During three weeks in October 2002, Muhammad and accomplice Lee Boyd Malvo, then 17, killed 10 people and wounded three, while taunting police with written messages and phoned-in threats and demands. Washington-area sniper John Allen Muhammad was executed Tuesday by lethal injection. The mastermind behind the Washington-area sniper attacks of 2002 that terrorized the nation's capital was declared dead at 9:11 p.m. Muhammad died very peacefully, much more than most of his victims.
Among the witnesses were about a dozen members of the prosecution task force. Bob Meyers, whose 53-year-old brother Dean was shot dead while pumping gas in Virginia, called Tuesday's spectacle "surreal." "Watching the life be sapped out of somebody intentionally was very different and an experience I'd never had." "I'd watched my mother die of natural causes, but that was very different." He said he may have attained some closure, "but I would say that pretty much was overcome just by the sadness that the whole situation generates in my heart. That he would get to the place where he did what he did, and that it had to come to this." Meyers said he has forgiven Muhammad for two reasons: "One is that God calls for me to do that in the Bible, and the second thing is related to that. If I don't, it rots me from the inside out. It doesn't really hurt John Muhammad or anybody that I have bitterness against."
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How do you feel about the death penalty? Do you think Muhammad deserved to die? Would your reaction to Muhammad's execution be similar or different from Bob Meyers' described above? How so?
37 comments:
I feel anger towards the death penalty. They are killing him because he killed those ten people. It is still wrong to kill him for what he did. I do not think Muhammad deserved to die because it's like they are choosing his death for him. It shouldn't be like that. My reaction would be similar from Bob Meyers' description because I'm a follower of God and it seems wrong to me that they took the life from Muhammad because of his actions.
Samantha =]
I feel that the death penalty can be either be a good or a bad thing. In Muhammad's situation, I think he did deserve to die. There is no reason for him to kill ten random people. Muhammad's execution was no where near as bad as how Meyer died. I feel that Muhammad should have been punished much harder than what he was. It's very sad for the families that had to suffer from what Muhammad did.
-Taylor Gay :)
I think that I agree with the death penalty, only for certain crimes that are committed. Personally I do think that Muhammad deserved the death penalty. In my opinion for serious crimes like this one, people should receive the death penalty. I think this because they may be a harm or danger to society. I do think that I could have forgiven Muhammad, but I know I would never forget it. Even though my brother and I argue a lot, he is still like my best friend. For that reason I think I would hate the murderer.
-Muhammad R.
I think that the death penalty should be used. The death penalty is too nice because someone that tortured and killed people shouldn't get to die in a painless manner. They should have go through the same thing their victims went through. I think that people who kill others, should die the way they murdered their victim. Muhammad deserved to die for his crimes.
--Brittany Oliver :)
I think that the death penalty should never be taken out of place. Frankly I think that the death penalty is way to soft. I believe that if a murderer had intentionally killed someone that they should be killed the same way. The death penalty should never be taken away because the murder rate and violence will increase. They should set a strong law about that and set the example so little to no murder ever really happens.
My opinion on the death penalty is this. I think the death penalty is a good thing. My Mom and I belive in equal treatment. We think that you should die the way you murdered somebody. For killing over 10 people, I do think Muhammad deserved to die. I would have just stood there, watching over the execution. I wouldn't have done anything to stop it.
Parker Little
I agree with giving people the death penalty. I do believe Muhammad deserved to die. The people he killed where brothers, sisters, and parents to others. It was said that Muhammad had mental problems. The death penalty has so many pro's and con's. Many people have different views on this subject.
-Bryce L.
I do not understanding why would Muhammad's want to kill them people for what they did'nt do anything wrong to him so why would he do that for that was just wrong for him to do that for what what did the people do to him he could been mad with his exwife for something she did or something else.But I do feel sorry for his children that they don't have a Father anymore so I feel very sorry for them and his son and his mother too so I feel sorry for the family too. brittany eley
I think that what Muhammad did is terrible. I don't know how anyone could just go around and kill random people. In some ways I agree with the death penalty, and in some ways I don't. I think that giving someone the death penalty doesn't punish them enough. I think that they should have to live life in jail or something instead of just being able to be killed peacefully.
