Nov. 1
TEXAS:
Who's Rick Perry to judge?
Re: "The Willingham morass — There's wishful thinking on both sides of
the case, says Mark Davis," last Sunday Points.
Davis' defense of the execution of Cameron Todd Willingham is a sad lesson
in the use of words to inflame, rather than inform. Why does he label
opponents of this execution of being (in his words) a rabid, shouting,
presumptuous pack of Holy Grail-seeking, panting anticipatory petulant
narcissistic snarky fantasizers?
Is this the best way to establish a dialogue on whether an innocent man
was executed? In my America and the America of all decent people, and the
America whose justice system we uphold, a man is innocent until proved
guilty.
So, if legitimate questions were raised before the execution, why not
postpone this act of finality 30 days, as requested? Who is Gov. Rick
Perry to sit in judgment of a man's life simply because he was "bad"? The
time for lynchings is over.
Jerold Lancourt, Dallas
**
Who stands for the victim?
Re: "The Willingham morass — In this test of Perry's character, he's not
looking so good, says Rod Dreher," last Sunday Points.
According to Dreher, living in an imperfect world is a problem. I agree.
This not only leads to the possibility of executing an innocent man, it
also leads to killers who by the "thousands" murder, rape and torture
innocent people. Let's not forget that there are innocent people suffering
on both sides of the coin, and it is our responsibility to protect both.
Every time I hear of a convicted killer who is released, only to murder
another innocent victim, I wonder who will be the victim's voice, and who
will stand for them.
Bobbie Keith, Garland
**
I don't feel remorse
Re: "Dad's case has cracks — Executed man's innocence in girls' deaths
far from clear-cut, review of trial evidence finds," last Sunday news
story.
The article about the Cameron T. Willingham case was well-researched and
presented without political bias toward the death penalty.
I am sure there are rare cases of innocent people executed due to poor
legal counsel, tainted evidence or the science not being available at the
time of their trial. However, I also feel strongly that no good, honest
citizen has been executed.
In all reports I have read of these cases, the convicted person had a life
of crime, malfeasance and worthlessness.
I know our laws do not provide for the elimination of the multitude of
lowlifes in this world.
But I feel no remorse for those who were executed who could have been
saved absent a miscarriage of justice for the specific crime, but who were
never going to be model, productive citizens in our society.
James R. Wooten, Fort Worth
(source: Letters to the Editor, Dallas Morning News)