Originally Posted by Webby

Totally agree Sarah!

Suppose we should be thankful for advances in science re DNA and who knows what further advances will be made in future to establish more accurate forensic evidence.

Tho is may vary from country to country, there does not appear to be "infalibility" in what may be regarded as strong evidence. There are loopholes, failures and lawyers asleep on the job - we are all human, including lawyers.

The flip side of the coin is... if you got a rap sheet of a person condemned to death, - there are often many previous offences culminating in the "final solution". But again, that can serve as a reason "we know he did it" whether he did or not.

Another aspect... tho tends to be hidden, is the concept of executing underage people. OK.. who does? They wait, or did do, (not sure if that law is still in effect in the US?) till they are legal age then execute them.

There have been at least three kids treated this way (these are three that I happen to know about from a law person who researched their backgrounds, interviewed and became friends with two - up to and including their executions). They had all killed someone, usually one or both parents. The ages ranged from 11 years to.. think 14. The young boy in the middle of that age group was described as just "shut down" and no response. He had already given up - odd for a child. On the other two, they talked and one thing they had in common was the "abuse syndrome" again. They were both severely abused by either one or both parents over time - and serious abuse, often on a daily basis. There was little doubts all three committed the offences. Tho she was a law officer, this lady said she would have done the same as them and killed her parents if they abused her like that. She remained friends with both up to the time of their executions and one specifically asked if she would attend so he knew she was there when he was executed. She did.

Not sure, but think the laws may have since changed, and sure hope there is more consideration for the backgrounds - especially of those who commit offences while minors - when it comes to issuing death sentences.