ineffective at preventing murder."

Dan, show me one murderer who was tried, convicted, and executed, that was able to murder again.
- Frank, Londonderry

Joel, what's the difference between killing a home intruder hell bent on killing you and raping your wife, and walking into work and shooting a co-worker you simply don't like?

That's the difference between murder and killing. You really think God wants us to just stand by and let evil prevail? God helps those who help themselves. And I'm pretty sure there is a difference between the definitions of "Killing" and "Murder" in the ancient tongues. Probably just a not-so-good translation from the Aramaic or something.
- Tim K, Jaffrey

To Todd in Merrimack...Whether the word is "murder" or "kill" there are still no exceptions or clauses to what is written in the Commandment. It doesn't state "Thou shalt not (kill or murder) except in cases of where mob justice has been deemed appropriate...it simply says Don't Do It. There's no wiggle room.

You can try to justify revenge murder by using other parts of the Bible all you like...but it still doesn't change the meaning of that very simple sentence. Don't Do It. Anything else is just justification for state sponsored murder and revenge. And that is not our place.
Peace
- Joel, Nashua

Why do we put a higher value on one life over another? Death penalty if you kill this person; life if you kill the other. Murder is murder, period. First degree murder should be punishable by the death penalty in all cases.
- Brian, Farmington

After having read a few comments regarding the above article I see a few mentioning "hard labor" while serving prison time...obviously none of you know the MANY rights inmates have while doing "their bid." They basically can refuse to do ANY type of labor if they so choose. These "people" have more rights in some areas than we law-abiding citizens..I mention the right to health care as an example. I have stated in a previous comment relative to this horrendous crime that taking away their "freedom" means little to these people (their value systems are waaaay toooo different from yours or mine)..believe me, I see it everyday because I work "inside the walls."
- Eric, Concord

Where does it end with knee jerk legislation? Every murder is atrocious. This would be a slap in the face to families of other victims, implying their loss was not as great.
- Cathleen, Center Barnstead

CATHLEEN....

Well said.

And as all surviving family members faces turn a deeper red with each slap, we prepare for expenses involving parole hearings and appeals, leaving us no chance to properly mourn our loss....
- Donna Raymond, Largo, FL

Joel of Nashua,

The correct translation on the commandment thou shall not kill is actually thou shall not murder. And as far as state condoned executions God gives Governments the decision to do so. Look at what Moses did. You need to study the Bible more before you quote you use it for a reference.
- Todd, Merrimack

Pody of Mont Vernon, you asked, "[h]ave either of these law makers [r]eally taken into account the feelings of the Cates family?"

The permission of Mr. Cates to name this bill after Mrs. Cates was obtained.
- William O'Brien, Mont Vernon

Revenge killing is not justice. It's just revenge. State sponsored murder is not a deterrent on crime. It never has been. What it does do is makes us little better than animals.

Killing anyone is wrong. It's rather a no-brainer. That is a moral imperative in our society. I am a Christian and, when one reviews the Ten Commandments, the one that states "Thou shalt not kill" doesn't come with any clauses or exceptions. It's very clear and quite simple. Don't. At all.
Peace
- Joel, Nashua

Rob, Claremont:

A person is only elligible for the death penalty if he/she kills a police officer who is acting in the line of duty or if it is done as a result of the victim being a police officer (i.e. the officer is murdered during a home invasion and was specifically targeted because of his position). If the police officer is randomly targeted and the murder has nothing to do with his/her position then it is not a death penalty case.
- Quinn, Bow

Longer terms and hard labor are ok, but I think we should also add some random executions. Every month, we select 2 lucky fellas from prison - regardless of which crime landed him there - and execute them. Perhaps the ones not executed can chip in and reimburse us for our house and car alarms that we need because of them. That'd make your little home invasions a bit more costly; and I'd get a free alarm: Everybody wins!
- Mike Duggins, Londonderry

It needs to be clarified.

A revised death penalty cannot be imposed agains the Mont Vernon slayers.

