# Should Staff Sgt. Robert Bales be put to death for his crimes? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 30, 2013, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-staff-sgt-robert-bales-be-put-to-death-for-his-crimes/659700 "2013-05-30T11:49:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-staff-sgt-robert-bales-be-put-to-death-for-his-crimes/659700/21 "2013-05-30T19:32:24Z")
I am against the Death Penalty\*. So I voted no. I do think that this is a case of the US Military protecting one of its own. Understandable, but still not something one can accept. - I am not against the death as a punishment _per se_. I just find humans have a very poor record wrt to its implementation. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-staff-sgt-robert-bales-be-put-to-death-for-his-crimes/659700/22 "2013-05-30T21:07:02Z")
Actually, I agree with the notion that he should have been extradited to stand trial in Afghanistan. That makes the point clear that he was not acting under the auspices of the US military. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-staff-sgt-robert-bales-be-put-to-death-for-his-crimes/659700/23 "2013-05-30T21:12:02Z")
> [@yellowjacketcoder](#): > > I voted no, but that’s due to general opposition to the death penalty. I, too. ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-staff-sgt-robert-bales-be-put-to-death-for-his-crimes/659700/24 "2013-05-30T21:18:41Z")
As much of a peace-loving and happy-go-lucky guy as I am, I agree he should be extradited to Afghanistan. Truthfully, I don’t even know if that is possible, but if it is, then let the Afghani people decide his fate. This is a heinous crime and done under the aegis of our overseas armed forces. There is no excuse for such. I can only hope that the USA acts in an ethical manner that upholds the spirit of the Geneva Convention. If we expect others to do so, then we should be the FIRST to do so as well. Hrrr… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-staff-sgt-robert-bales-be-put-to-death-for-his-crimes/659700/25 "2013-05-30T21:47:57Z")
I am opposed to the death penalty, so if life in prison is a legal punishment here, I’m fine with that. However, I could quite understand if the USA were to extradite him to Afghanistan. The crimes were committed in their jurisdiction and it is appropriate to extradite criminals to the place they committed their crimes, even if that makes it possible their punishments are harsher than what they would face at home. I oppose capital punishment in Afghanistan, too, but what happens on their turf is their business. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-staff-sgt-robert-bales-be-put-to-death-for-his-crimes/659700/26 "2013-05-30T22:04:26Z")
No way in hell should he be handed over to the afghans. It is a precedent we can not afford to make. Regardless of the circumstances of this particular case. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-staff-sgt-robert-bales-be-put-to-death-for-his-crimes/659700/27 "2013-05-30T22:22:32Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > No way in hell should he be handed over to the afghans. It is a precedent we can not afford to make. Regardless of the circumstances of this particular case. I was going along with it, but you make a good point. A kid caught with marijuana where it is the death penalty. ---
**Author:** ![Disheavel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@Disheavel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disheavel)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-staff-sgt-robert-bales-be-put-to-death-for-his-crimes/659700/28 "2013-05-30T22:26:40Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > No way in hell should he be handed over to the afghans. It is a precedent we can not afford to make. Regardless of the circumstances of this particular case. Why, what precedent is there to set? Have there been other mass killings by a U.S. soldier outside of their line of duty? If so, I hope they are similarly tried in the offended/victim countries. I believe this is how rapists from U.S. bases in [Japan](http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/01/world/asia/japan-u-s-rape-sentencing) and Korea(?) were handled. We expect criminals to be returned from other countries to the U.S. for trial (I don’t think I need citations for that fact but if you want one, [Guantanamo Bay detention camp](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guantanamo_Bay_detention_camp)). The U.S. should have never removed him. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-staff-sgt-robert-bales-be-put-to-death-for-his-crimes/659700/29 "2013-05-30T22:27:49Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I’m not defending his behavior. I’m troubled by the idea of the death penalty in this case. [Also, the fact that most do not go on murderous rampages doesn’t imply some aren’t close.](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/04/iraq-afghanistan-war-veterans-combat-trauma_n_1645701.html) (PTSD info) Sorry, that is offensive and inaccurate. PTSD doesn’t make you murderous, [it more likely makes you self destructive and depressive.](http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/what-is-ptsd.asp) ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-staff-sgt-robert-bales-be-put-to-death-for-his-crimes/659700/30 "2013-05-30T22:52:08Z")
Absolutely he should get the death sentence. The law allows for it and his crime justifies it. And, especially since it is legally allowed and has ample precedents, we can then, without embarrassment, also justify his execution on the basis of political need. (Obviously it would be different if political expediency was the primary driver.) ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-staff-sgt-robert-bales-be-put-to-death-for-his-crimes/659700/31 "2013-05-30T23:09:59Z")
Another “against it, but only because I oppose the death penalty in general” vote here. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-staff-sgt-robert-bales-be-put-to-death-for-his-crimes/659700/32 "2013-05-30T23:31:49Z")
