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Death Penalty on Trial
Death Penalty on Trial: Crisis in American Justice | Bill Kurtis
4 posts | 2 read | 3 to read
Bill Kurtis, anchor of the wildly popular true-crime TV series Cold Case Files and American Justice, used to support the death penalty. But after observing the machinations of the justice system for thirty years, he came to a stunning realization that changed his life: Capital punishment is wrong. There can be no real justice in America until it is abolished. In The Death Penalty on Trial, Kurtis takes readers on his most remarkable investigative journey yet. Together, we revisit murder scenes, study the evidence, and explore the tactical decisions made before and during trials that send innocent people to death row. We examine the eight main reasons why the wrong people are condemned to death, including overzealous and dishonest prosecutors, corrupt policemen, unreliable witnesses and expert witnesses, incompetent defense attorneys, bias judges, and jailhouse informants. We see why the new jewel of forensic science, DNA, is revealing more than innocence and guilt, opening a window into the criminal justice system that could touch off a revolution of reform. Ultimately we come to a remarkable conclusion: The possibility for error in our justice system is simply too great to allow the death penalty to stand as our ultimate punishment.
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Texreader
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WARNING-CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC: I‘ve held strong opinions about the death penalty: first for & then against until I realized I couldn‘t come to terms with it. Then I became friends with Karen (see above) whose ex-husband was executed tonight. The article doesn‘t say that after he killed her family he tied up her kids, & holding a gun to her head made them tell their mama goodbye. I am relieved he is gone. I‘d like to hear opinions if you‘re willing.

Samplergal It‘s not an easy concept, until you become a victim, know a victim, or become a victim of the system. Some people are so evil, it‘s best, I think. Hugs to you. 💔 6y
CouronneDhiver It‘s not an option in my area but, in many ways, it seems to be an impossible decision. I don‘t have a good answer for how real justice is supposed to look. Either way, there‘s no “winner”... just deep pain! 😔 6y
Texreader @Samplergal @CouronneDhiver I think you‘ve both said it so well. I agree with you both so much. I felt at peace when I realized I couldn‘t find an answer and that that was ok. Now, however, I‘m happy-really-that someone was executed tonight. It‘s so very hard... it proves these things are messy ethically, morally, etc. (edited) 6y
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Weaponxgirl Disclaimer as I‘m in a country that doesn‘t have the death penalty. It‘s not an easy topic and for me I have split it into personal and ethical. On a personal level I know that I would wish death on someone for certain actions if they affected someone I loved and I don‘t feel sorry for some people‘s death. Morally I would like the law to be better than me as an individual. 6y
Weaponxgirl I don‘t judge people who have been through trauma wanting a certain outcome at all, it‘s completely understandable. It‘s such a big subject, hope that made sense and I hope your friend is healing. 6y
Texreader I think you described in words what I feel too: I want the law to be better than me. Tall order though since its basis is human too. Thanks for your very kind words for my friend. I know she never felt truly safe for the 30 years she waited for this. By his words and expressions he still held tremendous animosity toward her. 6y
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catatonic1242
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This was a speedy little read - it took me maybe two hours to get through. No new territory for anyone who has read up on the death penalty, but I liked Kurtis' approach - to-the-point, illustrative and factual.

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Jerame2999
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I have been a fan of ColdCase and American Justice my entire life. After actually thinking in earnest about the death penalty I could no longer support it. This book is written by a journalist who was a trained law student. It is written in an easy style that most can understand. Should be read.

KrisConstantReader I'm torn about the death penalty. Part of me is still highly in favor of it in certain cases, yet there's always the risk than an innocent person would fall victim to it. It's a tough one; my cousin was brutally murdered, I'm sure that colors my opinion somewhat. 9y
Megabooks I became against it when I was working as a journalist and couldn't bear to watch one. I felt if I couldn't see it, I shouldn't support it. 9y
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Jerame2999
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My debate teacher believed in brain food and brain candy. This is a little of both. The best part is having Bill Kurtis' voice in my head as the author.

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