Inhumane or Justified?

Ronnie Lee Gardner, sentenced to death row in 1985 is just hours away from execution by way of a 5 man firing squad. Yes, you heard right, firing squad. The execution is scheduled for 2:00AM Friday if he does not win his stay of execution. He will be one of only 3 to die by firing squad, all in Utah.

Here's a little background on the case... As a child, Gardner was the victim of poverty, abuse and neglect. In 1984 he was convicted of killing Melvyn Otterstorm at a bar in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1985, while at a pretrial hearing in the murder of Otterstorm, he was slipped a gun and fatally shot attorney, Michael Burdell. In 1976, Utah restored the death penalty. In 2004, Utah changed their way of execution to lethal injection however, Gardner was one that was grandfathered in to die by firing squad.

So, what's your opinion? Is this way of execution inhumane or is it justified? Are you for or against capital punishment and if you're for it does it matter how you're put to death?

Part of Gardner's defense is that the jurors did not get to hear his recollections of his childhood and therefore they may have made a different decision. Should it matter what his childhood was? Isn't there a right and a wrong and shouldn't we as sane people know the difference?

How Could This Happen?

My thoughts and prayers go out to the father of Shaniya Davis, whose body was found yesterday near Sanford, NC. To this day, I can not understand how anyone can harm a child. If the allegations are true, that Shaniya's mom has any responsibility for her murder I hope they throw her under the jail! We're not supposed to harm our children!

Scott Peterson asking for donations?

Can you believe this douchebags family is asking for donations on his appeal in the murder conviction he received for killing his pregnant wife, Laci and unborn child, Connor? What scumbags!

Couple of 16 Children, Murdered

I am so saddened by the couple found shot to death in their Florida home this past weekend. It's absolutely awful for anyone to endure such a heinous crime, but it's even worse to know they were the parents of 16 children (12 of which were adopted children with special needs). It sounds like Byrd and Melanie Billings were upstanding citizens and some have even called Melanie "an Angel". It's very sad to think of these children without their parents, I just hope that someone will keep them all together. I have read where one of the oldest daughters is hoping to be able to keep their parents legacy alive by taking all of them in. I just pray that's the case.


Update - 7 individuals have been arrested this afternoon
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/07/14/florida.couple.slain/index.html#cnnSTCVideo
Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Jr., 35
Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Sr., 56
Wayne Thomas Coldiron, 41
Gary Lamont Sumner, 30
Fredrick Lee Thornton, 19
Donald Ray Stallworth, 28
An unidentified juvenile, 16

Steve McNair found dead

Unfortunately we're not going to remember Steve McNair as the happily married, charity organizing, father of four, NFL player... we're going to remember him as the murder victim found alongside his 20 year old mistress, also found dead. They are looking at it as a murder/suicide as McNair was found with multiple gunshot wounds to the head and chest and his mistress found with a single gunshot wound to the head.

How sad, his death, but also the fact that his character will forever be tainted with pure stupidity. When will men and women learn that nothing can be gained by having an affair?

Bernie Madoff Sentenced

Bernie Madoff has just been sentenced to 150 years in prison for his massive Ponzi scheme. He must serve 80% of the sentence and would not be eligible for parole until 2129, basically the rest of his life will be spent in prison.

Bailout Our Children!

We all remember the horrifying story of Adam Walsh, abducted in 1981, whose severed head was found 120 miles from his abduction. His body has never been found.

In 2006, Adam's Law was signed into act but in July of this year Adam's Law may be tossed out if they can not get funding. Thanks to Oprah, she's on a mission to get the necessary funding to keep the act in place. Please go to the following website, and help support our children by sending letters to your State Senators and Congressmen/Women. http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20090220-tows-adam-walsh-act/2 We're bailing out Wall Street, but what better investment in our countries future than bailing out our Children.

Stunned....

I'm stunned by so many things in the kidnapping and murder of Sandra Cantu, the little girl from Taylor, CA that went missing March 27, 2008.

First, I'm saddened that another little being has had their life cut short. It's senseless!

I'm stunned that a woman has been charged with Sandra's murder, Melissa Huckaby - 28, also of Taylor, CA. Melissa is a mother herself to a five year old little girl, who was friends with Sandra. Melissa is a Sunday School Teacher and her grandfather is the minister at the church she attends.

I've learned new details this afternoon in the case and I'm stunned that Melissa is also being charged with the rape of this little girl. It's very sad to learn that evidence has been obtained linking the rape/murder to a church.

None of this makes any sense to me. I don't know how to wrap my head around it all?

This is just so sad....

8 Year Old's confession to killing his own father.