Drug Smugglers executed in Indonesia

[Shootgun]

What's the SD massive opinion on this? Should they have been executed?

Indonesia executions: Australia recalls ambassador - BBC News

 

[enfieldspares]

My faith in the value of capital punishment and deterrent was long ago undermined.

By my belief that there are, still, bent coppers who will fit up suspects, judges that are biased, juries that can be perverse (too easily persuaded by glib tongued lawyers or just because of inept defence counsel not presenting them with facts vital to the case).

And a biased press presenting only the lurid facts best calculated to sell copy rather than serve the best values of balance journalism.

That is my input. Why?

As a student at Leeds University 1976-1979 I saw it all...sat in the public gallery as a spectator...with friends who were law students as Stefan Kiszko was victim of all the above at his trial for the murder of Lesley Moleseed.

The "fair trial" we were witnessing? Google his name.

 

[Kalahari]

I remember that case well. Even after the facts came out the police concerned lived in well cushioned retirement. One of those cases that destroys your faith in the police.

David.

 

[1967spud.com]

Drugs are bad news any where and im guessing the knew the consequences.

if it was an immigrent over here who did a crime (not particualy smuggling) for arguments sake we would be saying he should take the penalty as we would in this country

 

[finnbear270]

Attention could be drawn to the case of Derek Bentley, with regards to death penalty? When he was supposed to have uttered "Let him have it", did he mean to give the officer the weapon .. or the bullet?

The drug smugglers may or may not have been unwilling or unknowing mules?

 

[bewsher500]

Strikes me that the two Aussies were well known and long term traffickers rather than one off mules in for a quick buck.
I am not defending crooked cops and by nature of the location that is a given I am afraid but you don't get banged up as a ringleader of a gang of 9 traffickers on a technicality

I am sorry but whether you disagree with the death penalty or not, Indonesia has a very clear policy on this and when travelling through Indonesia/Malaysia and the rest of Asia 96-99 as a backpacker (prime target) my bag never left my sight. I checked it constantly and had ties on all zips.

I value my life and don't trust those in power in Asian governments and Police forces to look after it

 

[Shadrach2986]

I think the death penalty to be a good thing, as spud said, they probably new the consequences before doing it, and as the old saying goes, play with fire you will eventually get burnt. but that said, you still have to be sure that they are guilty and not fitted up! i believe we are to soft in this country and could learn from other country's like Indonesia and Thailand. It would make a lot of people think twice before they go do something.

 

[geordieh]

One thing is certain they will not reoffend

 

[Heym SR20]

I really cannot agree with the death penalty as I do not think that the state should ever have the right to take another mans life. Yes prison for offenders - there needs to be a deterrent, but I am sorry I cannot support judicial executions and farce of all the appeals etc.

i am not comfortable with heavily armed police and the increasing deployment of Swat teams etc. yes there are occasions when lethal force has to be used to prevent loss of innocent life, but this should be a last resort rather than a standard tactic.

 

[Woodsmoke]

I have no sympathy for them whatsoever. Illegal drugs are a foul scourge on ALL societies, and those who peddle them are only a step removed from the dealers themselves, in my opinion. I wonder how many lives are actually going to be saved by the deaths of these criminals? It's just a disgrace that they'll be so easily replaced by other greedy and immoral fools after a fast buck, while those responsible for perpetuating the trade at the very top are largely beyond reach

 

[tackb]

If I speed in my car and get caught I receive points , a fine or possible ban , I know this yet I used to speed. if the penalty was death by firing squad I think I might not speed.

these people are drug traffickers , they knew the penalty yet they still did it ? they knew they weren't going to get points or a fine!

a poor analogy but makes the point in very broad simple terms I think?

 

[Mauser243]

As the old saying goes if you fly with the crows you get shot with the crows. Most of drug smuggling/trafficking people know what they are getting in to and also will know that these type of countries have zero tolerance.

 

[Taff]

Indonesia has had the death penalty for drug smuggling for years, so they new the risks.

 

[RED-DOT]

Maybe they were abused as children? That old chesnut works over here...

 

[Cumbrian 1]

Maybe we should start a "Best Calibre " thread......

 

[bobjs]

I am all for the death penalty when and if the persons are found as such,

In the case of drug smuggling then you know the rules,

And in the event of being proved guilty buy the use or modern technology that proves it with no doubts no ifs or buts,

Then you should face the penalty of you take a life you loose your life, and once the decision is made it should be carries out sooner rather than later, after all why should the hard working tax paying people of this world pay for you to sit in a nice warm room with a tv games consol hot water free clothing shoes etc etc,

I remember reading some time back that it costs over £65,000 a year including court costs etc to keep 1 person in prison in the uk,

Thats more than I earn in 2 years,

Just my feelings on the matter, not after a fight, but I'd pull the switch and still sleep at night,

Bob.

 

[User00025]

They knew the score so tough!!
In this country we are too soft,I would reintroduce the death penalty for:-

Premeditated horrific murder.
Drug dealing.
Terrorist activity.
Proven child abuse.

For the last one I would be perfectly happy to pull the lever or the trigger personally and would go home a happy man knowing there was one less of these creatures to offend again.

 

[Roncon1]

I 100% agree with you on the above BUT how many times has PROVEN been later UNPROVEN and there in lies the major issue......

 

[palmer_mike]

I 100% agree with you on the above BUT how many times has PROVEN been later UNPROVEN and there in lies the major issue......

A few too many for me to ever be comfortable with such a sentence.
even in America (usually thought of as a relatively civilised country) there have been documented cases of innocent convicts being executed and later being found to be innocent

it is reckoned that 4% of convicts on death row in America are actually innocent. I for one can never be comfortable with this fact and as such will never accept that the death penalty is justified.

Texas 'executed an innocent man', report claims - BBC News

US death row study: 4% of defendants sentenced to die are innocent | World news | The Guardian

maybe some of the vehement supporters of the death penalty on this thread should take the time to have a cup,of tea, read the links I have posted and think about the implications of having the death penalty. It sometimes easy to forget the fact that it's real people we are talking about.....

 

[Kalahari]

Maybe all the people who are so keen to apply for the job as executioner might think again if part of the job description was "if you execute someone who is innocent your life is forfeit" that might make them think.

David.