-Jessica :)
I'm torn to the idea of the death penalty, There are many different view I have with why, who, for what, and other circumstances regarding to their life taken away or staying in a box for the rest of there life. In some cases death is an easy way out. Muhammad randomly killed 10 people for what ever reason. Me being me, or the mood I am in right now wouldn't want someone to take away another persons life for anything they have done. Having a loved one die for any reason would be hard. I tend to handle death a little more nonchalant then others. But if he had killed one of the ones I love, I’m not sure how I would feel unless I’m in that position.
Austin
I personally don't like the death penalty because no one deserves to die but they do need to be punished for it. I really don't think he deserve to die because that was the easy out and other people still have to suffer. I would be in shocked because they are committing murder and no one sees it like that they see it as a punishment and I would want him to suffer in jail not dying. I really can't say what I think because I just don't like it at all.
~Gigi~
The death penalty I feel is need in some areas. Yes, because he killed incent people fro no reason. My reaction would have been the same. I would have had to forgive him for myself to help move on with the situation. Having that forgives wouldn’t make me hate him because hat is very strong.-Alia H.
I feel that the death penalty was wrong in some areas, but I think that it was right in some cases. I think that he deservers to die because he killed a lot of people. He also deserves to get a second chance. People make mistakes in life and we all deserve a second chance. My reaction to the Muhammad’s execution would be similar because I believe what he said was true; if it was me I would do say the same thing.
Quatesha
Honestly I am confused by the death plenty. I don’t understand how the court determines whether a person should be executed. There are people that murder others every day and they don’t get executed. What is the line between the two? Well, everyday people such as myself make mistakes even though they are not as severe as murdering ten people for no reason. My reaction with Bob Meyer is kind of similar because I do believe in forgiveness. It does not matter what was done the person should be forgiven. Even though sometimes its hard and it takes toil on the person but it I believe that people should be forgiven.
Sherrell A
I think that the death penalty is okay to a certain point. If you kill a massive amount of people then I think you should get the death penalty but if You kill like one or two I dom't think that you should get the death penalty I think that you should send the rest of your life in PRISON !!!. I think that Muhammad did deserve to die; because he killed 10 random people .Similar.
R.I.P. Muhammad . May God Be With YOU
Schatese Cherry-Collins
I'm on the fence with the death penalty. I do think that Muhammad should have died because there is no excuse for killing ten random people. I think that the death penalty can serve a good purpose because if we didn't have any punishment for murder then people would think it's ok. I agree with what Bob Myers' said. One of the hardest things to do is to forgive someone but if you don't then it will rot you from the inside out.
Mallory
I think the death penalty is okay as long as the person recieveing it is serving a life sentence, which I think is what they do. I think Muhammad deserved to die only if he was sentenced life in prison. It would be sad to watch something like that even though it was the person who killed your brother, but I think I would have forgave him too. It is important to forgive others and it kind of makes you feel a little better too. I might would still be upset about the death of my brother but it would help mend the pain in the family.
Danielle C.
I remeber when Muhammad went on his rage and killed all those people. It was such a horrible thing to do I told my mom that he deserved to suffer in the worse way possible. I feel that those who commit horrific crimes deserve the death penalty. I feel that they really don't use the death penalty enough. I think that Muhammad does indeed deserve the death penalty. Unlike Bob Myers' I have not forgiven Mauhammad and really don't think I ever will.
Brittany Posey.
I am not a big fan of the death penalty because to me it solves nothing. I feel as if killing someone does not allow them to soak in there misery. He deserved to pay for what he did but I do not think he deserve to be killed intentionally. My reaction is very similar to Bob Meyer's because forgiveness is the hardest, but most important thing to do. The situation is sad but I guess if you do the crime, you have to suffer the consequences.
~Andrea Johnson
Caleb Stowe
I think that the death penalty isn't exercised enough. People do insanely bad things all the time and aren't punished enough for it. Muhammad definitely deserved to die. I would say I have a similar reaction as Bob Meyers' execution because they both deserved it. The death penalty is a good thing if and only if it is used ONLY when truly deserved.
