http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm...0040309/ap_on_re_us/sniper_shootings_muhammad MANASSAS, Va. - John Allen Muhammad was sentenced to death Tuesday for his role in the sniper shootings that terrorized the Washington area. Circuit Judge LeRoy F. Millette Jr. turned aside a plea from Muhammad's lawyers to spare their client's life. He ordered Muhammad executed on Oct. 14, but that date likely will be postponed to allow appeals. Muhammad, 43, was convicted of capital murder on Nov. 17 and a jury recommended he be sentenced to death for the murder of Dean Harold Meyers at a gas station near Manassas. Muhammad denied any involvement in the killings Tuesday, telling the judge, "Don't make a fool of the Constitution of the United States of America." "Just like I said at the beginning, I had nothing to do with this, and I'll say again, I had nothing to do with this," Muhammad said. Defense lawyers had filed a motion Monday arguing that life in prison was the more appropriate sentence to eliminate the disparity between Muhammad's punishment and that of his 18-year-old partner in the killings, Lee Boyd Malvo. Malvo, who will be formally sentenced Wednesday in Chesapeake, was given life in prison by the jury in that case. Circuit Judge Jane Marum Roush has no leeway to alter that sentence. In Virginia, judges can accept a jury's sentence recommendation or reduce it, but cannot increase it.
Anyone see the history of punishment show on the History Channel sunday night? It changed my view on capital punishment.
i was absolutley captivated by that program. my roommate even got up and left when they got to te medival torture, but i couldn't stop watching. maybe i'm saddistic or something, but that stuff intrigues the hell outta me. sorry for the derailment.... send the b*stard to the rack!
Someone should ask John Allen Muhammad if any of the people put to death by either the state or federal government deterred him in any way.
When does it come on again? Did it change your view to: In favor of capital punishment or are you now against it?
After seeing the process from start to present, I think it's a pointless practice that started because it was good for public entertainment and intimidation purposes, but the fact that it's slowly moved into a private setting and it's slowly getting more and more "tame" proves that it's only a matter of time before the practice is abolished completely. I mean, it's not even a deterrent for future crime? But anyway, I'm positive this subjects been rehashed countless times. I'm now against it.
