Would you vote to execute Dylan Roof?

[SleeplessinSoCal]

I oppose the death penalty. But my emotions cry out to not spare the life of a killer who feels justified and lacks remorse. I wondered if others felt the same.

87 votes, 1 pass | Time left: Unlimited
	yes
	31 (36%)
	no
	56 (64%)
	1 DU member did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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[spin]

1. Like you I oppose the death penalty. ...

Mistakes can be and have been made leading to the execution of innocent people. Death penalty cases are also extremely expensive and housing a convict awaiting the death penalty is also quite expensive. I also seriously doubt that the death penalty acts as a deterrent to other murderers

However if ever an individual deserved the death penalty it's Dylan Roof. He's unremorseful and obviously guilty. Of course that may be caused by the fact that he might be totally insane. Should we execute those who suffer from severe mental illness? Another question I find difficult to answer.

[Raine]

2. In principle I'm opposed but if this guy was to be executed I

wouldn't light a candle for him or shed a tear. I would be relieved that he was no longer breathing on this earth.

[cwydro]

3. The survivors and the family members of the victims all say NO.

So I stand with them.

Personally, I could hit him with a cinder block without a care.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

45. that is a valid point.

Maybe he would be allowed only to receive communication with them and not KKK supporters.

[LovingA2andMI]

4. Yes....

Period. And quickly.

[Lunabell]

5. I have a conservative side when it comes to brutal crimes.

Crimes against humanity and against children.

[USALiberal]

87. DP gains nothing. Costs more and no other civilized countries have it.

[JustAnotherGen]

6. No

I want his ass to sit in jail for the rest of his miserable life.

[cwydro]

8. Yes. What you said.

The survivors and family members do NOT want the death sentence.

I hope he grows old and dies in prison.

More likely however, is that he will end up like Dahmer or Geoghan.

And sadly, I won't care.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

46. he could be pardoned as well depending on who gets the votes.

We are back in the KKK era.

[cwydro]

67. I very much doubt that.

No one will pardon him.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

75. and Trump will never be elected president.

Racist America.

[cwydro]

76. He won't be pardoned.

Believe what you want.

[2naSalit]

60. Ditto.

I would rather he spend a long time in hell on earth before he goes... a more fitting punishment. A death sentence is a horrible can of worms that gives him many years of taxpayer funded appeals etc., with a life w/o parole means he lives out his life behind bars. And he may well end up like those others, the African-American population in prison is the dominant group thanks to people like him so...

[stonecutter357]

27. +1000

[Miles Archer]

29. Ditto

He's young. A life sentence without parole would be just desserts.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

68. No, because of the precedent.

I believe that there are probably some people it would be morally justifiable to kill.

I think that Dylan Roof is probably one of those people.

I do not trust the state to identify those people flawlessly, and hence I oppose killing even people I think it might be reasonable to.

The only way not to occasionally execute innocent people is not to execute anyone.

[femmedem]

7. No. I oppose the death penalty. I don't want the State to turn people into executioners.

I also believe that life in prison without the possibility of parole brings quicker closure for survivors than does the long wait for execution.

I am a survivor of violent crime. People I knew offered to break the legs of the person who assaulted me and I begged them not to.

I do not believe we should normalize or sanction murder (execution) or stoke people's basest desires for vengeance.

[raccoon]

9. I wonder if he's trying for suicide by state execution, from the way he talks.

In which case, I'd rather he had a long life behind bars.

[Behind the Aegis]

10. No.

Like you, I find myself torn because it seems to be pointless to keep someone in jail who is like him. However, I also struggle with the decision overall because I wonder if I am being a huge dick and want him to spend his life in prison as punishment. Our justice system is so fucked up, it is difficult to make rational, emotionless decisions.

I have no sympathy for him. None. I can't even bring myself to find a smidge of sympathy for him as a fellow human. My hope is he learns diversity and appreciation for others, but I don't see it happening. That said, I can't say I will be traumatized if he is put to death.

[malaise]

11. No

You either oppose it or you don't - it is not conditional

[DLevine]

12. No. I am against the death penalty. nt

[Raster]

13. No. Government should NOT be in the execution business...

...that said, LOCK HIM UP, and throw away the key. Don't kill him. That will just bring out the martyr contingent.

