The American Spectator

USA & Israel, friends forever.| 9.7.11 @ 9:58PM

If I was him I would have at least had second thought about killing that guy who was found guilty of killing his family in an arson. They had all kinds of evidence that he (I think his name was Williamson) had nothing to do with it. But, the board concerned is a joke & he never got a hearing. Pretty sure an innocent guy died that day & Parry signed off on it. I'm with you on this, this guy is bad news.

Timothy L. Pennell| 9.8.11 @ 8:05AM

What's the problem? We're talking about KILLERS. MURDERERS. We're talking about VENGENCE for the Innocent Victims, who's lives were cut short by a piece of inhuman garbage.
How many CHILD MURDERERS are sitting in prison, getting 3 squares a day, and a cot, as their Victims ROT in the ground, and their Victim's Families lives are DESTROYED?
Some of you keep crying the blues: "Oh, what if there's a mistake?"
So, we shouldn't meet out the PUNISHMENT that they so richly deserve, because we MIGHT get it wrong, once?
I believe in the old saw, that states: "Kill'em all, and let GOD sort it out."
I wonder how some of you crybabies would be talking outta the other side of your Mouths, if it was YOUR KID, that was BRUTALIZED, and TORTURED TO DEATH, by one of these poor babies.
I'm talking to YOU, Hillyer! Obviously your DRESS is too tight. Or, is it your PANTIES?
YOU sicken ME.
Now, go home and put on the Lifetime Channel.
P*ssy.

Kingofthenet| 9.8.11 @ 10:10AM

Well for me, Is it better to let a thousand guilty men go free than imprison one innocent man. To each their own.

Warrior| 9.8.11 @ 12:36PM

As incredible as it sounds, we can actually agree on something.

Joey| 9.8.11 @ 10:29AM

Good heavens, man, we aren't talking about true murderers etc., who I agree need the death penalty, but about the possibility of INNOCENT people being swept up in the process. Get a grip, and understand the argument before you jump in.

Seek| 9.8.11 @ 11:36AM

You have confirmed Hillyer's point. Yes, executions for unuusally heinous crimes should take place. But we still are talking about State-sponsored takings of human lives, however guilty. The lack of any moral gravitas by Perry is appalling.

Now go to your room.

Have you considered| 9.8.11 @ 11:42AM

TLP, I must disagree with you here.

I too am a believer in capital punishment, but I also believe that 10 guilty should go free before 1 innocent man be executed.

There have now been 273 convicts exonerated by the Innocence Project. They are the group that tests DNA where possible to to review old cases. Go see for yourself at http://www.innocenceproject.org/

We all know that eye witness' and even victims are notoriously unreliable.

Prosecutors are also notorious for wanting a conviction...any conviction...Think Duke Lacrosse players.

I believe, as provide for in the Constitution in the jury system, but we also know that juries are now hand picked by both sides based upon personality indicators. There is a whole industry devoted to this aspect of our legal system.

We no longer have a justice system as it has devolved into a legal system.

Quartermaster| 9.8.11 @ 6:10PM

The Duke scam was all to typical of the behavior of Prosecutors. It was just more open in that case. usually, they do a better job of hiding their misbehavior.

Kingofthenet| 9.7.11 @ 10:07PM

I would have asked him about that guy He killed that was convicted of killing his kids in a fire, that later turned out to be junk fire science.

Derek Leaberry| 9.8.11 @ 9:41AM

Mr. Hillyer should go back to defending Boehner budget cutting- tiny cuts in the rate of growth rather than actual budget cuts.

CalMark| 9.7.11 @ 10:13PM

Oh, boy, Quin. With the purple prose.

Sorry, pal. Perry got applause, because people not infected with the wisdom to find Beltway Penumbras in every statement understood what he was saying.

More DC-NYC Important Thinker projection here.

Don| 9.15.11 @ 2:17AM

He got applause because people reacted emotionally instead of thinking things through to their conclusion. Listen, I like Perry, but he has some major liabilities (forced injections, social security, etc.). I'm seriously concerned about getting Obama for another 4 years if Perry is the nominee. Vote for Santorum, Romney, Gingrich...whoever...even Ron Paul. But please people - don't send Perry up against Obama. Our country cannot afford 4 more years of that guy at the helm.

Kingofthenet| 9.7.11 @ 10:16PM

Yeah, i thought it was a bit 'Bloodthirsty' by the audience to applaud peoples deaths that they don't know whether they are truly guilty or not.

Antimedia| 9.7.11 @ 10:19PM

You're the morally depraved one for considering the animals who kill murder innocent citizens children of God. Satan yes, but certainly not God. Society is better off without them, and yes, we should celebrate their passing.

Please spare us the namby, pamby crap.

USA & Israel, friends forever.| 9.7.11 @ 10:24PM

Unless they are innocent as proven by the evidence after the fact, but you are governor so you blow it off & won't answer the guy's phone call. What kind of an animal wants to see innocent people killed by junk science?

Negro X| 9.8.11 @ 6:00AM

ALGORE

Have you considered| 9.8.11 @ 11:45AM

Bingo NegroX. Very clever :)

BD57| 9.7.11 @ 10:43PM

Do you understand the concept of "sin"? "All have sinned & fallen short of the Glory of God" ring a bell?

How 'bout this - No justice system created by fallible human beings can guarantee it gets every case right ... the best we can hope for is that our system is fair & gets the overwhelming majority of cases right. Which - by definition - means an innocent person could conceivably be wrongfully convicted & sentenced to death.

While I believe the death penalty is just, the gravity of the thing demands (at least, it does to me) that we willingly entertain (even if we ultimately reject) doubt about its application in any particular case.