They cannot be tried under a law enacted after they committed the crime - that is called "ex post facto."

Look it up.

This proposed change can only be used in a future case. We can only hope it does not, because it was enacted and prevented one.
- RP, New Boston

The death penalty for sure. And open it to the public!
- Todd, Concord

Home invasions are way too common. The punishment for any home invasion should be a very long term. Preferably no parole and hard labor. The facts need to get out to the general population that we in NH will NOT tolerate this anymore. Make a public example of these punks.
- Paul, Milford

forced labor camps

not license plate making, ditch digging they can start widening rt93 with a shovel.
- Eticus, Rochester

With DNA evidence available for juries to consider the more likely the right person will be convicted. The last thing anyone wants is the wrong person convicted and sentenced to death. All that being considered we have to look at the threat to everyone's personal safety the Sentencing Modification Board and William Wrenn are to the citizens of this state. I can't think of a better time for an expanded death penalty. Dead people don't get paroled or furloughed.
- Chris, Merrimack

Let's solve three problems at once.

1. Additional troops needed in Afghanistan
2. Prison overcrowding
3. Death Sentence

Here's what we do. Once convicted, we give the perps a backpack with basic essentials (water and a compass, they can hunt their own food.), the weapon they used to commit their crime, and drop them in the middle of the Afghanistan/Pakistan deserts to do a little freedom fighting for us. No other training. Let's see how long they last with a baseball bat.

Problems solved.
- The Other Jake, Manchester

Remember the time when a man's or woman's home was considered their castle? Way back before then, if you stormed someone else's castle, death was the least of what you could expect.
I have also come to believe that child-killers, such as the putrid Chad Evans of Rochester, should be put to death. This is becoming atrociously common, especially in domestic situations.
- Chris, Manchester

It's one thing to debate the death penalty on any given day, but to do so in a knee-jerk reaction to a tragedy diminishes the value by reducing the debate and acting purely on emotion.
- R, Raymond

Roper v. Simmons, 543 US 551 (2005). The death penalty is unconstitutional for anyone under 18. As to that aspect of the proposed law, the legislators who have proposed it are setting the state up for thousands upon thousands of dollars in costs if the law is enacted and applied as written. You may not like it, but that's the law of the country you live in.
- Steve, Manchester

What about the fact that if this was a police officer's house that was invaded and they were killed. We'd be seeing the death penalty. Unbelievable, all murder should be death penalty.
- Rob, Claremont, NH

Jim of Manchester, preponderance of the evidence is a much lower standard of proof than beyond a reasonable doubt. Preponderance of the evidence essentially means that it appears as if you did something.
- Aaron, Manchester NH

The taking of a human life is UNACCEPTRABLE under any circumstances. It was wrong when the criminals did it and it is wrong for the state to do it.
- Greg Barrett, Manchester

Where does it end with knee jerk legislation? Every murder is atrocious. This would be a slap in the face to families of other victims, implying their loss was not as great.
- Cathleen, Center Barnstead

People have been murdering each other since the dawn of time; I don't expect that to change anytime soon. Certainly not as a result of any efforts of the legislature.

The sad fact is, that when you decide to kill another person, you are not logically considering the consequences or which statues will apply to you. The death penalty, life in prison, 20 years behind bars, it is not relevant at the time the crime is committed.

Punishments for these crimes are simply designed to remove the convicted from soceity, and to seek revenge.

I would not feel bad for a murder who is executed, but I also don't think it does anyone any good.

I say put them in prison doing hard labor for life, and find some way for them to have a positive impact on soceity. Work hard to do some good and make up for their horrific crime; A modest attempt for redemption during their time on earth.
- Chris, Keene

O'Brien and Mead are the Heckle and Jeckle of the NH legislature. Shame on them to use this tragedy to score political points. They know such a law has no chance of passage, they know that when the Republicans were in solid control a similar bill failed miserably. They lust after the guaranteed headlines and want to showboat this horrible incident.

