Dickerson sentenced to death
Victim was tortured for 18 hours before being killed
By Robert Behre
For the first time in 13 years, a Charleston County jury decided Thursday that a defendant's crime of murder was horrible enough to merit a sentence of death.
The jury needed about two hours to recommend the ultimate penalty for William O. Dickerson Jr., who was convicted of kidnapping, sexually assaulting and murdering Gerard Roper.
William O. Dickerson
Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson said she hopes the verdict sends a message that the county won't tolerate this level of violence. She noted that Dickerson had two guns and could have killed Roper quickly in March 2006, but instead kept him hostage and tortured him for 18 hours.
"This was about pain. It was about making Gerard suffer, and the jury got that," she said. "The facts of this case were so over the top."
After kidnapping Roper from another James Island home, Dickerson took him to a Fleming Road apartment where he burned him, cut him 200 times, knocked out his teeth and sodomized him with two objects before finally killing him by strangulation. The motive was not revealed during the trial.
During the ordeal, Dickerson made a phone call to describe what he was doing — and a recording of that call was played during the two-week trial.
Roper's mother Shareen Roper said she was overwhelmed and speechless when the jury recommended death, but while the verdict gives her some peace, she also felt for Dickerson's family. she also felt for Dickerson's family.
"I know they've taken a loss just like I have, and it's not a great feeling," she said.
Previous story
Dickerson guilty on all counts, published 05/01/09
Dickerson was wearing a red and white prison outfit when Circuit Judge R. Markley Dennis formalized the sentence after the verdict. "Good luck to you sir," Dennis told him. "God go with you."
Defense lawyer Andrew Carroll said he figured it was a bad omen that the jury took only about two hours to decide whether Dickerson should spend the rest of his life in jail or be put to death. He explained that to Dickerson moments before the verdict was read.
"(Dickerson) said, 'OK,' and waited to hear it. I think his only reaction was to put his head down," Carroll said. "He didn't have a comment as such. He came into the courtroom optimistic."
The death sentence will be subject to review by the S.C. Supreme Court, and appeals are expected.
Wilson said initial indications were that the 12 jurors were likely to lean toward giving a sentence of life in prison, but the facts in this case tipped the scale. She also thanked the Roper family for its support of her office in the years since the crime.
One juror who asked not to be identified said Wilson's read on the jury was basically correct. "All of us didn't really like the idea of us deciding that someone should be put to death, but the case itself was just so clear.
"I think we all really liked in the first part that we did know without a shadow of a doubt he was guilty. ... It was such a brutal crime. As much as we didn't like the idea of the death penalty, we really felt for the family of the victim and the children a lot."
Wilson's office now will turn its attention toward three others charged in the case, including Dickerson's half brother Armon "Bubba" Dickerson and Rashid "Popcorn" Malik, who also face a charge of murder.
Armon Dickerson's wife Selena Rouse faces a charge of obstructing justice and being an accessory after the fact of a felony. All three testified at William Dickerson's trial.
"After the family has had a chance to decompress, we'll talk with them about whether or not there should be any offers put on the table," Wilson said.
In an unusual step, William Dickerson spoke to the jury before it reached its guilty verdicts last week in the trial's first phase, and Wilson said his performance, which included a loud plea and waving arms but no sense of regret or sadness about the crime, likely didn't win him any points.
"He was, in my view, very aggressive and claimed to have had no part of it," she said, adding that Dickerson never expressed remorse.
The solicitor's office last sought the death penalty in Charleston County several years ago, but was unsuccessful. The most recent death sentence occurred here in 1996, when James Earl Reed was convicted of murdering an Adams Run couple in 1994. The state put him to death last year.
For William Dickerson, murder runs in the family. His father William O. Dickerson Sr. died in Lieber Correctional Institution in October 2001 while serving a life sentence for murder. Carroll said Dickerson would be taken to the same prison.
Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
stanish (anonymous) says...
