Novel Clemency Plea

Published on January 10, 2006 By Dr Guy In Current Events

Arnold Schwarzenegger has another clemency plea on his Desk. But unlike Tookie Williams, this one is not claiming reformation, just incontinence! It seems that Clarence Allen does not want to be put to death - why? Because he is dying! Of old age!

The man was sentenced 24 years ago to death for killing a snitch and arranging the death of 3 witnesses. And as with all death sentences, the appeals march on. But Allen is 77, and is in very poor health. So he wants God to take him not man.

I have heard all kinds of please for clemency before, but this is a first one for me (although they do note that another similar plea was made several years ago in Alabama).

So what do you think? Should he be put to death? Or allowed to die? It is clear from statements of Prison officials that he is no threat to anyone (except the hospital ward bed pan orderlies).

Die of old age? Or lethal injection?

Comments (Page 1)

Dr Guy

on Jan 10, 2006

Only 12 killers have been executed since California reinstated the death penalty in 1977, but 48 others died before appeals ran their course. Thirty-one died from what the state Department of Corrections calls “natural causes.” Suicide claimed 12, and “other” causes such as drug overdoses claimed five.

I found this very interesting. Apparently as many die from the executioner as that cannot stand to wait and commit suicide. But even more telling is that 31 died of old age (basically) before they could be executed! So there is a precedent for Allen's plea I guess.

Manopeace

on Jan 10, 2006

Doc... neither your thread nor the link mentioned whether or not this man is Black or White. How can we, in all honesty, answer your question without knowing such a pertinent fact?

Dr Guy

on Jan 10, 2006

Doc... neither your thread nor the link mentioned whether or not this man is Black or White. How can we, in all honesty, answer your question without knowing such a pertinent fact?

Because he is going to die whether he is white of black, one way or the other.

Manopeace

on Jan 10, 2006

Because he is going to die whether he is white of black

so you are saying that his race isn't revalent to the issue? how can we have a true picture of the situation if we do not know all the details?
I'm confused.... acording to some, this is vital information, to others it does not matter.

HC1240

on Jan 10, 2006

I don't see what difference his race makes. I'm not sure why he's even petitioning for clemency. It seems to me, that if he's going to die anyway... why should he care?

He says he's too old and too sick to be put to death.[/quote}
Am I the only one that sees the irony in this? Maybe not irony... maybe it's contradiction... no, that's not right either. What's the word I'm looking for?

“He's been reduced to an incapacitated old man, near death already,” says Michael Satris, Allen's chief appeals lawyer. “To put him to death on top of that is beyond the borders of civilized behavior."

Now THIS seems ironic to me. If he were in a hospital bed, rather than in a jail cell... there would be advocacy groups and lobbyists crowding his room, crowing about "quality of life" and "the right to die." Talk about extremes.

I say, if he's guilty... and the sentence is death, he should die. I'm not sure how his age or failing health complicates the issue.

HC1240

on Jan 10, 2006

Ok... I don't know why it won't break that quote up.

Hope you can decipher the code

Dr Guy

on Jan 10, 2006

It seems to me, that if he's going to die anyway... why should he care?

That is kind of what I think. I guess he has a different idea tho.

Dr Guy

on Jan 10, 2006

I'm confused.... acording to some, this is vital information, to others it does not matter.

Has it ever on this blog?

Dr Guy

on Jan 10, 2006

Ironic isn't it? They clamor to kill a woman unable to speak for herself, yet guilty of nothing, and here? Dead silence.

Manopeace

on Jan 10, 2006

Has it ever on this blog?

no it has not!

cmorton

on Jan 11, 2006

I would like to say that there are many of different and unique jobs in the world, but being an executioner is one job
Ithat I wouldn't want .How could you sleep at night? Besides, no one has the right to end anyones life, regardless what color they are.

If the same law applieds to Tookie Williams, then it should apply to all inmates who are sentenced to be executed.
This is where the contorversy comes in. There was no mercy granted to Tookie Williams to have his life spared, so what applies to one should apply to all. If we are going to "Split Hairs' on who should be granted clemency and who shouldn't, where is it all going to end up?
From abortion, to removing patients off life support! I feel that no one has the right to play God.

Dr Guy

on Jan 11, 2006

There was no mercy granted to Tookie Williams to have his life spared, so what applies to one should apply to all. If we are going to "Split Hairs' on who should be granted clemency and who shouldn't, where is it all going to end up?

I think the arguement here is extenuating circumstances. Clemency has been granted around the country, but usually for extenuating circumstances. In some cases, the convict is not mentally capable to understand (Low IQ). In another, the evidence that could have confirmed or exonerated the convict was destroyed. But even in the most liberal (i.e. they dont like the death Penalty) states, it is rare that anyone gets clemency once the courts have ruled. In this case, this plea has been tried once before, and did not work.

But I am with you. I could not be the guy who pulls the switch!

cactoblasta

on Jan 11, 2006

I don't see why mere old age should be enough to avoid punishment. If that was so we'd see a lot more nanas robbing banks, and then where would we be? No, he needs to be punished. But perhaps the wheels of justice should turn just a little more quickly in this case.

Dr Guy

on Jan 11, 2006

But perhaps the wheels of justice should turn just a little more quickly in this case.

If they dont, he will beat the rap by dying on them!

cactoblasta

on Jan 11, 2006

If they dont, he will beat the rap by dying on them!

Another problem with the death penalty - it's possible to avoid it just by dying of your own accord! I knew there was another reason I favoured life imprisonment...

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