O'Brien and Mead have no shame.
- Mike, Manchester

Tam in Swanzey, I'd like to reply to you - and please take it that I respect your view.

In theory, to be honest, I don't disagree.

However, I'd refer you to the US Supreme Court cases of the mid 1970s, which for a number of years suspended death penalty cases, nationally, on constitutional grounds and the states had to newly address statutes on capital punishment.

The states that did so, NH among them, had to reach a different criteria that allows the death penalty - in a nutshell the murder must have certain aggravating factors and the sentence of death be mandatory if these factors are met. Thus the present statutes.

Since then emergence of hate crimes has a defined thing has added an element to be considered.

But the invasion of a home - the most sacrosanct of places in our system and society wherein the government can't even go without meeting high standards of cause --- the invasion of a home is different. And let any argument there roll on.

The reality is that not all murder is or will be a capital crime, as the state of the law presently exists - and to change the present NH laws will have to be carefully considered.
- RP, New Boston

First degree Murder of anyone should be a 'Capital Crime'. Why is a murder of a judge or police officer more punishable than a murder of a NH citizen? This is biased and wrong. NH is turning into a liberal (crime friendly) place. I propose changing the law to include all people killed (First degree) to get 'Death' .
Statistics have shown that those put to death have never comitted another crime.
- Alex P, Concord, NH

Donna Raymond,
Thank you for your input on this matter. Steven deserved better than he got in this life. And his killers deserve worse than they got.
- Jim, Manchester

I believe the death penalty laws need to be constitutionally amended. As currently practiced death penalty sentences take too long to exhaust appeals, costs too much, are overturned too frequently, applied to innocents too often, and do not provide sufficient deterrent to potential criminals to duly protect the citizenry. For that matter we should bring back caning (like they have in Singapore) for misdemeanor offenses too – it’s cheap, effective, bloodless, no more in-humane than jail, and does not expose criminals to each others’ mis-guidance.

The standard of proof for the application of a death penalty (or other corporeal sentences) should be higher than the ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ standard used for returning convictions and applying sentences such as jail time and fines that can be overturned. A ‘preponderance of evidence’ should be required for death penalty cases.

Executions can be taped, along with portions of trials, crime scene evidence and victim’s family reactions. These documentaries should be rated X and played on loop to inmates at jails and prisons and to other select adult audiences to maximize deterrent value.
- Jim, Manchester

How refreshing to see a couple of Legislators with brains. Now if only the rest of them could learn something from this.
- Bill, Wolfeboro

How about we expand the death penalty to include ALL murders that can be proven beyond a shadow of doubt and execute them within a year of the crime. Need help to push the button, pull the switch, pull the trigger whatever, call me.
- Dave, Londonderry

A Death Penalty is useless unless you use it. And, as one brilliant person said, 100% of executed criminals do not commit additional crimes. These animals deserve to die.
- Rick, Windham

Improve the castle doctrine in this state and homeowners will take care of their own "death penalty" for home invaders.
- Jay, Manchester

Have either of these law makers Really taken into account the feelings of the Cates family? Would They want a bill about putting someone to death named after their mother, wife, sister, daughter?
would they want more publicity or to be connected with anything like vengence? Why not name it the Home Invasion Bill? Leave Kim in peace.
- Pody, Mont Vernon

A significant majority of US citizens favor the death penalty while our politicians continue to place barriers up in the implementation of the penalty. This is a perfect example of how politicians are doing what they want, not what the people want. I'm sure if any victim could have a voice, they would want the person(s) who killed, tortured, mutilated them to die. If we can't protect people from being victimized in the first place, then we certainly can see to it their killers won't kill again by taking their lives away.
- LynnG, Dover

I would be just as dead if I were killed by home invaders vs. if I were killed by a drive by shooter. My family would grieve just as much.


