I was always totally opposed to the death penalty, but some years ago my position changed. I realized that there were some people (not many, but some) whose actions render them unworthy to continue to live in our society.


People like Richard Allen Davis, Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacey, etc.

I agree that the death penalty should be applied sparingly, and only when there is certainty of guilt, however I'd consider that the bodies of victims buried in the accused's home, or his DNA found on the victim, when linked with other evidence, is as good as an eyewitness.

I often feel conflicted about it, as you do, because I think it's wrong to take human life, but when I think about the crimes these people have committed, the horror and tragedy they bring to the innocent families of their victims, and the brutality of their acts, my thought is "just get them out of here."

Are you suggesting Reyes could not get a fair trial in the United States?


Indeed, which is why O.J. Simpson has vowed to spend the rest of his life searching for the REAL murderer(s) of Nicolle Simpson and Ron White...

...on every golf course in Florida.


I believe that has been the custom in the past.


Sounds logical. I can certainly agree with that.


I would guess we do as a matter of course. A better question, in my mind, would be do we extradite American citizens who are accused of serious crimes in Mexico? That I don't know, and am too lazy to google. Someone else take over, here.

Ron Goldman, just to set the record straight. Ron White is the comedian with the cigar.

And it may be possible that the real killers are golfers. Who knows?

The extradition treaty between the US and Mexico, signed by Jimmy Carter in 1978, to take effect in 1980, states:

Neither side is bound to deliver up its nationals, however if extradition is denied based on nationality, the request for extradition is automatically converted into a foreign prosecution pursuant to Article IV of the Mexican Federal Penal Code (hereinafter, “Article IV”). Although by law, the Mexican authorities are authorized to extradite their nationals in “exceptional circumstances”, in practice they most often do not.

This has always been my concern in regards to capital punishment, i.e. certainty of guilt over and beyond a reasonable doubt, assuming the Criminal Justice System is functioning correctly. Even if someone is an habitual offender, I don't feel it'd be right to execute them other than based on the offense for which they were considered for the death penalty. Otherwise, I'd say our penal code needs to be very carefully revamped, and that strict adherence be paid to it.

I can't even vaguely imagine the angst of anyone who's been wrongly accused, even if they had other legal history, let alone someone who hadn't. I used to be dead set against capital punishment, because I didn't feel killing was right for any reason. However, I too have changed my mind a bit and now my reason for doubt is only because of perceived serious flaws in the mechanics of our system. I know there are folks who have rightfully been sentenced to execution, but as a citizen of this country, I would want to know that all avenues of investigation have been exhausted. If I were wrongly accused, I sure as hell would want those safties in place.

Alleged? There is video tape of this man dragging her body and putting her on fire; there is video tape of her talking with him at the convenience store; video tape of his buying gasoline. Please...he deserves just what he gave Melanie and worse. I never beleived in the death penalty before but I must say when there is enough evidence AND two people in HIS life have testified that it was him in the videos and that he said he had done it, it should be done! Then he runs back home to Mexico and now he can't be given the death penalty. Where is the justice for Melanie? For her family? For her friends? All these lives have been changed and will never be the same due to this animal's actions.

Having known Melanie, I would think that she would not be in favor of the death penalty based on her beliefs.

To the second Anonymous...its not really important what Melanie would have wanted for Reyes. If its about what Melanie would have wanted or not wanted then it becomes about revenge or forgiveness and not about justice. Reyes violated the most basic of laws both in legal terms in in social terms. He demonstrated his unworthiness to live among us as a human being and as such demonstrated he needed to be removed from our society. Even in prison he would have been a part of that society and as such the only real removal involved executing him. Again, good riddance to bad rubbish.