While I personally DON'T belive in or condone the death penalty(capital punishment), it amazes me for the most part that it's given to a Black for murdering another Black. WHITE america STILL clings to the belief that "It's LESS one that we have to DEAL with". Yes RACE plays a MAJOR factor! My Condolences and Sympathy to the murdered victim Gerard Roper family. I pray God gives you the strenght to move forward and put this MOST TRAGIC Vicious act behind you. I can only hope that the family of William Dickerson (especially the young ones) do not IMITATE this man or his late father in any way possible. Seperate and PURGE yourselves of him and his father sins!
May 8, 2009 at 1:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jstanotherday (anonymous) says...
You racial comments is what encourages racism to continue. The punishment fits the crime for this case. I suggest you pray for forgiveness and PURGE yourself of your racist attitude. I, for one, am relieved that one less murderer is off the streets regardless the color of his skin. Perhaps your feelings would not be so reluctant to have this man put to death for his crimes if it were one of your family members!!!!
May 8, 2009 at 2:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MC29461 (anonymous) says...
Hooray for Solicitor Scarlett Wilson.
The 9th Circuit needs to borrow Donnie Myers, 11th circuit's Solicitor in Lexington County for a few more trials.
He will offer each murderer the sentence they deserve - The Big Sleep!
The crime rate will fall if for no other reason than a reduction in criminals by a factor of one. Lowcountry politicians if the past were far too worried about getting re-elected to seek the death penalty.
Again, hooray for Solicitor Scarlett Wilson.
May 8, 2009 at 3:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stanish (anonymous) says...
Your racial comments @jstanotherday, No I just state the FACTS if you like it or NOT! I do NOT support or CONDONE Capital Punishment! If you must KNOW I have had a FAMILY Member whose life was taken away from them, not that it's a pleasant subject I enjoy discussing. I've even FORGIVEN, you understand FORGIVEN those involved PAINFUL as it was! I let God JUDGE as he is the ONLY RIGHTEOUS Judge. If you READ the article completely, even the victim's Mother said she FELT, translation meaning she has some COMPASSION for the defendant William Dickerson's family, I'm sure PAINFUL as it must be for her! Blacks are NOT in MOST cases treated FAIRLY or upheld to the same standards when it comes to JUSTICE in America! William Dickerson was sentenced to DEATH for this most vicious, heinous, unwarranted attack and taking another man's LIFE! I'm just saying for the record and statistics that RARELY Death is handed down for Black on Black crime including MURDER! You DON'T KNOW me to ACCUSE me of being a RACIST! Where is your PROOF or FACTS to substantiate the charges YOU made against me?
May 8, 2009 at 3:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bearNchucktown (anonymous) says...
What is a shame is that this is going to be dragged out for so many years to come... Look at Mitchel Sims (AKA the Domino's Pizza Serial Killer) almost 20 years on death row for two states SC and CA (he is housed in SC) and still putting the family and friends thru appeals and motion.
May 8, 2009 at 4:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stanish (anonymous) says...
William Dickerson was given the Ultimate Punishment for his crime of a CONVICTED Murderer. I hope and pray that his family can have some peace and that most of all they can LEARN from this and most definitely take another path in life that doesn't end in DESTRUCTION like that of HIS, HIS Brother, and yes HIS Own Father's! As for the Racism that I have been associated with, or ACCUSED being the better word, it was once upon a time, and still to a Great degree, that a Black Man's life had LITTLE or NO Value at all! We had and STILL DO for the MOST a Justice system that cares LITTLE or if at all whether JUSTICE PREVAILS or Not! I m a little young to remember, but my late Father, Grand Father, and Great Grand Father could REMEMBER when a Black Man could be LYNCHED by White Men for NO reason whatsoever than the COLOR of his SKIN being BLACK and NO JUSTICE was served! As a matter of FACT it was ENCOURAGED! Blacks killing Blacks MOST of the time NO JUSTICE is imposed even in the year 2009 we live in! Yes we've made some progress, but we STILL have a LONG, LONG, Way To Go!
May 8, 2009 at 4:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SeaSaw (anonymous) says...
Stanish - This crime was so brutal and shocking. The things he did to that poor fella are unspeakable. Surely you had a typo error. Maybe you meant RAPE instead of RACE. Just the thought of the broom handle makes me cringe.