Why punish the home invaders more than the drive by shooters? Murder is Murder.
- Tam, Swanzey

Someone needs to explain why an ordinary citizen is less important than a judge or police officer. Taking a life is taking a life aren't we all important, clearly this law is biased. All murderers regardless of the life taken should be tried on equal grounds with equal penalty.
- John, Merrimack

You kill...you deserve to die...end of story.
- Bill, Manchester


JOHN AND BILL:

I agree.

Are all the other victims of murder less important?

Jumped in the street or in your home, all should have the same penalty.

For any who disagree: I am sure you will change your mind if, God forbid, you or your family member falls victim and the thugs get less time than someone else - for an equal crime: MURDER.

I miss you, Steve....
- Donna Raymond, Largo, FL

John the reasoning behind death penalty for a cop is simple, if the murderer kills a cop who is armed, is not going to think twice of killing someone unarmed. With judges, they are destroying the legal system, and also judges are usually protected by armed guards on the bench which goes back to the cop theory.
- Chris, Manchester

Thank you Rep. William O’Brien and Rep. Robert Mead. Thank you.



Yes, the death penalty will not bring back Kim or others who also lost their lives when a crime where committed, but no-one should be allowed to spend the rest of their lives behind bars watching TV, getting a college education and with the chance of getting out on parole for good behavior. Thanks to our liberal system. They need to be punished, just like O'Brien says:

“The message is this is one of the most horrible things you can do. If you engage in this, you will be subject to the harshest penalties we know of.”

How about sending some of these thugs overseas to serve our country against the fight of war? Or use them in test labs for vaccines and other illness treatments? 



The ones who commits such horrible crimes, once the line is crossed, looses his or hers rights, he or she loose their voice to be heard.

That being said, it has to be without the question of doubt that the person being charged with such a crime, is indeed the right person.
- Ann C, Mont Vernon, NH

This is why I think they should bring back hangings... a sturdy branch and a strong piece of rope cost next to nothing, why should these criminals who are sentenced to the death penality have anything but a horrible death? Perhaps this would help deter further violent crimes.
- Rose, Manchester

This legislation should also include the Castle Doctrine! It shouldn't be against the law to defend yourself in your OWN HOME!

Brian
- Brian, Exeter

The two forms of capital punishment in our fair state are death by injection, and public hanging. If we had just ONE public hanging to show the perpetrators of murder that we will not tolerate it here in NH, and you will be hung at high noon on a saturday afternoon (televised so the entire world can watch you defecate yourself while you are being strangled to death for murdering one of OUR people), Im guessing that this particular crime will be pretty much done away with. No more death row, no more free educations and the possibility of parole. You kill here in NH, you get killed. Period.
- T.S., Dover NH

Dan, you are wrong. The death penalty, when used, is 100% effective at preventing future murders.
- Sam, Portsmouth

Someone needs to explain why an ordinary citizen is less important than a judge or police officer. Taking a life is taking a life aren't we all important, clearly this law is biased. All murderers regardless of the life taken should be tried on equal grounds with equal penalty.
- John, Merrimack

Dan in Auburn, the death penalty is effective at preventing murders. It absolutely guarentees that the murderer put to death will never be able to do it again. Innocent people wrongly executed today ? Virtually impossible with technology and DNA testing etc. That old argument no longer applies. As for being more expensive to the tax payer, I for one will gladly pay the additional tax, as I would bet that most would and not complain, to ensure that murderer's get their just reward and we all are safer in our homes at night.
- David, Merrimack

The death penalty definately needs to be revised in our state of New Hampshire.

I propose that the death penalty be a maximum sentences for all instances where the use of deadly force against a perpetrator is authorized. Under the "castle doctrine" that includes home invasions. In covers all cases of murder, most rapes, and any assault with a deadly weapon. In all those cases, the age of the suspect is irrelevant; you are just as authorized to kill a 9 year old pointing a loaded shotgun at you as you are to kill a 55 year old serial killer with a knife to your wife's throat.

The only stipulation I would make is that the accused would only be authorized the death penalty when there was no question as to his or her identity and guilt. Which means that the death penalty would only be invoked in those cases where the killer, rapist, or assailant was caught bloody-handed in the act.