It's a bigger deal than whether someone was unjustifiably sentenced to 3-5 years.

USA & Israel, friends forever.| 9.7.11 @ 10:47PM

You can always release the guy if it's 3-5. If he's dead, not so much. Why even have a pardon system if you will not use it in cases where good evidence of innocence is presented?

Antimedia| 9.7.11 @ 10:53PM

Because good evidence of his innocence was not adduced. Except by agenda driven journalists and libs.

Antimedia| 9.7.11 @ 10:50PM

Do you understand the concept of guilt?

Willingham had access to all the tools of the justice system. What you call "junk science" was the science that was known at the time. Now, the scientists can say, "It might not have been arson", which is not the same as saying, "It was not arson."

There was other evidence in the case, all of which gets completely ignored in the rush to defend Willingham after the fact.

Seek| 9.8.11 @ 11:38AM

Antimedia: The whole point of the criminal justice system is to make sure we don't punish the innocent -- to weed out the possibility of railroading those who haven't committed any crime and to punish only the guilty. You and Timothy Pennell seem to have issues upstairs.

Belloc| 9.7.11 @ 10:20PM

I thought Perry performed poorly in the debate. However, his death penalty response was his best moment.

Perhaps if he had done a Huckabee (eg. released a murderer who killed again) it would have raised his "compassion quotient" with the beltway crowd.

Dai Alanye| 9.8.11 @ 12:27AM

Well put in all respects

miken| 9.7.11 @ 10:34PM

I'm ambivalent about the death penalty, but I'm with Rick Perry. He is the governor and should execute the laws, and execute the prisoners.

USA & Israel, friends forever.| 9.8.11 @ 12:16AM

"Formerly we suffered from crimes, presently we suffer from laws" - Tacitus. The law is not perfect. It is a certainty that the law will ensnare the innocent. Something to consider the next time you cheer for the next execution on the TV show.

Antimedia| 9.7.11 @ 10:45PM

It's impossible to say that Todd Willingham was innocent. You don't know that. He gave numerous conflicting stories that made him seem guilty. The arson scientists did not rule out arson. They only said it might not have been arson. That's not the same as saying it was NOT arson.

He was found guilty, had numerous appeals and had his case reviewed several times. Those who want to think he was innocent will believe it no matter what the evidence says.

USA & Israel, friends forever.| 9.7.11 @ 10:48PM

Definition of reasonable doubt.

Antimedia| 9.7.11 @ 10:51PM

Which is a call for the jury, not for johnny-come-latelys with agendas.

USA & Israel, friends forever.| 9.7.11 @ 11:02PM

Not supposed to die if there is reasonable doubt. It was Parry's call & he made a bad call.

Antimedia| 9.7.11 @ 11:14PM

The jury didn't think there was a reasonable doubt. Neither did numerous reviews of the case at all levels. No one cares what johnny-come-latelys ignorant of the case think.

USA & Israel, friends forever.| 9.7.11 @ 11:27PM

sentence should have been changed to life while we figure out the details. No do-overs for death. Your "reviews" are rubber stamps, you have no idea of the law in Texas. The jury was shown a case that was poorly defended, very typical for poor defendants with public defenders.

Point is , we can't have government killing innocent civilians. People obviously DO care & any attempt to minimize state sanctioned murder only make it worse. Parry needs to OWN this murder & apologize, or be marginalized & defeated. America will forgive but you have to ask for it. Count on it.

Margie| 9.8.11 @ 12:19AM

The definition of reasonable doubt that you have in mind is I believe, incorrect.

It is supposed to be beyond reasonable doubt.

You are allowed to have reasonable doubt. If it is that you find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, that you are not supposed to find guilt.

Newkid| 9.8.11 @ 12:54AM

The Appeals courts do not reexamine evidence and determine whether reasonable doubt exists. You obviously do not understand what issues people are actually appealing. Stating that all levels seemed to agree that there was reasonable doubt is factually and legally incorrect.

Nobody cares what these Johnny-come-latelies say about the court process and what I means.

W| 9.8.11 @ 10:55AM

In death penalty cases there are numerous appeals.
For example, in Pa there is an appeal first to the trial judge, then a direct appeal to the Pa supreme court. Then you start again with another appeal to the trial court where you allege incompetent assistance of counsel, and any other reason you can think of. Then you appeal this again to the Pa Supreme Court,.
After this you can also file in federal court and appeal that.

At every stage the evidence is reviewed very closely.

And finally, you can ask the governor for a commutation of the sentence.

All the ones executed in Texas had the same appeal process, and the courts did not find any reason to overturn the jury's verdict.

Brian Williams and Quin would feel better if Perry cried or wept like Clinton, or if Perry released on furlough like Dukakis someone like Willie Horton so he could rape and torture. Is it better to release a thousand Willie Hortons to rape and kill rather than risk an "innocent" man executed?

Todd S| 9.8.11 @ 6:16PM

No but that is what bleeding heart liberals think, the safety of society be damned. Quin has embarrassed himself yet again.

beebop| 9.8.11 @ 5:54AM

First? It's PERRY not Parry.

Second?

I believe most Americans are sick and tired of people sitting on death row for decades, exhausting the legal system. I know that I am. If you don't want to suffer the consequences, don't undertake the crime.

Kingofthenet| 9.7.11 @ 11:09PM

Perry didn't have to let him out of jail, just commute the Death Sentence.

Antimedia| 9.7.11 @ 11:21PM

The Governor of Texas has no power to commute a sentence except "upon the written recommendation of a majority of the applicant's trial officials in the county of conviction, stating that the penalty now appears to be excessive, recommending a definite term, based on new information not before the judge or jury at trial, or a statutory change in the penalty."

http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/bp.....F_SENTENCE

It would help if you idiots actually understood our state and its laws before passing judgment on us or our Governor.

USA & Israel, friends forever.| 9.7.11 @ 11:32PM

The governor has the power to overrule the trial officers as you know. The officers on the board could not even recall the case, so superficial was their review. The whole thing is sloppy & shallow & bad news. The fish stinks from the head on this one my friend.

Antimedia| 9.7.11 @ 11:50PM

No, the Governor does not. Read the law.

USA & Israel, friends forever.| 9.8.11 @ 12:08AM

He has the 30 day reprieve option that you have not mentioned.

In capital cases, the Board considers an application for commutation of sentence to life in prison and for a reprieve of a scheduled execution. If a majority of the Board members make a written recommendation for clemency in a death penalty case, the governor may grant commutation or a reprieve. The length of the reprieve can be 30 days or longer, in increments of 30 days. The governor also has the power to grant a one-time thirty-day reprieve of execution in capital cases. http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/bp.....clem.html. The key word here is "also". If you look at the case you will see that a true expert had got ahold of the evidence & destroyed the prosecution's case just as the execution was coming up; a 30 day reprieve could have made all the difference.

As an aside, I do not understand why so many Republicans seem to side with the state on this issue. Why should we be defending the state when it comes to the ultimate civil rights violation? Should we not be the ones most vociferous, demanding that those that are executed by the state be truly guilty?

Antimedia| 9.8.11 @ 12:49AM

The ultimate civil rights violation? You cannot be serious. You commit a crime. You are caught, tried and convicted by a jury of your peers. You go through a series of appeals lasting years and years. In the end, you are put to death. Where's the civil rights violation?

Let's talk about the violation of the rights of those slaughtered by the murderers, with no trial, no jury, no representation, no chance for appeal.

Your priorities are so screwed up your head is screwed on backwards.

DRed| 9.8.11 @ 12:56AM

Um, if you didn't actually commit the crime, then shouldn't you not be executed for something you didn't do?

Nick| 9.8.11 @ 1:50AM

Nice grammar, DRed!

W| 9.8.11 @ 10:58AM

Are you against capital punishment under all circumstances, or only the ones under Republican governors? Since you claim to be a friend of Israel, was it ok to hang Eichman?

Stan| 9.7.11 @ 10:57PM

Perry isn't perfect--or Romney, or Bachman, or Palin, or Paul, or Gingrich, or whoever the other Republicans are who have declared for the presidential race. But the most important thing: they ARE NOT OBAMA!!! I hope TAS, NR, Weekly Standard, Human Events, WSJ and others don't so very nearly destroy all/any of these that Barry cakewalks to another term.

Spartanfan| 9.7.11 @ 11:59PM

We need to be careful... Yes, Obama must be defeated... and he probably will be.

But... if we get another RINO or a "sort-of" conservative who screws up the economy, Conservatism will get the bad rap.

Not the candidate who screws up... it will be conservatism itself that will be damned.

We've worked long and hard to get the majority of Americans to identify with the conservative movement. We had the good luck to have Obama elected and be a (predictably) awful President.

Americans can now see exactly what Liberalism is and does... and that the overwhelming majority of Democrats are stark-raving Liberals.

We simply HAVE to pick the right candidate who will unleash the awesome power of the American people and the free-markets that have worked so wonderfully well for over 234 years.

If we get another Bush (HW or W) who tries the RINO way, it will set us back another 100 years.

Ed Reyes| 9.7.11 @ 11:07PM

Oh come on! Get off your high horse. Each one of the candidates knows that each and every question is designed to get the very same weak-kneed response you just gave to the death penalty answers by Perry. You know very well the Governor does not "kill" two hundred and some people in Texas; a jury of peers condemns them for crimes committed. The people of the state create the legal jurisprudence. Governor Perry firmly stated what many of us at home feel. A murderer should face severe penalties so we can all live in peaceful communities. What I saw was a leader that refused to allow Politico to manipulate Governor Perry like a puppet; designed to elicit "crocodile tears" like yours. I applaud Gov. Perry's recent strength in resisting outrageous meddling by the Mexican government regarding the execution of the convicted Mexican national that raped and brutally murdered that young Texas girl; the daughter of grieving parents. That is what we saw in my home, leadership and strength.

Kingofthenet| 9.7.11 @ 11:12PM

Well maybe when your on Vacation in Cancun, the Mexican Govt can arrest you and NOT inform the US than execute you OK?

Antimedia| 9.7.11 @ 11:30PM

If he rapes a 14 year old girl, jams a 15" stick up her vagina and beats her head in with a rock, I hope Mexico does arrest him, and I could care less if the US every knows about it.

beebop| 9.8.11 @ 5:57AM

Vacationer or illegal alien? You say tomato ....

burt| 9.7.11 @ 11:13PM

Oh Quinn, did you forget your big boy panties again. You have lost it.
Please feel free to start your own " hug a serial killer day ".
Some of you AS DC beltway wimps are clueless.

Mimi| 9.8.11 @ 9:17AM

Burt..I believe Quin was upset by Perry's attitude and came off as matter of "factly"!
From what we have seen and heard from Perry in this short time he does not come off as a cold person lacking natural human compassion. He was in a debate and his thinking was to defend Texas.... he needs to get a PASS on this one!

Margie| 9.8.11 @ 5:21PM

Yaye Mimi!

David W| 9.7.11 @ 11:14PM

From information about Humberto Leal García, executed this year: "There was a 30- to 40-pound asphalt rock roughly twice the size of the victim's skull lying partially on the victim's left arm; Blood was underneath this rock. A smaller rock with blood on it was located near the victim's right thigh.” There was also a stick 15 inches (380 mm) in length extending out of her vagina, with a screw at the end. Leal claimed that she fell and hit her head."

