I am totally in support of the death penalty, but I have often asked myself if I would actually be able to pull the switch. I can honestly say that "Yes, I could pull the switch" with whoever murdered this baby in such a horrible, painful manner. With that said, however..... this case is also the reason that I give defense attorneys a shred of respect. From the article
http://www.thenewsherald.com/stories/120207/loc_20071202003.shtml
I have to say that there is reasonable doubt. This guy is a total scum bag, but then the entire family appears to have baggage. Some of the sticking points for me are these: (bold and italic emphasis added by me) -
"Green
(the Grandmother) and her husband were home at the time officers believe the infant was assaulted. Green said they were sleeping until being awakened by
loud music being played by her son and his girlfriend."
Does this mean Mom was awake during the assault? This statement in the article:
"During the commute from Lincoln Park to Wyandotte, Richardson allegedly slapped his girlfriend across her face, grabbed her by her hair and
threatened her should the baby die."
...this also demands explanation. What if SHE decided she didn't want the child, and decided a great way to get rid of the child was to frame him, was to "violate" the child with the curling iron? Why would HE rape the child with a curling iron? The article indicates he was drunk (and probably high IMO) that morning. Did they get into an argument and she became furious at him? This case demands a LOT of answers from forensics experts. Statistically speaking, it is obvious what has happened. Realistically speaking, I need to see more evidence before I am comfortable "pulling the switch." Am I crazy? I am normally right on-board with all of the rest of you guys, but my hinky meter is alarming right now with this case. :waitasec: