Reflections on the Troy Davis stay of execution
I found it interesting that, following announcement of the stay of execution, a newspaper story reported that some family members of the victim were livid. They vowed to be there when the execution is rescheduled, so that they could witness the death of Mr. Davis. They obviously believe that watching the murder of a human being will bring some closure to the tragedy they experienced.
Not so, claims Dr. Dan Rooks, Holland psychologist who chairs our board of directors. Professionals agree that, to the contrary, viewing an execution can cause additional emotional problems.
Sister Helen Prejean, author of DEAD MAN WALKING, responds to the argument this way: “Well, if that is true, then are we cheating the families of the victims of the 98 percent of all murderers who are never executed out of their closure and retribution?”
I do not speak from inexperience. I witnessed the execution of a friend/client in 2006. Texas Professor Rick Halperin, outspoken opponent of the death penalty, warned that my life would never be the same. He was right.
A footnote: I am honored to have been invited to an intimate luncheon with Sister Prejean THIS AFTERNOON, prior to her public appearance at Ferris State University!
Not so, claims Dr. Dan Rooks, Holland psychologist who chairs our board of directors. Professionals agree that, to the contrary, viewing an execution can cause additional emotional problems.
Sister Helen Prejean, author of DEAD MAN WALKING, responds to the argument this way: “Well, if that is true, then are we cheating the families of the victims of the 98 percent of all murderers who are never executed out of their closure and retribution?”
I do not speak from inexperience. I witnessed the execution of a friend/client in 2006. Texas Professor Rick Halperin, outspoken opponent of the death penalty, warned that my life would never be the same. He was right.
A footnote: I am honored to have been invited to an intimate luncheon with Sister Prejean THIS AFTERNOON, prior to her public appearance at Ferris State University!
Comments
Closure to what?
I know of no victim survivor who believes that the execution of the guilty murderer(s) brings closure to the emotional and/or psychological suffering of that victim survivor for the loss of their innocent, murdered loved one(s). How could it?
I have never encountered such a person, in the many years I have been involved with murder victim survivors. Has anyone?
There are many victims survivors who claim they did find closure with the execution, although without important clarification.
Further inquiry would reveal the obvious: it is closure the the legal process, whereby execution is the most just sanction available for the crime and they are relieved that the murderer is dead and can no longer harm another innocent - a very big deal.
Those are the real meanings of any closure expression.
Murder victim "Mary Bounds' daughter, Jena Watson, who watched the execution, said Berry's action deprived the family of a mother, a grandmother and a friend, and that pain will never go away."
"We feel that we have received justice," she said Wednesday after the execution. "There's never an end to the hurt from a violent crime. There can never fully be closure. You have to learn to do the best you can. Tonight brings finality to a lot of emotional issues." "
Ina Prechtl, who lost her daughter Felecia Prechtl. to a rape /murder said, after watching Karl Chamberlain executed: "One question I ask myself every day, why does it take so long for justice to be served?" It took 17 years for the execution. ("Texas executes 1st inmate since injection lull", Jun 11, 2008, MICHAEL GRACZYK, Associated Press Writer, HUNTSVILLE, Texas)