That is why I support the death penalty - there is pure evil out there and we have to fight it. If that means executing someone like this then so be it. Saying that life in prison should be sufficient is, I feel, coming from someone who does not understand reality. I read of a prisoner who was on death row who almost cut a person's arm off with a razor. Even impending death penalty didn't stop him from being a threat to others.

When you consider what has to happen for someone to be tried and convicted (beyond a reasonable doubt) of a heinous crime, and then be sentenced to death, with years of numerous appeals it is amazing that any executions can take place. Is it possible for an innocent person to be sentenced to death? Of course, and I can win the Texas lottery (sorry about being so flippant but what the heck). From my understanding, Perry is not involved in trying any death penalty case, is not involve with convicting the person or sentencing them to death. He doesn't insert the needle nor inject the lethal concoction. As I understand it he also is not free to pardon someone or commute their sentence. A recommendation has to be sent to him. If this happens he can act.

Saying that he presided over these executions is somewhat ridiculous. At least he has the courage to stand up and make his position known, instead of acting like a typical RINO (disclaimer - I live in Texas, am not sure if I am 100% in favor of Perry as President, but considering the options He may be the best chance at taking Obama out of the oval office).

REMEMBER OMG - Obama Must Go!!!

Daniel Peterson| 9.7.11 @ 11:18PM

I couldn't agree more strongly. I thought the answer was sickeningly casual and complacent.

I support the death penalty -- I'm not wildly enthusiastic about it, but it doesn't cause me nightmares -- but I really, really didn't like his answer. And I didn't like the audience's applause.

Carrying out an execution is -- or ought to be -- a very solemn and awful thing. Not an occasion for cheering.

Antimedia| 9.7.11 @ 11:25PM

Read this and then come back and make that stupid statement again. http://tinyurl.com/3rw6pc2

Daniel Peterson| 9.8.11 @ 1:40AM

I'm sorry that you think it "stupid" to regard deliberately taking a life, any life, as a solemn and awful thing -- even if necessary, even if justified.

Given your apparent definition, though, I would prefer to be "stupid" than what you evidently consider "smart."

I don't want to live in a society where killing human beings is ever thought easy.

beebop| 9.8.11 @ 6:00AM

Perhaps if you lived within one day's travel of a border with the Mexican Drug Cartelel under the impotence of the lack of enforcement by the US government you'd feel differently. I lived in Texas. I found that residing in a state where the death penalty was enforced brought a degree of safety that I did not feel living in other (read NY) states in this country.

Daniel Peterson| 9.8.11 @ 2:05PM

It's not a matter of being for or against the death penalty.

I'm concerned -- deeply concerned -- about what I saw as Rick Perry's rather cavalier attitude toward executions.

Killing people is not a light matter.

Margie| 9.8.11 @ 5:22PM

He had no cavalier attitude.
Leftist talking point exposed.

Controse| 9.7.11 @ 11:21PM

So now our leading candidate is disqualified because he doesn't agonize enough while enforcing the laws of his state. Your offended. Well how momentous for all of us readers. Thanks for your opinion Mr. Hillyer. You may return to your set at the back of the class facing the wall until recess.

Paul Zummo| 9.7.11 @ 11:28PM

I'm opposed to the death penalty, but I find this over-the-top response to Perry's response to be much more sickening.

Penny| 9.7.11 @ 11:58PM

Agree. Can't have it both ways. If you support the death penalty, no amount of self-righteous soul searching will change the end result, so to speak.

Liz| 9.7.11 @ 11:38PM

Acting out internal moral conflict in front of the American public might appeal to a Huckabee, but many of us appreciate someone who is clear on what the law requires of them. I think your assumption that Perry doesn't value human life because he didn't weep openly over the Texas capital punishment law is exactly that. An assumption.

John| 9.7.11 @ 11:58PM

Sickened? What about the victims, and the subsequent victims of released murderers. Huge burden to pull (let alone preserve) a death penalty in Texas or anywhere else in the US. Absolutely no angels on death row. Your comments are pointless comfort to liberals, Georgetown. Obama will NOT be running against the death penalty.

Claypoole| 9.8.11 @ 9:37AM

Truman Capote appeared on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson when his, Capote's, non-fiction novel, "In Cold Blood," was published. Capote had spent a lot of time studying death row and its inmates in the U.S. in preparation for writing the book.

Carson said to Capote, "They're" [the inmates on death row] "not all really guilty, are they?" Capote answered, "Of course they are."

Todd S| 9.8.11 @ 6:19PM

That is an awesome book however fruity the author was. Quin is an idiot, I really can't stand to read either him or Ben Stein.

burt| 9.8.11 @ 12:03AM

I guess Quin demands we have a Oprah moment where Perry would cry and hug all for those poor serial murders and Narco Drug killers that had no mommie growing up which lead to their murderous rampages .
That big meanie Perry !!

George S| 9.8.11 @ 12:22AM

Do wardens agonize over the decision to use force to prevent an inmate from seeking his natural state of freedom? No, because the warden is a cog in a machine that is created out of law. Just like the death penalty process. You cannot put the moral burden on a governor for a process that originates from the consent of the governed (the bedrock of a constitutional republic).

The people are the ones who set the execution into motion and hired the governors and the prosecutors and the police to make sure it functions as intended (to 'make regular' in constitutional lingo). One has no moral obligation that is greater than the other. How many police officers have been asked if they can sleep at night after arresting a mass murderer that will in all probability be executed? Sounds silly, don't it.