[democrank]

14. I oppose the death penalty

[bowens43]

15. the state has no right to execute anyone.

I oppose the death penalty in any and all cases

[Amishman]

35. This

I don't want the state being comfortable executing people. You never know how that power could be perverted in the future.

Yes, they have that power today, I wish they didn't

[democratisphere]

16. The State should never execute its citizens; to do so

is equally barbaric to the crime(s) committed.

[Starry Messenger]

17. No.

I personally think he's a waste of carbon, but sitting and rotting in jail instead of being a martyr to white supremacists like McVeigh seems more fitting.

[tblue37]

74. THIS. +1. nt

[Tommy_Carcetti]

18. No.

He's probably got 50-60 years of his life yet. Let him spend every single one of those days locked up and removed from what could have been a productive life. That's a literal hell of a punishment if you ask me.

Best case he'll come to terms with what he did and understand and accept the consequences. Worst case he rots away, forgotten.

Executing him would only draw further attention to him, it won't bring anyone back, and most importantly it just shouldn't be the state's job.

Let him rot.

[VOX]

19. As much as I'd like to see this guy "tucked in" with a shovel...

State-sanctioned murder is about as "big government" as it gets (along with butting into women's health issues).

It's past time for Americans to give up death as a punishment. It's a critical piece of the self-perpetuating cycle of violence, and it's one that most people, if they could ever observe the issue objectively, would understand that they could actually remove. One can hope...

[rug]

20. No.

And it doesn't accomplish one damned thing.

[ehrnst]

21. We can't make him a martyr. That's what he wants, same as any radicalized religious extremist.

If he fades away into obscurity in prison, that takes away a major goal of his.

[demmiblue]

22. No.

[appleannie1943]

23. Death would be too easy. A long miserable life would be better.

[annabanana]

26. agreed

And if it isn't "miserable".. then, best case scenario.. He learns the pain of regret.

(Welcome to DU)

[mercuryblues]

24. I'm not sure

On one hand, he is desperately trying to be a martyr for "the cause" I really think he believes if he is executed the white supremacists will worship him. They probably will.

On the other, life in prison will end his time in front of a camera. No appeals, no more court dates, he will rot behind bars and join a neo Nazi group for protection.

I don't believe for one second he is mentally incompetent. He is highly manipulative and a liar. For him this trial is all a show a way for him to revel in his crime.

[hlthe2b]

25. I've opposed the DP consistently since I was a teenager...

Time (and the number of post-DP exonerations) has only hardened my opinion. Despite guilt not being at issue and the extreme example of Roof as one who truly DESERVES the DP, if anyone does, I still would not be able to vote for it. Life without parole in a SuperMax facility with little (or very selective) interaction with other inmates, would be my thought for a very deserved penalty.

[RobinA]

28. No

I am against the death penalty, period.

[Vinca]

30. I can't decide. I'm generally opposed to the death penalty, but every so often someone

comes along who I feel I could personally execute. This character is one of them.

[USALiberal]

85. Nope!

[Iggo]

31. Nope. No buts. (n/t)

[sarah FAILIN]

33. No, because death is what he wants

Like a martyr. Let him rot in jail

[Greybnk48]

34. NOPE! Years of prison for that snake.

Death for him would be merciful, something he does not deserve.

[MineralMan]

36. I oppose capital punishment. Period.

I make no exceptions. The state should not execute anyone. Period. If there is any chance of getting it wrong, and there is, it's unconscionable.

[JCMach1]

37. If death penalty is legal and I'm on that jury...

Yes

[lapislzi]

38. I think the better question is, "could you apply the law in this case?"

If you are on that jury, you know the law. It's your civic duty to determine whether it applies in this case.

As an opponent of the death penalty, I wouldn't be sitting on that jury. I would have been dismissed months ago. However, were I a supporter of the law as it stands, I think I could apply it here. And I think the law's clear on that.

Not to put words in the OP's mouth, but this shouldn't be a thread about the DP, but whether this defendant (I won't use his name) should receive a death sentence based on the evidence and other aggravating factors. I would call that a yes.