I don't like to feed trolls, so as Forrest Gump would say: "that's all I've got to say about that!"
May 8, 2009 at 4:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pirate42 (anonymous) says...
I been saying this all along ... but he will be a burden on taxpayers for another 10 years. we know he guilty. get it over with WHY WAIT....
May 8, 2009 at 4:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pirate42 (anonymous) says...
Stanish god will judge agree.. but leave this vermon on the streets again or one like him he does more damage to your family than what will you still feel same, you want this trash draining our tax payers money. I DONT
May 8, 2009 at 4:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stanish (anonymous) says...
I'm NOT, repeat NOT CONDONING William Dickerson's ACTIONS by ANY means NECESSARY! He's been handed DOWN the ULTIMATE Fate being DEATH! He DESERVES PUNISHMENT! I'm saying I DON'T Support the DEATH PENALTY. and I'm SPEAKING for MYSELF on this one! He has to FACE God, the Ultimate Judge when his life is over and ACCOUNT for His TERRIBLE DEEDS! Sometimes RACE is a PAINFUL discussion in itself, but it STILL EXIST! I also stated that I hope and pray that William Dickerson's family can SEE the results of His, His Brother, and yes even His own Father bitter fruits and LEARN from it! If just ONE sees the DEVASTATING effects and CHOOSES a different Path in life, then there is some GOOD in this for EVERYONE!
May 8, 2009 at 4:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
I condone the death penalty no matter if you black, white or purple. That's the difference with "black" racism over any other. They just want to be treated differntly by everyone. Get the chip off your shoulders I've seen enough!
Good job solicitor, good job ladies and gentlemen of the jury.
I just hope he didn't have any children (odds are he did). Sounds like murder runs in the family...?
May 8, 2009 at 6:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MP (anonymous) says...
Stanish, get back on your medicine. You are ranting like a lunatic. I absolutely love it that when something happens that certain people like you do not like, it immediately becomes a racial issue. I, for one, am absolutely sick of that CRAP. And it is all a load of crap. If "perceived" racism is that big a deal to you, so be it. I said "perceived" because that it just it. It exists in your simple sick little mind.
I have followed this case carefully from the beginning. This guy got special treatment from the start because everyone wanted to make sure he was treated absolutely fairly. He has now been found guilty and sentenced to death. He got exactly what he and anyone else who did what he did deserves, no more, no less.
May 8, 2009 at 7:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
abitskeptical (anonymous) says...
Hooray for Scarlet? For doing the job she sought & was elected to do?
May 8, 2009 at 7:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
stanish, I really don't see the racism in this. The facts alone of this case stand on their own. I don't see how it could have taken two hours to come to that decision, admitting that I have not been in that situation as a juror. Also, while we as individuals are charged to forgive, we are not charged to be ignorant. God sets up governments to rule over us, and the death penalty is a legitimate tool of governments.
May 8, 2009 at 7:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ln1959 (anonymous) says...
Like my Great Grandmother would say: "Good Ridence!"
May 8, 2009 at 7:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BootstrapRed (anonymous) says...
This is not about race, but about justice. Evil presents itself in many forms and skin colors, but, it is still evil, and evil must be punished.
The punishment fits the crime, whether black, white, red, or yellow.
May 8, 2009 at 8:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BootstrapRed (anonymous) says...
Yied,
Once again, I couldn't agree more.
May 8, 2009 at 8:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BootstrapRed (anonymous) says...
Yird, sorry I misspelled your handle.
May 8, 2009 at 8:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CHRISJIII (anonymous) says...
I don't personally like the death penalty, but when dealing with a monster like this I have to support the decision of the jury. This guy showed no humanity in the way that he killed Gerard Roper and no remorse after the fact, so he gets what he deserves.
May 8, 2009 at 8:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Two_Sheds (anonymous) says...
Wow, stanish just loves that "caps lock" key, LOL! I agree with another poster here---don't feed the trolls.
Back to the issue at hand:
After his horrendous crime, Dickerson came into the courtroom optimistic?! Well, if he didn't hear a "pop" that morning, then I guess his head was still up his a** to have thought he'd get anything less than the death penalty on this one.