Simon Templar| 9.8.11 @ 12:26AM

Quin,

Excellent liberal talking point! Well, while your apologizing and hand wringing over these henious murderers, maybe you could write a letter to the families of these victims explaining that position.

Please no more cheap shots. Try to stick with professional journalism, the facts, and grounded research about the candidates.

Margie| 9.8.11 @ 12:27AM

Quin,

I thought he was making a true statement. And that is, if you commit murder in his state of Texas, and are found guilty, you will pay the ultimate price.

You said he said he never even struggled with the idea of taking those lives~ I must have missed that. But anyway, he doesn't take their lives, they forfeited them themselves when they took the lives of other human beings, and at least that is how God looks at it in the Bible.

And the Bible teaches us that we are not all children of God, but that we must become His children.

Jn. 1:12.

USA & Israel, friends forever.| 9.8.11 @ 12:40AM

You assume that they are all indeed guilty. Your thoughts on those wrongly convicted with a pardon blown off by the machinery of the state? Better luck in the Kingdom of God perhaps?

Margie| 9.8.11 @ 12:55AM

I said if they are found guilty.
The death penalty isn't murder. The one who took the life of another is the murderer.

Kingofthenet| 9.8.11 @ 12:53AM

So I guess OJ WAS Innocent! If a jury said so it MUST be true!

Margie| 9.8.11 @ 12:58AM

You can play games all day long.. have fun.

Kingofthenet| 9.8.11 @ 1:02AM

All I know is that the Innocence Project has gotten ALOT of people free, some which were on Death Row. I also know one of these cases involves a White Women pointing at a black Guy, saying she SAW him and was raped by him, only problem? It wasn't him, but he spent like 20 years in jail. I guess you couldn't care less...

Simon Templar| 9.8.11 @ 1:28AM

Yeah, I know, we feel the same way about the 53 million innocent babies you put on death row in abortion clinics all over this nation. We would like to get them free to, free to live.

Yeah, I know you could care less.

Kingofthenet| 9.8.11 @ 2:04AM

I don't believe little balls of cells are PEOPLE

beebop| 9.8.11 @ 6:02AM

So when are they PEOPLE to you?

Teflon93| 9.8.11 @ 8:44AM

Some don't believe black people are people.

Whoops---there went your original argument, such as it was.

Mimi| 9.8.11 @ 9:21AM

king.....You....YES you were once that!!! IDIOT!!

W| 9.8.11 @ 11:02AM

King,
How about big balls of cells, like you, are they people?

Margie| 9.8.11 @ 5:31PM

LOL @ W. Good one.
KingoftheNet,
Of course I care. More than you know. Who wants to see anyone convicted of a crime they didn't commit. But I'm speaking to the system of laws that we have set up in this country.
It isn't perfect.. but it's the best we have. And that's also why we need to elect as many conservatives to office as possible~ in order to keep it that way. (As perfect as possible).
Everyone knows OJ is a murderer. Everyone knows why that jury let him off.
I believe the bum is sitting in prison right now.. and I hope he never gets out. But even if he does~ there's this place called Eternity.. I tremble when I imagine this man with his bloody hands appearing before His God, if he hasn't repented.

Kingofthenet| 9.8.11 @ 1:17AM

The Willingham case:

http://www.newyorker.com/repor.....ntPage=all

Simon Templar| 9.8.11 @ 1:31AM

Quin,

Simon Templar| 9.8.11 @ 1:32AM

I just do not know what to say to you.

Tim playfair| 9.8.11 @ 1:55AM

Hey Quinn, steady old boy. '12 good men and true' found them guilty and thus the law says they go to the gallows Perry is not about to make himself wiser than the law (let's leave that to that hope and change chap) merely that as Gov he enforces that law The lawmakers have any number of opportunities to change said law. But is not this the will of the people? I don't think we are dealing with the nice guys of our society here.
You are too good to have this emotive writing under your name. Time to chill out, come down here to Aust and have that game of golf we have been discussing.
cheers
tim

Mark J. Goluskin| 9.8.11 @ 2:24AM

I admit that I did not see the debate. But, if Gov. Perry was articulating that he supports the death penalty and sounded "cavalier", then at least I know where he stands. And I am more in his corner than not. Some of the comments touched on a case that I wrote about on my blog http://rightviewfromtheleftcoa.....alty.html. So, is Mr. Garcia a child of God?! I do not think so. See, this is the kind of people that should be put to death. If that makes me "bloodthirsty", then so be it. I look at Texas with envy. In California, we almost NEVER execute a prisoner. There are over 800 inmates o death row. And no chance that many will be executed soon. And many did just as horrible crimes as Mr. Garcia. I think Gov. Perry is correct to support the death penalty and make sure that they are carried out.

The True Believer| 9.8.11 @ 2:54AM

Mr. Hillyer; people who take the life of another human, destroying not only that life but the lives of their relatives and friends, do not deserve compassion. Watch a few 48 Hours real life TV episodes detailing the kinds of depraved murders that take place routinely in Texas and you'll understand the point of view. Take a life, give your life. Period.

Seek| 9.8.11 @ 11:41AM

It makes one wonder: What is it about Texas that seems to breed so many of these murderers? Why don't we have so many of them in, say, Oregon?

Kingofthenet| 9.8.11 @ 12:07PM

Texas is SWAMPED in guns. You rob somebody's house in NYC, you might find Jewels,c ash and Electronics, you rob even the poorest 'trailer' in Texas, you get an ARSENAL.

