Arizona shootings: Should prosecutors seek the death penalty?
Federal lawyers must decide whether to seek capital punishment for alleged shooter Jared Lee Loughner if he's convicted
Last week, federal prosecutors formally filed charges against Jared Lee Loughner, the alleged gunman in Tucson's deadly Jan. 8 shooting rampage. So far, however, Loughner has only been charged with the attempted murders of the shooting's survivors, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Before lawyers can formally accuse Loughner of shooting the six victims who died, the United States Attorney's office in Tucson and the Justice Department in Washington must decide whether to ask jurors to impose the death penalty if Loughner is convicted. Is the ultimate penalty clearly warranted in this case, or should prosecutors seek a life sentence? (Watch a report about Loughner's fate)
The Tucson shooter deserves death: This massacre was a "monstrous act of evil," says Bryan Fischer at Rightly Concerned, and it cries out for biblical justice. The ancient civil code of Israel called for swift execution for murder. That's the only fitting punishment when so much "innocent blood" has been shed.
"Change of venue for Loughner: Perfectly terrible and unbiblical idea"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A life sentence is more likely: "If statistics are any indication, [Loughner] has a good chance of escaping execution," says Marisa Taylor at McClatchy Newspapers. Jurors "can be hesitant to mete out the ultimate punishment," even in the "most heinous" cases, especially when the defendant has a history of mental illness, as Loughner does. Otherwise, we wouldn't have so many "high-profile convicted killers" — including Unabomber Ted Kaczynski and Olympic Park bomber Eric Rudolph — serving life sentences.
"Arizona shooting suspect might escape death if convicted"
This case could quiet opposition to capital punishment: "The death penalty has rightfully come under attack," especially now that DNA evidence has shown that innocent people sometimes get convicted, says Dan Thomasson at Scripps Howard New Service. But the Tucson massacre was such "an enormous affront to civilized society" that it will test our collective impulse to show mercy. Scores of eyewitnesses say Loughner gunned down 19 people, including a 9-year-old girl, and the country is "so outraged" that "our demand for vengeance is almost irresistible."
"Tucson shootings may test beliefs about death penalty"
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Good riddance to the televised presidential debate'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Caitlin Clark the No. 1 pick in bullish WNBA Draft
Speed Read As expected, she went to the Indiana Fever
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 16, 2024
Cartoons Tuesday's cartoons - sleepyhead, little people, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published