How about putting him to work and having his pay garnished to support the families of those he killed? Or having him work directly for those families. I voted for pie. I don’t really know enough details about this incident or about the accused to make such a determination. I’m not against the death penalty per se, but I think each case has to be weighed carefully. I also think that way more people end up on death row than should. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-staff-sgt-robert-bales-be-put-to-death-for-his-crimes/659700/33 "2013-05-30T23:50:19Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > How often do you Kipple? As frequently as I can 😛 ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2013, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-staff-sgt-robert-bales-be-put-to-death-for-his-crimes/659700/34 "2013-05-31T00:09:58Z")
I suspect that if it had been a Afghani who killed 16 sleeping Americans this wouldn’t be an issue because he would be already dead. Afghanistan needs to deal with him. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2013, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-staff-sgt-robert-bales-be-put-to-death-for-his-crimes/659700/35 "2013-05-31T00:31:16Z")
> [@Disheavel](#): > > Why, what precedent is there to set? Have there been other mass killings by a U.S. soldier outside of their line of duty? If so, I hope they are similarly tried in the offended/victim countries. I believe this is how rapists from U.S. bases in [Japan](http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/01/world/asia/japan-u-s-rape-sentencing) and Korea(?) were handled. We expect criminals to be returned from other countries to the U.S. for trial (I don’t think I need citations for that fact but if you want one, [Guantanamo Bay detention camp](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guantanamo_Bay_detention_camp)). > The U.S. should have never removed him. The precedent of putting American service men under Sharia Law is a bad precedent. As is putting them under any law that does not follow our constitution (innocent until proven guilty and other pesky things like that). Japan and Korea are not good examples. In both cases we follow a mutually agreed upon status of forces agreement. When Iraq asked for troops to stay behind but would not agree to a SOFA we said GFY. When soldiers sign up to risk their lives it is under the understanding that they will be held to the UCMJ. Even those that commit crimes. I voted for the death penalty btw. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2013, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-staff-sgt-robert-bales-be-put-to-death-for-his-crimes/659700/36 "2013-05-31T00:56:14Z")
As an opponent to the death penalty in all cases, I am opposed to it here. Yes his crime is heinous. Yes he is guilty. He should stay in prison for the rest of his life. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2013, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-staff-sgt-robert-bales-be-put-to-death-for-his-crimes/659700/37 "2013-05-31T00:56:54Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Turn him over to the Afghan women. Not even the Taliban would be that cruel. Also I’m not entirely sure if the local clerics make an exception to the “no touching unrelated men” rule for women carrying out a public torture session/execution. > [@kayaker](#): > > I have no problem with the death penalty in general. I do have a problem with arming people, training them to kill, placing them in a hostile environment, then punishing them for transgressions. We train soldiers to follow orders and not to go off on their own slaughtering civilians in direction violation of the UCMJ and multiple treaties we’re a party to. If Bales is guilty as charged then he’s a war criminal and should be put to death. No firing squad either, let him die like a common criminal. > [@Skammer](#): > > Actually, I agree with the notion that he should have been extradited to stand trial in Afghanistan. That makes the point clear that he was not acting under the auspices of the US military. That’s not something that would never happen under any circumstances. The only way an Afghan court could try him would be if the Afghanis managed to arrest him & avoid turning him over to the US. Which they won’t do because they’ve signed agreements with the US giving the US military jurisdiction over it’s forces, and also because we’ve been bankrolling Karzai. > [@Disheavel](#): > > Why, what precedent is there to set? Have there been other mass killings by a U.S. soldier outside of their line of duty? If so, I hope they are similarly tried in the offended/victim countries… Afghanistan is still basically a war zone. There is precedent for holding the court-martial in the field or close to it (& even carrying out executions abroad), but modern practice is to hold them in the US. Korea & Japan aren’t the best example; those are allied powers that have been at peace for decades, and it’s only recently that we’ve allowed local courts jurisdiction over American personnel. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2013, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-staff-sgt-robert-bales-be-put-to-death-for-his-crimes/659700/38 "2013-05-31T01:11:51Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > When Iraq asked for troops to stay behind but would not agree to a SOFA we said GFY. Considering that they’d had years of American soldiers running around raping, torturing and killing people while being told that their local laws against things like rape & murder didn’t apply to Americans, that’s understandable. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2013, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-staff-sgt-robert-bales-be-put-to-death-for-his-crimes/659700/39 "2013-05-31T01:13:39Z")
Yes ('m pro-DP but a little uneasy about it). This case merits it, unquestionably. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2013, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-staff-sgt-robert-bales-be-put-to-death-for-his-crimes/659700/40 "2013-05-31T02:41:18Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > The precedent of putting American service men under Sharia Law is a bad precedent. As is putting them under any law that does not follow our constitution (innocent until proven guilty and other pesky things like that). Yes, dammit, as much as I hate to agree with you, you are correct. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-staff-sgt-robert-bales-be-put-to-death-for-his-crimes/659700.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-staff-sgt-robert-bales-be-put-to-death-for-his-crimes/659700.md?page=3)