Rich D.| 9.8.11 @ 1:20PM

One does not rob houses; one burgles them. But hey, enough of the stupidity of NYC.

aware| 9.8.11 @ 6:18AM

Quin, there is hope for you, stay strong. Anyone who rejoices at killing is either sick or has never watched men die. Punish the guilty, yes. But rejoicing?

wodiej| 9.8.11 @ 6:46AM

I typically do not agree w Hilyer and have even taken offense at some of his articles. But I always stand for what is right and on this one, I agree. I believe that some people are so vicious and violent they should be subject to the death penalty. But to act with such lack of empathy is disturbing to say the least.

Kenny| 9.8.11 @ 7:03AM

Juice 'em.

Perry has it right.

Ken (Old Texican)| 9.8.11 @ 7:52AM

Ya know, folks,
a President must order men out to die on a daily basis. They are called soldiers.

A few years ago...the Canadians got bent out of shape and raised hell when W signed the execution order for a Canadian.
W simply replied: "If you don't want us executing Canadians, tell Canadians not to come down here and murder Texans."
Nuff said.

Joseph | 9.8.11 @ 8:04AM

Todd Cameron Willingham was the fellow executed after an arson trial that used disproved forensics to convict him. I am no liberal, but for Perry to say he does not care about the people he sends to death is the Kiss of Death from me for his candidacy. There have been too many times that DNA has shown that convicted and even executed people were innocent, especially in Texas.

TennesseeVolunteer| 9.8.11 @ 8:09AM

Could Perry shown some humility in the answer.....yes.
Is the state of Texas wrong to defend it's people? No!

Simon Templar| 9.8.11 @ 11:35AM

Just how do you display humility when you are being asked a very manipulative, loaded question about something which you should be very clear about in your thinking and position and the person asking the question is trying to paint you as not only wrong about your position on the matter but an unfeeling person. Of course, it is all about being a feeling person. What do you want?

He answered it without getting angry and did so with logic and detail.

Margie| 9.8.11 @ 5:34PM

Well said as usual, Simon.
This is getting ridiculous!

Casey Abell| 9.8.11 @ 8:35AM

Quin can go ballistic, bananas and bonkers with the best of them. Perry's answer on the death penalty was perfectly acceptable. His real trouble will come on Social Security, an issue that affects, oh, maybe a hundred milllion more people.

LarryK| 9.8.11 @ 8:37AM

Quinn,
Grow a pair!.
If you take a human life (not an accident but MURDER), you forfeit yours. Period.

Teflon93| 9.8.11 @ 8:42AM

That's a little much, Quin.

I'm a faithful Catholic and I have less problem with Perry's answer than you do. He noted that the reason he hasn't tossed and turned over the prospect of executing the innocent is his faith in Texas' legal process whereby the accused has a fair trial, an exhaustive series of appelate reviews, and has to have been convicted of particularly heinous crimes before being eligible for the death penalty. The Church casts this issue basically on the basis of whether or not the continued existence of the offender is itself a threat to the lives of others---most of the time it is not; in Saddam Hussein's case it probably was---but Perry's position isn't radically different on this score.

Bill Clinton executing a retarded boy to score political points for his presidential campaign is far more troubling. Perhaps you raised stronger concerns back in 1992 but I'd need to go to the tape for that.

Joseph| 9.8.11 @ 8:44AM

Casey, you're absolutely right! Executed innocent people do NOT vote! Their relatives are few in number. But PONZI scheme or not, I paid into Social Security for over 40 years like many others. So I see it as RETURN OF CAPITAL rather than as an entitlement. For it to be contemptuously dismissed rather than fixed - is reprehensible and arrogant.

Todd S| 9.8.11 @ 6:30PM

Do you not get the point about social security Joesph? What Rick Perry is getting at is that the system as it is now is set up for massive failure and us younger folks will never see a penny of what we paid into it. The system is set to collapse around 2025 or so with the massive deficits we face. There is no way it can continue without serious reform. But you really don't care about that as long as you get yours right?

The establishment of Washington would rather not deal with this unpleasant fact but Paul Ryan and Rick Perry refuse to keep quiet about the disaster we will face if nothing is done. Did Rick Perry say that social security should be completely discarded or reformed in a way that will actually work in the future? Pull your head out sir

Joseph| 9.11.11 @ 10:50AM

Todd, once again, I want the Return of My Capital. I don't care if the Establishment Weenies call it an Entitlement, or a form of insurance safety net for only the poorest, or an annuity payment for money paid in. The fact that the US Government has blithely used the funds as just another source of revenue is beside the point. For the Government to dismiss its obligations here would destroy an important contract. Therefore, the system must be fixed, not dismissed by a scurrilous politician. So you can now take your fat head out of your backside. POP!

Timothy L. Pennell| 9.8.11 @ 8:50AM

What's the problem? We're talking about KILLERS. MURDERERS. We're talking about VENGENCE for the Innocent Victims, who's lives were cut short by a piece of inhuman garbage.
How many CHILD MURDERERS are sitting in prison, getting 3 squares a day, and a cot, as their Victims ROT in the ground, and their Victim's Families lives are DESTROYED?
Some of you keep crying the blues: "Oh, what if there's a mistake?"
So, we shouldn't meet out the PUNISHMENT that they so richly deserve, because we MIGHT get it wrong, once?
I believe in the old saw, that states: "Kill'em all, and let GOD sort it out."
I wonder how some of you crybabies would be talking outta the other side of your Mouths, if it was YOUR KID, that was BRUTALIZED, and TORTURED TO DEATH, by one of these poor babies.
I'm talking to YOU, Hillyer! Obviously your DRESS is too tight. Or, is it your PANTIES?
YOU sicken ME.
Now, go home and put on the Lifetime Channel.
P*ssy.

sjccoach| 9.8.11 @ 9:31AM

Once again the CINO cries. Grow up Quinn

Derek Leaberry| 9.8.11 @ 9:39AM

Just knowing of the cases of Christian Choate of Indiana, tortured and murdered by his own father over a period of several years, and Ethan Stacy of Utah, murdered by his "mother's" boyfriend, assures me that the death penalty is just, moral and severely underutilized. If I governed my native state of Maryland, I would have monthly public hangings and as many as possible.

