Reply #40: Lot of particulars...

[NoGodsNoMasters]

It seems to me theres' a lot of little subtleties to this case. The guys' crime, sex between a 17 and a 14 year old is HIGHLY questionable, but, from what it sounds like it was consensual. The merits of how much of a penalty he deserves for that are complex, he looks fairly young, probably didn't serve too much time. Slapping him with the sex offender tag is a bit harsh given the circumstances, perhaps sex offenses could be more clearly seperated into degrees? like murder 1, murder 2, manslaughter, etc. Also, stabbing and beheading someone is excessively violent and ghoulish and suggests psychosis, these kids clearly belong somewhere other than civilized society. That said, I support the death penalty. However, I have many qualms with the application, such as in cases where people who are accessories, but not participants. I believe the death penalty should be utilized only in particular cases , ex: Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, etc, and performed in the quickest, least painful way possible. However, I would also suggest, and I don't think I'm alone here, that we NEED harsher penalties for REAL sex offenders, many of whom get off with counseling. Jeffrey Dahmer for example, sexually assaulted a boy went through a rehabilitation program and was released shortly, where he began his murder spree.Also, individuals who take such great pleasure in making others suffer purely for enjoyment don't change. I could even support the death penalty be extended to cover serial rapists and child molesters (Unlike the victim in this current case.) as these crimes require a marked, inherent sadism. Sexual assault is, and should be seen as, a form of TORTURE. One could argue that sexual assault is worse than murder as most murderers kill they're victims very quickly, while molesters or rapists draw out they're violence, and may repeat it over and over on the same person, moreover the psychological harm they inflict lasts a lifetime.