Chelsea Hedgepeth
I think the death penalty is a little harsh, but if someone does something severe enough, like John Muhammad did, then they definitely deserve it. I think he did deserve to die, because he knew exactly what he was doing, whether he was mentally incapable or not, everyone knows right from wrong. He knew exactly what he was doing, and he knew it was wrong, and did it anyway. It's wrong! Mine would definitely be different, because I'd be happy that a killer was off the streets. Even though killing him doesn't bring back the people killed, at least one more murderer is off the street.
I think he should have had a worse death penalty. If he can take 10 peoples lives then he should have felt the pain just like they did. I think he deserved to die! Anyone who can kill someone shouldn't be allowed to live anymore. In my opinion, I would have wanted him to die if I was him. If he had killed someone in my family I would have been so upset.
-Summer Wilson
I honestly believe that if you kill somebody, then you also deserve to die. I don’t think its right for anybody to play God and go around killing people, because that really affects the family and friends of the victim. I do think that Muhammad did deserve to die. He took the lives of many which is very unfortunate. He actually got the easier way out, because what he did to his victims was very painful but he felt no pain. My reaction would be very different from Bob Meyer’s, because it seems as though he felt bad for Muhammad. I think that’s what Muhammad deserves, even if it is death.
-Roielle T
I have no judgment for this death penalty. I can't say he deserved or if he didn't deserve it. Maybe he was insane or had problems. No one knows why or what led up to this. I don't know whether he should die or not. So I have no comments for this.
-Craig St.
I'm against the death penalty. I'm not completely sure what I think should be the alternative, though. I'm not sure if he deserved to die, two rights don't make a wrong. I would probably feel the same as Bob Meyers when he said seeing someone die hurt his heart. I couldn't ever watch somebody die.
Erica Owens
I do believe in the death penalty. Though there are some people against it, there are people in this world who cannot live in harmony without violence. These people are threatening to our future. Though he could just have been locked up forever, death is probably more peaceful then slowly becoming insane. I would not be able to watch Muhammad die because I could not witness something like that.-Nick Powell
I think it all depends on what the person had done and how many people were hurt in the process. Yes, I think that Muhammad deserved death. I believe he should have felt the pain of dying miserably just the way he had the people he killed, like the mother who took her 3 year old for a walk and was pregnant and Muhammad shot her in the stomach and let her 3 year old watch her die. It was different because Bob Meyers was killed cold blooded and Muhammad was giving a death suited for a king, it totally different. I think he should have died a worse death. James St. Peter
I think the death penalty is a little harsh in some situations. I think that he deserved to die. He killed a lot of people for no reason at all and that is why I think he did deserve to die. My reaction to his death would be similar to Bob Meyers. It would have been similar because I would not want to watch someone be executed.
~Shaquii
I think that the death penalty is good and bad. I agree with it in some cases but in others I disagree. In my opinion Muhammad deserved to die because he didn't have a problem with going around killing innocent people. I think that the Government was right for killing Muhammad but on the other hand I think he should have suffered more than that. It is sad that he had a family and kids but so did the people that he killed so he got what he deserved.
~Kayla R.
I have mixed feelings on the death penalty. I think it depends on the case and what all happens. I think he deserved to die, but a part of me says not peacefully. I know it doesn't make us any better to hurt him, but I just can't imagine being in the family's pain. I think if I was around the execution or knew about it, even if he had done something horrible to a member of my family, I wouldn't be able to watch someone else die. No matter what it's not my thing and it would hurt me no matter what he had done. I just can't imagine being on any side of it.
-Amber Bass
I not a strong believer in the death penalty. I could not sit on a jury and sentence someone to the death penalty. I don't feel like people truly get justice anymore! I don't think anyone DESERVES to die nor would I want to watch them die. I think that Muhammad's execution is a little similar from Bob Meyers'. I have really mixed feelings about the death penalty.
-D.L.E(:
I feel that a death penalty is like murder. I understand that the person killed other people to but when another person kills that person that is guilty of what they did then they are just as worse rather its there job to do it or not. But then again this man killed 10 people and wounded 3... He shot them! But yet they only give him a lethal injection like they wanted him to die peacefully or something when the people that he killed did'nt even have or stand a chance! It's just sad. I dont think that anybody deserves to die no matter what they did but then again thats the way the law is and there is'nt really anything I can do about it. My reaction to Muhammad's death penalty would be very similar to Bob Meyers.-Cadeja Wilson
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