Totally Fed Up| 9.8.11 @ 11:06AM

Ask the families of the victims if they're all broken up over Perry's comments....

Malone Hardcastle| 9.8.11 @ 11:21AM

The were human beings who took another life without a second thought.Each was afforded multiple opportunities to prove their innocence you simpering twit.Perry was right, you are a wuss. Grow a pair , Quinny!

Simon Templar| 9.8.11 @ 11:28AM

Ok, now I do.

Back to reality.
The question was a classic and ridiculous gotcha loaded question, 'have you stopped beating your wife.' Apparently you can not see this, Quin.
You have heard this line of questioning before and logical fallacy?

He handled it brilliantly. He did not fall into the trap and turned the question around essentially. He answered it logically and straightforwardly without getting angry.

Just how in the hell do you expect someone to answer this question? Of course, he can not say he lays there wide awake, moaning and crying over a convicted murderer of henious crimes?

The question implied that he was an 'unfeeling monster' who wants to put innocent people to death before he even opened his mouth in response. They wanted a wobbly apology and an answer that would trap him in kissing their asses and accepting their narratives.
Come on folks..are we that stupid?

9thID| 9.8.11 @ 11:31AM

Romans 13 settled it for me a long time ago. BTW, Perry wasn't gloating over capital punishment, but the audience, as well as most conservatives, are fed up with the likes of CINO Quin's emotional outbursts and the lack of justice in our nation. Reform the appeals process, and make the death penalty mandatory in cases of murder, rape, and repeated felony drug convictions. Three strikes and you're out, completely out! Put deterrent back into our vocabulary and reinstitute the rule of law...

West Houston| 9.8.11 @ 11:38AM

Hilyer,
Some of the criminals over whose demise Perry did not agonize gang rapeds underage girls and sexually mutilated their corpses. These are not choir boys being executed daamn you!
Your obsequience toward murderers sickens me.

Wayne | 9.8.11 @ 11:56AM

Sorry Quinn but where is you outrage against Obama who targets Pakistani civilians with his DRONES. At least these convicts in Texas have been through a trial and appeal, what have these Pakistani's received.

Eric Rasmusen| 9.8.11 @ 12:01PM

Mr. Hillyer's comment shows how deeply liberalism has infected us all. Remember, not all people are children of God. He has chosen to forgive some, but not others. Those others are, if you follow orthodox Christianity of any denomination, going to Hell, which is far worse than the death penalty.
The justice system makes mistakes, to be sure, but I'm tired of people harping on the tiny number of mistaken death penalties and completely ignoring the large number of mistakes in other sentences. Death is not special. We all die.

Kingofthenet| 9.8.11 @ 12:11PM

All Perry had to say was that He was concerned and took his responsibilities as Governor very seriously, but that he didn't see any convincing evidence the condemned were innocent(It would be a lie, but at least respectable)

james wilson| 9.8.11 @ 12:33PM

Even the sainted Roosevelt didn't say any prayers for Germans killed in combat, or civilians in cities. All the attributes you find lacking in Perry are found in abundance in those politicians who would commute 234 sentences.

john duncan| 9.8.11 @ 12:48PM

I'm not sure whose water you are carrying, Quin. Your continued prissy, effete criticisms of Perry are showing bias. Perry is not in the position to say he worries about it as that opens the door for "murdering innocent people" claims. Frankly, the capital crime system in Texas is, today, perhaps the best in the country. The scope of capital crimes is extremely narrow. Jurors always have the option of a lesser penalty; and that, even if they find "no reasonable doubt" as to guilt. Many guilty of capital crimes do not receive the death penalty. None who do are innocent. Your arrogant, condescending criticism of Perry is insufferable. If you can't be objective with respect to someone other than your candidate of choice, just be honest and admit you are campaigning for them. No need for the histrionics and ginned up moral outrage. Pathetic.

Todd S| 9.8.11 @ 6:33PM

Quin is a Romney guy no doubt about it. Fine as far as that goes but he is resorting to smears against Perry to prop Romney up which I find disgusting. We all know Washington insiders and the Bush people prefer Romney but these people have already failed the party and need to step aside. Romney would make a fine Treasurer but a poor President.

Todd S| 9.8.11 @ 7:48PM

Actually he is a Newt guy I remember now, even worse.

Rich D.| 9.8.11 @ 1:05PM

Worth repeating - all are God's creatures, but not God's children. Some of those executed might even be God's children - we can't know their hearts before they died and whether they repented or not.

Teflon93| 9.8.11 @ 1:28PM

The blood of the innocent cries out to Christ, the most innocent executed man of them all. But let's not forget that this also applies to the victims of these murderers and rapists.

We should not be indifferent to their suffering, nor unwilling to provide them such justice in this world as we are capable of providing, particularly when doing so saves others from suffering at the hands of evil men.

For any innocents who are executed, we can only punish those who engaged in wrongdoing resulting in their execution, correct the errors of those who simply failed to do what they should have done, console their friends and families, make what reparations can be made, and know that a martyr's death at the hands of the state is often a swift path to God's eternal embrace.

Nick| 9.8.11 @ 7:16PM

Teflon93,

I agree with everything you wrote. But (monkey!), I believe that the several states, and the Federal government, would better serve society if their death penalty statutes required the biblical requirement that no one could be put to death without a confession, made freely and without coercion, or, upon the testimony of multiple witnesses.