May 8, 2009 at 8:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BootstrapRed (anonymous) says...
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
May 8, 2009 at 7:20 a.m. ( permalink | )
yird (anonymous) says...
Wow, the P&C is carrying political correctness to the enth degree. No doubt my comment would have been given a pass if I had made a derogatory remark about Christianity.
Maybe we are going down the same slippery path toward thought and speech control being adopted by the United Kingdom.
Sucks!
May 8, 2009 at 9:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
Yird, nice try at the victim card. You've learned well. Bravo, well played
May 8, 2009 at 9:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BootstrapRed (anonymous) says...
The First Amendment as interpreted by liberals. Quash all speech in which you don't agree! Nothing regarding my opinion deserved to be removed. What a slippery slope we are climbing!
(I guess this will be "eliminated" also! Didn't the Third Reich use these very same tactics?)
May 8, 2009 at 9:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
Posted by UrGatorbait on May 8, 2009 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yird, nice try at the victim card. You've learned well. Bravo, well played
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Nothing about being a victim. Some people just can't seem to handle the truth and your apparently one of them.
May 8, 2009 at 9:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iceman1978 (anonymous) says...
I don't see any reason why it should take so many years to execute someone. I can't even imagine what it must have been like for the people on the jury to listen to all the evidence presented. Just reading about what this man did made me feel ill. My thoughts and prayers go to the Roper family.
We need to use capital punishment more often, and we need to start applying it in rape cases as well as murder cases. A scumbag like this has no right to continue drawing breath.
May 8, 2009 at 9:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jimjones (anonymous) says...
I don't know why my comment was removed. Anywho.....why is that the victim in these crimes does not get 10 to 20 years to appeal for his life yet the culprit does. We are not talking about a rape case or some other case where DNA might prove the person innocent, we are talking about a dude who killed another person in a absolutely horrific manor. This guy should be dealt with by noon on Monday.
Barry you suck!!!
May 8, 2009 at 9:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tc2 (anonymous) says...
Yird, restrain yourself, Big Brother will give you the correct truth as it exists at any given time if it is deemed approiate for you.
May 8, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tc2 (anonymous) says...
EDIT: "appropriate"
May 8, 2009 at 9:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
*Um, what is "black" racism?
* indicates a rhetorical question!
May 8, 2009 at 9:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
n4dhs (anonymous) says...
man this is the first time that I can remember that so many comments have been "withdrawn by staff" - can someone fill me in with these salacious comments....
May 8, 2009 at 10:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Two_Sheds (anonymous) says...
There were no salacious comments, from what I read. Certainly nothing like the "Dorchester Council" thread the other day!
I think someone just got a little "delete-happy" and clicked on the "suggest removal" because they didn't like someone else's opinions. It's unfair, but it happens on here, unfortunately. "Selective censoring" is what I call it.
May 8, 2009 at 10:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ltgrunt (anonymous) says...
Harold, there is no free speech on privately owned Internet message boards. P&C owns the website, and they're not obligated to make sure everyone's views are represented. If this were a government-run website, *then* you'd have a real Free Speech issue.
Still, when someone's post is flagged for removal, I doubt that whoever moderates these discussions really pauses to consider anything. Some of the people who read and post comments here are easy to offend and impossible to shut up once they've gotten that way, so to the site staff if probably makes everyone's lives easier to just delete any post suggested for removal regardless of merit.
May 8, 2009 at 10:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Two_Sheds (anonymous) says...
They left up stanish's drug-induced ravings, but took off another that alluded to the fact that the killer may be a Muslim.
And the other day on the "Religion stirs up a Dorchester meeting" thread, people were bashing Christians left and right....and no posts were removed. Figures.
May 8, 2009 at 10:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
n4dhs (anonymous) says...
then its just another usual day - but I just dont feel like saying anything else other than - victims will always feel like they are owed something....
May 8, 2009 at 10:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
For all of those that believe that justice would be better served if Dickerson had received a life sentence, please remember this. This pychopath would be housed with nonviolent criminals who may end up like poor Mr. Roper if Dickerson was allowed in general population.