Since in the Cates murder case, there may be no way to know positively which person(s) actually committed the murder of Kimberly, or the assault on Miss Cates; none of the 4 young men may be eligible for the death penalty. Pray that Miss Cates had a chance to scratch one or two of her attackers and get a DNA sample - THAT would be acceptable proof.
- Michael D. Houst, Barrington, NH

"An eye for an eye will only end up making the whole world blind." –Ghandi
Unfortunately killing perpetuates more killing, no matter how justified.
Let me say that I believe these murders do deserve to die, however killing them will not stop some of our desensitized youth from continuing on this path of a cold-blooded detachment of human compassion. I have no doubt this was something to get “street cred” in attempt to look “cool” in whatever circle they find themselves. Something needs to be done about what is perceived as "cool" in our society. I only wish I had the answers. Idealizing "gangstas" has become so sensationalized and popular that the old American values are no longer pursued or even portrayed in the media. A sad perspective on what it means to be an American.

My thoughts go out to the father and my prayers will attempt to keep him strong for his daughter in this horrible tragedy.
- Tom, Manchester

It's not meant to "bring them back". It's supposed to serve as a deterrent. Why should they deserve cable tv and 3 squares a day? What mercy did they show Mrs. Cates or her family? Should we stay the execution of the DC Sniper too? He killed 10 people! What if it was your wife, husband or child? Eye for an eye, they deserve to die!
- Trevor, Hillsborough

There hasn't been an execution in over 50 years and there have certainly have been many cases that deserved it. Addidson certainly is one and the actual murderers in this case do as well. BUT, when it comes down to the final vote or the NH Supreme court rules on it, history has shown us that they ultimately back out of it.

Unfortunately that's what this state has been all about for many years.


In addition, Mass has had the same problem. The Curly murder (in Cambridge) several years ago was also quite horrific and prompted the Legislator to relook at the death penalty law. It was outvoted by one vote. That crime was just as horrific.

The thing that amazes me the most is the willingness of three teenagers to perform such an act at random. As I remember reading, some of them had no record at all or only minor offenses. As the story said, they just chose this house at random and made the unanimous decision to kill everyone inside. Just teenagers!

We may be able to comprehend it if they were career criminals but they are only kids.

In my own situation we keep all doors and windows locked, have an outdoor (and indoor) surveillance system to detect people approaching the home and we have almost instant access to our legal firearms at all times.

That’s what this state and this country have come to. Can anyone deny that?

We cannot depend on the Police, as well as they do their job, to know or prevent such a tragic incident.


Unfortunately, as time passes the emotions will subside and I simply don't think that the NH Legislator’s have the guts to respond as they should to such a terrible act of planned violence.


If it fails we need to remember who voted against it and vote them OUT of office the next time around!
- BA, Derry

Seems to me that it costs just as much to execute somebody as it does to feed them for years and give them a college degree. I think it only makes sense to just put them out of their misery, although, I do like the "use them as a lab rat" idea. Give them a horrible disease and let them rot in a cage like they deserve. Murders don’t deserve to be forgiven unless they murdered for a good reason. Those citizens that are civil can be civilized, and those citizens that are not civil should be put to death. How can we consider ourselves a civilization if we don’t even protect ourselves from those who would harm us?
- KRP, Lowell, MA

What happened to lawmakers! Murder is Murder.When the Victims meet them at the prison gate the can Apologies for their actions and then they can leave.
- George Petrie, Center Barnstead,nNH

The death penalty is supposed to send a clear message to people. If you kill someone you will be killed. It has nothing to do with "bringing someone back". I don't care if it deters someone or not. Eye for an eye. This lets make your argument less important if we bring up against something impossible is a liberal bend that does not stop me from wanting justice.
- Richard, Bedford

RP (New Boston),

"the con rooted in tne illusion that every murderer is a good person who went wrong...."