Putting someone to death based on circumstantial evidence, no matter how good it is, is not justice, in my opinion.

I also agree with Blessed John Paul II, among others, who believe that the death penalty should be used rarely in well developed countries that can imprison criminals for life. The death penalty was always the last resort, in order to protect society.

Unlawful combatants should be executed. So should anyone who remains a danger while imprisoned, like those who kill in jail. And, anyone who kills a police officer.

Well, that's my two cents, anyway.

Teflon93| 9.9.11 @ 8:16AM

In practice, isn't that how the death penalty cases are adjudicated? How many defendants who maintain their innocence when faced with a single witness---or no witness at all---wind up on death row?

Murder is usually committed to prohibit witnesses and rarely committed in public. It is the nature of the act.

You'll note there were no witnesses when Cain slew Abel, for example, but that the circumstantial evidence was very compelling.

Nick| 9.9.11 @ 7:32PM

Teflon93,

I can't answer your questions because I'm not an expert on this subject. Anecdotally, I have seen plenty of 20/20s and Datelines over the years to know that more than a few have been sentenced to death on nothing but circumstantial evidence. Some of these shows were about the Innocence Project, which has proven for a fact that far too many were on death row who where innocent.

You know me, I'm no liberal. But, the only thing worse than a guilty man going free is an innocent man serving time for a crime he didn't commit, or, worse, being put to death. And, it means the guilty party is walking around free. Also, I'm not trying to claim that this is common occurrence, as liberal like to assert. But, it's not impossible.

I just believe that God's command, to have multiple witnesses, far lessens the chance that an innocent will be executed. And, this does not mean that I think people cannot be sentenced to life in prison with only circumstantial evidence, they can. I believe only the death penalty should require "two of three witnesses."

This is why the U.S. Constitution requires the "Tesitmony of two Witnesses" to be convicted of treason.

Michigan abolished the death penalty not long after it became a state because an innocent man was executed. I don't think the citizens of Michigan suffered from less justice than the other states, all of these years. Life in prison is also cheaper than fighting death penalty cases.

Finally, God protected Cain from being put to death, remember?
God Bless!

Rich D| 9.12.11 @ 4:03PM

Almost all convictions are based on circumstantial evidence.

Arimathean| 9.8.11 @ 1:41PM

Perhaps, as Quin speculates, Perry is not a morally serious person.

But consider another possibility: He was just saying what he thought his audience wanted to hear - and he was apparently right. In short, he is just another politician who will say or do whatever he thinks will get him elected. Not much different from Romney or Obama in this respect.

Rich D.| 9.8.11 @ 1:57PM

Apparently you either did not listern to a replay of Perry's response, or, like Quin, heard what you wanted to hear. Quin's reponse is a gross distortion of Perry's measure and excellent response, and he (and you) should be ahamed.

mzk1| 9.8.11 @ 2:19PM

I did not hear the debate, but I would have reacted as did Perry. All of our problems with the death penalty stem from the Supreme Court ruling that only "aggravated murder", whatever that is, get it.

Murder is murder. Every single murderer, given sufficient evidence, should get the death penaly, except for a very few extreme exceptions. Then we wouldn't have all of these studies and hand-wringing and charges of racism. To have the governer agonize over every murder verdict (unless there is an evidence issue) like some god, is immoral.

crookedwren| 9.8.11 @ 2:40PM

Good job, MSNBC & Politico & Hillyer. You've all managed to stir the waters in a weird direction.

I have my own response to this.

Politico & MSNBC wanted some fodder to wound Perry. They got it.

I hope the other candidates get on the train with Newt. Don't let them derail us.

(As far as the argument here, yes, the legal system -- which is what our justice system has devolved into -- is flawed and fallible. So are Governors.

People on Death Row have appellate courts to help them out.

But terrible errors may well have occurred.

Governors have to comply with the law.

Perry knew what Politico & MSNBC were up to. He was probably trying to stay strong and not get into specifics. I suspect he was trying to sound strong.

Perry's not my first choice -- my first choice is doesn't want to run (which I think is one of the indicators that he SHOULD) -- but the POTUS is not likely to be making decisions re: Death Row pardons. Governors are. Am I wrong?

I have other concerns with Perry.

NotPropagandized| 9.8.11 @ 3:52PM

I feel your pain. The severity of the exchange reflects the moral depravity and lack of backbone of the left's chaotic culture wish including being soft on criminality and especially in connection with the most ghoulish, merciless, evil act of murderers. The people ARE in fact fed up with the "progressive" position on so many issues that thoroughly pollute our culture and daily life experience. Perry's dispassion is not for the wasted life of one of God's wayward human creatures, but the complete depravity of liberals in the realm of justice for The People.

Margie| 9.8.11 @ 5:42PM

Excellent comment!

Bobolinski| 9.10.11 @ 8:37AM

Don't know this Rod guy, but I'm betting he's pro-choice.

Did it ever occur to you Rod that they weren't cheering for capital punishment? They were cheering Rick Perry for standing up to a gotcha question from a liberal moderator who is trying to get fodder for Obama's campaign.

Capital punishment is a non-starter issue in 2012. Tune in for the Tea Party debate to hear about the issues that'll matter in 2012. Well, at least when Blitzer isn't asking the questions.

Mrs. Ernestine McGibbons| 9.10.11 @ 12:55PM

Quin's effeminate prissiness is downright unbearable. In my father's day, a man wasn't a man until he'd been to a public hanging and seen the light leave the criminal's eyes. That'll put hair on your chest!

Pretty boys like Quin and his butt buddy Brian Williams should be forced to watch an electrocution with their eyelids taped open! LOL!

yisong| 10.27.11 @ 2:32AM

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