Being sentenced to death puts him in a secluded area where hopefully he cannot harm another soul before he is rightfully executed.
I feel so badly for Mr. Roper's family, and truly hope that they can begin to heal as much as possible.
18 hours of torture.....No human being deserves to suffer like this. Dickerson is getting the easy way out.
May 8, 2009 at 11:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Reader (anonymous) says...
There were two murders here.
First, the murder that Dickerson committed deserved the death penalty. I favor full, thoughtful appeals, but I hope they occur quickly. Death penalty appelas should be taken out of order and considered before any older cases involving run-of-the-mill matters. There is no reason for an appeal to take more than two years, even in the worst cases. Even the slowest civil appeals generally get resolved within, at worst, four years.
The second murder in this case -- the murder of the English language by Standish -- needs to be punished as well. His crimes against grammar are the linguistic equivalent of a capital offense. Off with his head! (Or at least ban him from posting until he has had time to master basic sentence structure.)
May 8, 2009 at 11:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
Yird, you apparently think you are the one that knows the truth. You can come off you pedestal and put down the mirror.
This is a private message board and they can censor what they wish. Some here should learn the difference then again I look what state this is.
The bigoted racial comments from wunderkids like haroldreems, who casually dismiss the comments as "spirited and opinionated", can be censored. He won't own up to what he says, he'll dismiss as "opinionated" when called on it. No surprise there.
May 8, 2009 at 11:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tc2 (anonymous) says...
I've been wondering why he would torture like this and why no answer. Channel 5 reported at noon that he thought Roper was seeing his girl! If true she must be RELIEVED at the sentence.
May 8, 2009 at 12:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
Who cares what color a monster is ? He's still a fn monster! Good Riddance to this sick SOB. This has nothing to do with black,white or green.
May 8, 2009 at 12:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BigSargeofSC (anonymous) says...
I firmly believe they should bring back public hangings on the court house square. Lets start with this killer.
May 8, 2009 at 1:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BPFROM843 (anonymous) says...
It dont mean anything by the time he is executed none of us will remember who he is whats the point of using the death penalty if your just goin to make him sit on death row for 20years then put him down by then many of thousands of dollars go to supporting him if you get the death penalty you should be executed within 3 years max of your conviction
May 8, 2009 at 1:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SeaSaw (anonymous) says...
Authorities say Dickerson wrongly thought Roper was the man he saw in a video having sex with his girlfriend.
During the ordeal, Dickerson made a phone call to describe what he was doing - and a recording of that call was played during the two-week trial.
Does anyone know whom he called?
This was another torture in itself.
This guy clearly knew what he was doing the whole time.
May 8, 2009 at 1:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AEM (anonymous) says...
I really don't think race had a part in this- it was brutal torture and a slow death. If the man had been white they would have handed down the exact same sentence, and it would have been well deserved. Racism still exists, but from all sides- black, white, Christian, Muslim, etc. It's not a perfect world. Someone mentioned lynchings and such, but I don't have any recollection of any modern day lynchings. My family never condoned or participated in those actions, nor did the generations of my family tree before that. So, isn't it kind of reverse racism to group all caucasian people into one category- that we're all racist? Seems a little closed minded to me.
May 8, 2009 at 1:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
5150 (anonymous) says...
He called his ex-girlfriend. She 3-wayed the call to her voicemail.
May 8, 2009 at 1:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CWL922 (anonymous) says...
I think when he received the death penalty, he should have been executed before midnight. If someone objected to that timeframe, they could have personally paid to keep him alive as long as they want. I mean they should have to pay all expenses and some extra so the state can make a profit on him. Miss a payment and he executed that day before another penny is spent on him.
May 8, 2009 at 2:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
burton (anonymous) says...
As usual, most of these guys show no remorse. Many of you ask why it takes so long to execute someone on death row? Well, there have been a lot of cases where people on death row have been proven to be innocent through DNA testing, etc. I know the process is long but you want to be 100% sure that you are executing the right person. Do a Google search on the Innocence Project.
May 8, 2009 at 2:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SeaSaw (anonymous) says...
5150, That was smart thinking on her part.