Actually, RP, the well-reasoned opponent to the death penalty will cite data that shows the death penalty is ineffective at preventing murder, that many innocent people have been wrongly executed and that it is often more expensive to execute rather than incarcerate.

The death penalty is an act of vengeance, and that's about it.
- Dan, Auburn

The main problem with the death penalty isn't that it doesn't bring the victim back or that the cost is more than what life in prison does. The problem is making sure you are actually executing the guilty party. For every 7 who are executed, 1 is released due to new evidence such as DNA testing which has proven their innocence. How many of those other 7 were innocent as well. With life imprisonment, an innocent person at least has a chance to get back to a normal life, you don't get that second chance if you've executed him. Are any of you willing to pull the switch on an innocent person simply so you can watch these four die? Are you willing to go to a wife and child and tell them that their husband/father was innocent, but we killed him anyways, but that's okay because the four Mt. Vernon killers got the needle as well?
- Bill, New Boston

Joel,

Where does the proposed legislation say it will bring Kimberly Cates back?

It doesn't.

Killers should be killed.
- Robert, Amherst Nh

Sure they deserve to die. They are worthless scum.

But, the Bible tells us "Thou shalt not kill" and "Vengeance is mine sayet the lord". There is no moral justification in state sponsored Murder.

I hope the death penalty is payed buy supporters of the death penalty, 20+ Million dollars per person. I don't want to pay extra taxes to murder people.

Oh, and innocent (as in white middle class parents) people HAVE been put to death. Just search for "Todd Willingham" It could happen to you.
- Larry, Derry, NH

The argument - if you want to call it that - about whether or not the death penalty will bring someone back is completely irrelevent.

The arguement is about whether this crime deserves the death penalty and would it have a sentinal effect on other would-be home invading killers.

Frankly - I'd like to see 'mob rule' prevail here and have them executed...but law is law. We are trying to maintain a civilization here, after all.
- RJ, Merrimack

Typical politicians closing the barn door after the horse is gone. This is how all those "blue laws"are on the books. Why not include murders during Halloween parties? Make the death penalty for any murder.
- Bob, Derry

No, executing murderers do not bring their victims back, but it can bring relief to the victims' families and the rest of society who can count on at least those monsters will have no chance of repeating their senseless acts of violence. Prisoners do escape, and a life without parole sentence is not always absolute. It's clear these young men are seriously troubled and are likely unrehabitable. I am waiting to hear what went on with them and more about why they did it - this is the most troubling - that there are people out there who are capable of commiting such a monstrous act with such random impunity. They deserve no mercy. Let God deal with them.
- Pam, Barrington

How about just having the death penalty for murder . . .
- Steve, Dublin, NH

The death penalty debate will all come back around, again.

Maybe it should. There will be all the argument, pro and con - the con rooted in the illusion that every murderer is a good person who went wrong, etc.; failing to comprehend there has been an explosion in population and with that an explosion in those who are defective to the point they cannot live among humanity without becoming what they do - kill other humans.

Capital punishment option for those who kill in the course of home invasions and hate crimes - I concur. Life without parole option for those who injure in the course of...

Complex, complicated - but there is a plague going on as New Hampshire is infested with the ills other places have seen for a long time and until recently this quiet rural state has been spared.

And being nice isn't the answer.
- RP, New Boston

And if well legally murder cold blooded killers, that brings back Kimberly Cates how?

It doesn't.
- Joel, Nashua

Great... We can now get to pay 20 million + per person to kill them. What is is about "Thou shalt not kill" and Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord" that people don't get? It IS cheaper to keep them alive and suffering.

The Death penalty is state sponsored Murder.
It does not deter crime. Criminals don't think they will get caught.

And innocent people HAVE been put to death. Just search for Todd Willingham .
- Larry, Derry, NH

In 10 years these kids will get a good education , learn a skill and become model 'inmates" looking for early release . Sad thing , they will probably get it .
- meshu, claremont

You kill...you deserve to die...end of story.
- Bill, Manchester