Thursday, August 30, 2007

Timing Your Commute

Why do Governors always seem to wait until the last possible minute to commute the sentences of convicted criminals?

Does it really take that long to review a case? Are they waiting for further exculpatory evidence? Is crafting a budget a higher priority? Does the victim's family frequently lobby for an expedited execution? Does it take a long time for a public outcry to develop in support for the prisoner?

Or does the drama build the closer the execution comes giving the granter of clemency an almost God-like status as someone who holds life and death in his or hands? Does a governor become more merciful the closer the death of the inmate becomes?

If that's the case, isn't that kind of cruel and/or unusual?

Just a thought ...

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

yes. bookmarked text )