May 8, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
Posted by BootstrapRed on May 8, 2009 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is not about race, but about justice. Evil presents itself in many forms and skin colors, but, it is still evil, and evil must be punished.
--------------------------------------------------------
In this you are correct. Your evil words and deeds will surely not be looked upon kindly on judgment day. You and the other racists evil will one day face this justice by spending eternity in hell.
You have worked hard at it and I have no doubt your deeds will be repaid in full.
May 8, 2009 at 2:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MP (anonymous) says...
BigSarge, I'm with you on that one! Would do a lot towards crime prevention.
May 8, 2009 at 3:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCdeacinNYC (anonymous) says...
MP I doubt it. Death penalty never has been or never will be a deterrent. For the most part, murderes, especially those who kill in this manner are sociopathic in nature. Those sort of people don't fear punishment or death. I doubt many people who commit murders think beforehand, "hmm maybe I shouldn't do this because maybe I'll get caught, then convicted and then executed." Yeah I'm positive that's NOT a thought process that happens. There are many reasons why people support the death penalty, this isn't a very useful one. America is one of the few countries western countries that still has the death penalty (maybe the ony one?) and I'm pretty sure our murder and violent crimes rate is much higher than any other western nation, so yeah obviously executing *some* of our killer isn't working to stop that.
I oppose it, mostly because it's unbalanced and at times arbitrary. In other words, the most heinous criminals often avoid it, so why do it to some and not all. (This is just the nature of our justice system, but still pretty crappy). Having said that, I won't be shedding a tear when this guy is executed you commit a heinous crime, you know what to expect.
Also, I generally oppose the idea of any sort of public hangings...it reeks of mob mentality, the same one that reigned in this country until the 1960s and 1970s and we all know where that often led to.
May 8, 2009 at 3:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CWL922 (anonymous) says...
The problem with the death penalty is that we don't honor it enough. If every death sentence meant death it would have a different effect on the murderers. They know that they will live a long and happy life in prison if sentenced to death.
May 8, 2009 at 4:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCdeacinNYC (anonymous) says...
CWL922 I honestly think you are giving way too much credit to the thought process of murderers (especially the most heinous ones). Like I said before, I doubt many of them are crunching numbers and percentages before they commit murder. There are many reasons why people kill or don't kill and the death penalty is not likely to be high on that list. I'm not sure if any studies have been done on this...(ugh just the thought seems annoying, interviewing murderers and asking their thought process when their usually is none) but it just doesnt seem likely that they are deterred at the though of punishment. Many never think they will get caught, because a lot don't. Many don't care about the punishment be it death or wise because, well, there are many philosophers who say that they only people who think about punishment are the people with an actual moral compass. Those that don't...don't. I don't know how far my belief of that goes. But I think it's somewhat valid.
I also wouldn't go as far as to say someone lives a "long and happy life" in prison. Sure not all prisons are Oz, but many of them are close. They have some amenities there, but the life itself does not seem pleasant or happy on anyway, shape or form. And for the people only sentenced for a short amount of time, the environment is only conducive to them returning there. Not because they want to but because of an engrained "prison mentality" that's hard to escape.
May 8, 2009 at 4:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammer (anonymous) says...
try 'em n fry 'em all the same day, save us all a lot of money n time...
May 8, 2009 at 4:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
maeko (anonymous) says...
@reader...lol. We will not abide either!
what this man did was straight-up horror movie frightening. i couldn't care less if they kill him, exile him, or shoot him into space. just get rid of him.
the ex-girlfriend must have been scared out of her skin. she's lucky to be alive. he would have come for her next.
May 8, 2009 at 4:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
UrGatorbait Looking at some of your previous posts shows beyond any doubt that you have a proclivity for jumping on anything you conceive to be even remotely racial in it's tone.
You like to give advice, so here is a bit for you.
Try ridding yourself of your perpetual righteous indignation.
You claim to have done two tours in Iraq. If that's the case then you should have attained a level of maturity that is commensurate to your past experiences.
Then again, it depends what kind of service you performed while in theater. There are those who get sent out on the front lines placing their butts in extreme harms way and others who shuffle papers at headquarters.
