Monday, October 29, 2007
Another Scheduled Execution - Another Internal Debate
A convicted murderer is about to be executed in Mississippi. Many, including myself are struggling with the issue of capital punishment. Even more so this time around because this case and several others pending are once again reigniting the debate about morality, ethics and purpose of this final act.
Earl Wesley Berry is scheduled to be executed for the beating death of Mary Bounds. Tuesday night, October 30th.
By all accounts, Bounds was a God-fearing woman who loved music and her family. On the way to choir practice she was kidnapped, emotionally tortured then beaten to death and left in a field. Crimes Berry was convicted of.
Today the U.S. Supreme Court denied one of two appeals filed by Berry who is not ready to die. He claims lethal injection is unconstitutional because the mixture of deadly chemicals will cause pain and therefore constitute cruel and unusual punishment.
Isn’t that the point? Isn’t capital punishment about getting the final say, the ultimate revenge? The electric chair…hanging from the gallows until your neck snaps…I can see that as cruel and unusual punishment, but slowly filling a cold blooded killer’s body with a permanent sleep agent? With the exception of the emotional suffering leading up to the execution, there is no pain. It’s almost too easy.
Having said that…I’m still torn. Mary Bound’s life is over, we can’t bring her back. Should Earl Berry pay with his life?
I wish I could take a definitive position on the subject. My faith only strengthens the divide I feel. I’ve struggled with it for years…but just can’t seem to pick a side. I continue to see both.
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