It is now time for Colorado to eliminate the death penalty.

[El Supremo]

Not since Timothy McVeigh has Colorado been subjected to the attention of such a high profile death case.

So many people criticize Governor Hickenlooper for giving a reprieve to the Chuck E. Cheese murderer, but I criticize him for not going further and commuting the death sentence for all three on death row and pushing for the end of the death penalty in Colorado.

The death penalty serves no purpose except for revenge. And it produces many bad results not the least being the huge amount of money it costs us tax payers.

Because of this ridiculous trial I hope that Hickenlooper and the legislature will come to their senses and join the rest of the civilized world and eliminate the death penalty.

[fizzgig]

1. i agree 100%

[hlthe2b]

2. Yes. I agree...

I have been strongly opposed to the DP since a teen and never wavered.

With Holmes, there could be no "good solution" as I believe he is so mentally ill--even if he did not meet the standard for the purposes of the trial-- that little long term treatment options likely exist and I highly doubt he will survive long in prison. I think it repugnant to execute anyone, but a mentally ill person certainly. As more than one has pointed out, the "kindest" thing that could have happened to him, his family and for all the victims and their families, would have been if he had not survived the attack himself.

That said, I think it is time to commute the sentences of those currently on death row and end it as a practice in CO (and the US, for that matter). For those who are not mentally ill, life without parole in a supermax setting is certainly going to be a more long term punishment.

[milehighmilehigh]

3. I agree too... even...

though I knew the guy who managed Chuck E Cheese where Dunlop shot up the place (I met him after the fact, and he went back to school to study computer science).

He told me years ago that he wanted to see Dunlop die. I don't know about now.

[locks]

4. It's way past time

It would help if all those screaming right-to-lifers would push to end the death penalty.

[locks]

5. Welcome to DU and the Colorado group, Milehigh

[mountain grammy]

6. I agree.

My heart goes out to these jurors. I could never vote to put someone to death.

[No Vested Interest]

7. I could not vote for the death penalty either. Unfortunately that would

exclude you and me from most jury panels in states who still have the death penalty.

I find that completely unfair, since as a result the jury does not reflect the true opinion of the peers of the accused.

[world wide wally]

8. If you think about it long, hard, and seriously, death may be preferable to life in prison

Just sayin'

[Gumboot]

9. If 12 counts of murder do not merit a death sentence...

... then there's no reason for Colorado to retain it.

Holmes will never be released, locking him away forever will keep us all safe.