[Glitterati]

39. Locking him in a cage for the rest of his natural life is far more punishment

than the death penalty.

Life. No possibility of parole.

Caged forever.

[uppityperson]

40. I oppose the death penalty. I also oppose long term torture of the penal system

[Calculating]

41. Yes

And I'll shamelessly defend my vote. My main opposition to the DP is how innocent people might get executed, and there are no do-overs. With Dylan Shithead, there is no doubt at all that he committed the crime.

[USALiberal]

86. Not that old silly logic again....

So if the jury is super duper sure we execute but if just a little sure we don't? Who decides? Either you are for it or against it.

[GoCubsGo]

42. No. He wants to be a martyr.

Being executed will make him one. I hope my state does not give him what he wants. The families of the victims do not want it, either.

[Throd 2.0]

43. Yes I would.

[Bettie]

44. I oppose the death penalty

if killing him would bring one of those people back, I'd say yes, but it only compounds the misery.

Emotionally, yeah, kill him, but that would be vengeance not justice.

However, he should never, ever be released.

[Ace Rothstein]

47. He deserves to be executed.

But I wouldn't be able to vote to have another human being executed.

[hunter]

48. The death penalty is barbaric. Fuck that.

Furthermore, prisons shouldn't be inhumane.

Lock him up for the rest of his natural days. He's proved his danger to society.

Leave him to suffer the hell that exists between his ears and behind his eyeballs.

[Amaril]

49. No. Against the death penalty, period. (n/t)

[Quackers]

50. Yes, I would. nt

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

51. No. I oppose the death penalty in all cases.

[struggle4progress]

52. N. He may not be legally insane but he's not all there

And no good would come of making him a martyr for the hate-crazed crowd

[Atman]

53. I wouldn't vote to execute anyone.

This isn't American Idol. It's not my choice to pick and choose who lives or dies.

[MosheFeingold]

54. I would not

I do not believe we should kill if we can avoid it.

The are obvious exceptions: war, self-defense, defense of others, etc.

And I could be persuaded to think otherwise for rapists of children.

Or if the person was so violent he could not be safely imprisoned (the rare, real, Hannibal Lector type, which do exist, generally being Aryan Nation or other gang members that continue in violent crime unfazed by imprisonment), although super-max style prisons seemed to have resolved this, albeit at great expense.

So, no. I do see the argument in favor of the death penalty here, and can't disagree with people who want to execute him. But I would not.

[nycbos]

55. I am against the death penalty...

... so I would "vote" to execute him. But if does end up being executed I won't lose any sleep over it.

[etherealtruth]

56. I voted no ... NOT because Roof deserves better ....

...but because we as a society deserve better ... better than engaging in the act of sanctioned murder regardless of how degenerate or reprehensible Roof is (he is degenerate, reprehensible, and indefensible)

[coco22]

57. I want him to live and catch hell everyday in jail..

I want his roomates to be people of color who hate his guts.

[HAB911]

58. He needs to spend every waking hour looking over his shoulder

for black gang members for the rest of his miserable life

[herding cats]

59. No, but I wouldn't even be on the jury since you have to be able to consider it to qualify.

I read it was one of the questions put forth during juror selections in DP cases there.

Taking that into consideration along with these guidelines:

To impose a death sentence, jurors must unanimously find that aggravating factors like premeditation and the number and vulnerability of the victims outweigh any mitigating factors, like the absence of prior violent behavior and demonstrations of redemption and remorse.

It would appear he has little chance of avoiding it, which is what he wants. He wants the glory of martyrdom, and not to spend the next 50-60 years in maximum security prison.

I won't shed a tear if/when he's executed, which make me feel a bit hypocritical, but I couldn't vote to execute anyone.

[MindPilot]

61. Nope. I oppose the death penalty. n/t

[Ron Obvious]

62. I'm against the death penalty in ALL cases. n/t

[hrmjustin]

63. I am against the death penalty but I won't shed a tear for him.

[Mike Nelson]

64. For this poll...

...I lean toward no. Generally, I'm opposed to the death penalty and there would be no exception for him. However, if we did not have a facility, I believe he is a threat to society and would prefer he be killed rather than kill again. Also, if I were a police officer arriving at the incident, I would lean toward executing him on the spot - to save lives.

