> Horse stealing should be a crime governed by state laws, but the legal
> procedures associated with a capitol offense should be uniform. The same
> rights to council, the same procedures for appeals (or at least the same
> general guidelines). Even if you believe that capitol punishment is
> morally
> and legally justifiable it seems to me that you must accept that it is an
> extreme measure, and it must be made as fool proof as possible. This it
> would
> seem to me is the place where the federal government should step in.
<Rubbing hands together> Fell right into my trap. No, actually I
just thought of this when I read it. Today it would be wrong but back then
you were caught with a stolen horse, you were hung on the spot. No judge, no
jury. At least that's how, Lonesome Dove author, put it and that wouldn't
happen in NY, not because they were more civilized but because a horse
wasn't worth as much there.
You want a national standard for a local issue. Right to council,
isn't that a given already? Procedures for appeal? One state gives ten
avenues for appeal and another only eight, that's a moral outrage? Here's a
411 for criminals: Stop committing crimes!
Kevin