Not belittling any of it but "tours" can mean a lot of things and the way you carry on over the slightest perceived, racially motivated comment speaks to an intellect uncomfortable dealing with controversy.
May 8, 2009 at 7:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BlackReign (anonymous) says...
Wow, this looked like a ugly thread.
yird, realamerican = the deleted blu_eyes, jimislander, spanky, johnQ
May 8, 2009 at 7:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bootlicked (anonymous) says...
He looks innocent.HaHaHaHa They should take his teeth to the money man when they are through.
May 8, 2009 at 8:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MP (anonymous) says...
Hey Dickerson- Ivey's waiting on you in Hell!!!
May 8, 2009 at 9:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MP (anonymous) says...
SCDeac- I respectfully disagree with you on the effectiveness of public hangings. Maybe not the hanging itself, but the visual impact of letting the guy swing for a day or two for all to see. If the visual effect scares the hell out of a single potential criminal enough to straighten him out, it serves a purpose. The mental image of the guy at the end of the rope would be something very difficult to forget.
I am sure the crook pulling the gun on the convenience store clerk would have a flash-back image in his brain of what could very well happen if he actually pulled the trigger and killed someone. I would imagine more than a few would reconsider. Maybe not the career criminals, but many of the first-timers.
May 8, 2009 at 9:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
STREETWISE (anonymous) says...
Like I said last time FRY HIM!!! To bad they didn't make the affidavid public knowledge you all would have skipped the trial and went straight to the chair! He was planning on doin' this to more than one person. He is sick and instead of a needle or a chair (some level of comfort) he should not be afforded an appeal and someone should be able to do to him what he did to Mr. Roper. He is the South Cacks version of Jeffrey Dalmer with the exception that he didn't eat his victem. He is the true meaning of "unrepairable".
God Bless the Roper family for being strong and having an ounce of faith in the judicial system. GREAT JOB SCARLET!
I hope he drops the soap!...but i think he has in the past! Stay tuned to see what happens to the rest of them.. They all need to go to hell in a flamin' cadillac with gasoline tires!
May 8, 2009 at 9:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HGRR8282 (anonymous) says...
Jesus was crucified and arose from the dead and when he arose he went and saved the same people that nailed him "tortured" to the cross. It is no one's call to kill anyone. The crime was horrible and he should be punished. Yet in the End, God is the ultimate punisher.
In the bible,David murdered another man to have his wife but he also wrote most of, if not all of PSALMS.
At night when you sleep or in your daily life, you can't think or say you would be proud of saying I said, "he should be killed." It does not bring the victim back nor does it justify the crime.
God is forgiving!!! I pray for both families!!
May 8, 2009 at 10:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trux4u (anonymous) says...
I feel we should use the death penalty more often but its a fact that is does not deter any criminal behavior. Just because the laws says dosnt make it so, hence laws. Acts of this nature are a result of mental,physical or emotional abuse. Knowing its wrong to kill and killing is not a choice for some. The only soultion is to exterminated the problem and hope he has not mentaly, physicaly or emotionaly ruined someone else.
May 9, 2009 at 12:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MP (anonymous) says...
HGRR8282- we want to let God do the punishing. We just want to expedite the meeting.
May 9, 2009 at 7:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stephaniem (anonymous) says...
I am against the death penalty for one reason...it is more expensive than several life sentences and several blacks have been minutes away from death before DNA freed them as most blacks in prison can't afford decent representation
May 9, 2009 at 2:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HGRR8282 (anonymous) says...
MP, How can anyone who walks on this earth call their self a christian,an believe in the death penalty!! The money they spend on killing someone, they can stop these schools from closing or help the homeless! Priorities!!!!
May 9, 2009 at 7:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CWL922 (anonymous) says...
Look at it this way. You execute him, end of story. You let him out and he kills again and again. He does not even need to be let out, he can kill prisoners while in prison. You are saving lives by executing him. Would you rather have one death(him) or multiple deaths(his victims)?
May 10, 2009 at 9 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
I ever-so-do-wonder if Ms. Scarlett's office will ever get off of their back-sides and gives us an answer on our case.
May 26, 2009 at 7:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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