Exonerated death row inmate: Clinton wrong on death penalty

[Cheese Sandwich]

By Ricky Jackson

At the CNN Town Hall meeting between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders last night, I had the privilege of asking Clinton how she could still support the death penalty in light of all the innocent people in this county in recent years who have been wrongfully convicted and sent to death row.

I said last night that I was "satisfied" with Clinton's answer, but that does not mean I agree with her. While I respect her opinion and her honesty, I completely disagree with her position on the death penalty.
...

When I asked Clinton why she still supports the death penalty, she said she supported it only for the worst of the worst: those who committed acts of mass killing or terrorism. I cannot accept that.

In cases such as those, the societal pressure to convict is at its highest. And when an intense pressure to convict is present, that is when the risk of convicting an innocent is greatest.

The death penalty is also not a deterrent in terrorism cases. In fact, death can serve the purpose of many terrorists who wish to become "martyrs" for their cause.
...

The fact that Clinton continues to hang on to this antiquated relic confuses me. She touts "criminal justice reform" -- and much reform is needed -- but she misses one of the lowest hanging pieces of fruit.

I said last night that I am an "undecided" voter. I hope that Clinton reconsiders her position on capital punishment before I do what I have been waiting my entire life to do: cast my first presidential vote as a free and vindicated man.

more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/14/opinions/clinton-wrong-death-penalty-ricky-jackson/

[Kall]

1. This horribly mistreated man put my thoughts into words.

[GeorgiaPeanuts]

7. Agreed except...

There is already a candidate who is 100% opposed to the death penalty so why is he still undecided.

[Cheese Sandwich]

12. Maybe he just doesn't want to say because people will turn him into a campaign meme

Maybe he doesn't want to be used like that.

[HassleCat]

2. He's right. of course.

As long as the death penalty exists, some states will be eager to use it, and will push for execution verdicts. In right wing land, it's nice for a prosecutor to brag about the number of criminals executed.

[agracie]

3. The look on his face says it all.

[grasswire]

4. I am so touched by his comments.

I hope everyone reads the whole statement.

[FlatBaroque]

6. me too. He has a deep insight, and should be heard and heeded.

[grasswire]

9. this

"Furthermore, I learned from my time on death row that even the guilty are worthy of salvation.

As an innocent and scared 18-year-old boy sent to death row, it was only the kindness and humanity of death row's guilty, who took me under their collective wing, that kept my sanity and maintained my faith in humanity. These inmates made horrible mistakes, and deserved to be punished, but they are not the animals our criminal justice makes them out to be.

A society should not be judged on how it treats its best, but rather on how it treats is lowest. And even the lowest are capable of incredible acts of humanity and are worthy of decency. They are worthy of God's grace, just as they bestowed grace upon me."

[Cheese Sandwich]

15. Yes.

We need to be listening to this man.

[beam me up scottie]

5. Powerful statement.

I'll bet he doesn't take a single day, not even an hour for granted after the horror he lived for so many years.

[Cheese Sandwich]

14. It's horrible even to think about what he's been through.

Yeah we need major changes to the whole court and prison system

This is one of many ways the thing is killing us.

[silenttigersong]

8. Thought about this

Having our Gov spy on us would mean they could take out dissenters,so Clinton has this ass backwards.We must have all our rights restored first.But Hillary Loves the deep state apparently.

[dogman]

10. And she says she is against systemic racism.

While ignoring this man's plea.

[Cheese Sandwich]

13. Death penalty is racist. Hillary's waffling just gives cover to people who defend it.

[panader0]

11. Kick for Mr. Jackson.