[Fichefinder]

65. No

If it was wrong for him to kill, how is it right for us to kill?

[MadamPresident]

66. Of course.

This crime meets my execution standard. Multiple premeditated homocides, absolutely 100% guilty, no chance of it being the wrong guy.

He should be hanged right after the trial finishes. No appeals necessary.

[Ilsa]

69. I'm saying No. He's too young to even consider it.

If he had committed the murders when he was older, I would probably still say No, but I'm not certain.

[KamaAina]

70. Nope.

I'd make sure he had a roof over his head 😀 surrounded by iron bars for the rest of his born days.

[easttexaslefty]

71. I oppose the death penalty. N/T

[romanic]

72. Yes.

Executed with no appeals.

[USALiberal]

88. Wow, scary.

[LeftInTX]

73. I hate the fact that those opposed to the DP

Would not be selected to be on this case. Because of the way our system is set up, anti-death penalty jurors are eliminated from DP cases.

[Motley13]

77. Lock him up with a big mean black guy

[dembotoz]

78. i would like to put him in a cage like at the zoo and let folks be reminded what a fool he is

don't think in these short attention span days death penalty has any lasting impact

but a public reminder....see this is what happens if the catch ya

look how tiny that cell is....he can not even leave the room to pee....


i am sure that is cruel an unusual too....

[MicaelS]

79. Absolutely

Some crimes are so heinous that the only proper punishment is death. Some people are beyond rehabilitation.

[USALiberal]

84. Civilized countries do not execute people.

[BlueMTexpat]

80. I oppose the death penalty.

Put this jerk in prison forever and remember him only in infamy.

May he receive the full force of "prison justice" and, if there is an afterlife, may he receive the karma he so fully deserves.

[Bill Carrington]

81. Opposed

Killing is killing whoever is doing it. State sanctioned executions shod be a thing of the past. Roof should be given a just, non-lethal punishment.

[Rhythm]

82. Solitary confinement until he's no longer alive...

As much as that little waste-of-oxygen deserves to ride 'Old Sparky' to Hell (or whatever they use in SC and whatever comes next), i cannot in good conscience endorse capital punishment on any level.
We all know the reasons why it should be abolished... no need to regurgitate it yet again.

Throw his ass in a 6'x8' concrete cage... all by himself (so the ABs can't make him their pet)... and let him rot in there for the rest of his life.

[rurallib]

83. No way - I think the only way he has meaning in his life is as a martyr for the cause

no way should he get that. Let him rot and dwell on what a miserable human he is.

I am generally opposed to the death penalty anyway. In this case it would be a real mistake.

[mvd]

89. No. Because I do not support any executions

I am morally against them and think they do not deter crime overall. Also, in our civilized society and with our prison system, they are not necessary. If I did support the death penalty, however, he would be a good candidate for it. He acted out of hate and with no remorse. Even though he is young, I am not sure he can be changed.

[myohmy2]

90. I'm generally...

...against the death penalty...but in his case, I'll make an exception...

[nini]

91. My reaction to stuff like this is I want people who stuff like he did to die in a fire and suffer

But when it comes down to it - no. Just put him away forever and throw the key away.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

92. grateful for the input. Blue CA just voted to keep the DP.

I voted to get rid of it. We still have the death penalty in CA. Then a case like this comes along....

[backscatter712]

93. KILL HIM!

Normally, I'm against the death penalty, but in Dylann Roof's case, I'm making an exception.

He murdered 9 people.

He did it in cold blood.

For no reason but the color of their skin.

He did it in a church.

He's not even denying it. He's fucking proud of it.

He's virtually bragging about his crimes in court.

I say feed him to a pack of ravenous dogs, a la Ramsay Bolton...

[LWolf]

94. No.

I oppose the death penalty. I don't think it serves any constructive purpose. It's not justice; justice was conviction and imprisonment to protect the rest of the population. Killing people is revenge, which feeds the worst people are capable of, not the best.