# Why I Support the Death Penalty for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev... **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 22, 2015, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-support-the-death-penalty-for-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/718253 "2015-04-22T03:22:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**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:** [April 23, 2015, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-support-the-death-penalty-for-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/718253/81 "2015-04-23T19:36:40Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > What do the other examples have to do with this case? There is no fudged testimony or fiber analysis. The evidence is overwhelming and incontrovertible. He did it. Everyone who ever voted to convict someone was firmly convinced that the accused “did it”. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-support-the-death-penalty-for-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/718253/82 "2015-04-23T19:43:14Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Everyone who ever voted to convict someone was firmly convinced that the accused “did it”. Did Tsarnaev do it? ---
**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:** [April 23, 2015, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-support-the-death-penalty-for-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/718253/83 "2015-04-23T19:46:28Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > BACK OFF, GUYS! He’s got a _dictionary_ cite! Beats the hell out of Wikipedia. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-support-the-death-penalty-for-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/718253/84 "2015-04-23T19:46:38Z")
His own lawyers said right in their opening statements that he indeed did everything he was charged with. He previously had written a confession (although he wouldn’t call it one) on the boat wall. This is not a case you can argue \*doubt \*with, although there certainly are many others. ---
**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:** [April 23, 2015, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-support-the-death-penalty-for-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/718253/85 "2015-04-23T19:58:17Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Did Tsarnaev do it? It surely appears so, but folks in a jury are certain the guy they find guilty is guilty, and sometimes the aren’t. Sometime it may be you or me that people are certain is guilty. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-support-the-death-penalty-for-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/718253/86 "2015-04-23T20:05:05Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > It surely appears so Then why does he deserve to live? > [@](#): > > but folks in a jury are certain the guy they find guilty is guilty, and sometimes the aren’t. It’s a good thing we don’t immediately execute people right after the trial jury issues a sentence, then. > [@](#): > > Sometime it may be you or me that people are certain is guilty. Maybe. If it happens to me and I am guilty, then I’ll pay the penalty for it; and if I’m not guilty, the system will eventually exonerate me. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-support-the-death-penalty-for-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/718253/87 "2015-04-23T20:05:52Z")
The death penalty is wrong, always and everywhere. _AND_ it fails as retribution/vengeance. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-support-the-death-penalty-for-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/718253/88 "2015-04-23T20:15:00Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Then why does he deserve to live? Because _we_ don’t deserve to kill him. It isn’t about him, it’s about _us_. Who do \*we \*want to be? > [@](#): > > It’s a good thing we don’t immediately execute people right after the trial jury issues a sentence, then. That’s a pretty recent innovation in our justice system, actually. > [@](#): > > if I’m not guilty, the system will eventually exonerate me. Before or after your execution? ---
**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:** [April 23, 2015, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-support-the-death-penalty-for-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/718253/89 "2015-04-23T20:17:01Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Then why does he deserve to live? He doesn’t, but setting a precedent that " if a jury is certain the guy is guilty, then whack him" may cause innocent people to be executed. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-support-the-death-penalty-for-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/718253/90 "2015-04-23T20:17:56Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Because _we_ don’t deserve to kill him. Of course we do. He wronged us. We are entitled to restitution. > [@](#): > > It isn’t about him, it’s about _us_. Who do \*we \*want to be? We want to be the executors of justice. > [@](#): > > That’s a pretty recent innovation in our justice system, actually. And a very good one at that. > [@](#): > > Before or after your execution? Before. We don’t execute innocent people in this country. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-support-the-death-penalty-for-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/718253/91 "2015-04-23T20:19:32Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > He doesn’t, but setting a precedent that " if a jury is certain the guy is guilty, then whack him" may cause innocent people to be executed. If innocent people being executed was actually a thing that happened, you might have a faint glimmer of a point there. But it isn’t, so you don’t, and the possibility that a completely unrelated person might wrongfully executed years from now does not excuse the crime of allowing Tsarnaev to live. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-support-the-death-penalty-for-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/718253/92 "2015-04-23T20:20:47Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Of course we do. He wronged us. We are entitled to restitution. Restitution? How can he make it up to us? You must have meant “retribution”, which does not help us. > [@](#): > > We want to be the executors of justice. What do you mean by “justice” then? Something other than retribution, something more moral and civilized? What? > [@](#): > > We don’t execute innocent people in this country. Hoo boy. Somebody else want to take this one? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-support-the-death-penalty-for-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/718253/93 "2015-04-23T20:23:26Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Restitution? How can he make it up to us? By surrendering his life. > [@](#): > > You must have meant “retribution”, which does not help us. I meant what I said. > [@](#): > > What do you mean by “justice” then? Something other than retribution, something more moral and civilized? Justice occurs when those who have done wrong are punished appropriately. There is nothing more moral and civilized than the fair application of justice. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-support-the-death-penalty-for-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/718253/94 "2015-04-23T20:29:57Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > By surrendering his life. Does that bring back the dead? Restore amputated legs? Heal any wounds? “Make us whole” as the lawyers say? How? What does that do except take another life, worthless as it is? > [@](#): > > Justice occurs when those who have done wrong are punished appropriately. There is nothing more moral and civilized than the fair application of justice. You’re constantly using different words but you’re still dodging the question. What is “appropriate” punishment and who decides? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-support-the-death-penalty-for-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/718253/95 "2015-04-23T20:35:55Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Does that bring back the dead? Restore amputated legs? Heal any wounds? “Make us whole” as the lawyers say? Of course not. What it does is punish the wrongdoer for what they’ve done. You can’t change the past. What you can do is ensure that actions have consequences. > [@](#): > > What is “appropriate” punishment and who decides? The appropriate punishment for murder, IMO, is a public execution by hanging, beheading, or burning. In our society, the appropriate punishment is decided by the people via their elected representatives, who have concluded that a private execution via lethal injection, inhalation of gas, electrocution, or firing squad is appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-support-the-death-penalty-for-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/718253/96 "2015-04-23T21:05:29Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Of course not. What it does is punish the wrongdoer for what they’ve done. Then it’s mere retribution, not restitution, that you want. And the previous questions about what _we_ are and want to be still lie there. Life in prison without parole is certainly punishment, you know, and possibly worse than death. > [@](#): > > In our society, the appropriate punishment is decided by the people via their elected representatives, who have concluded that a private execution via lethal injection, inhalation of gas, electrocution, or firing squad is appropriate. In some parts of the US, yes, that’s still accepted. Others, a growing majority, have put it in their pasts along with so many other things we have developed beyond, and so has most of the rest of the civilized world. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-support-the-death-penalty-for-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/718253/97 "2015-04-23T21:10:52Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Then it’s mere retribution, not restitution, that you want. Is there a difference? > [@](#): > > Life in prison without parole is certainly punishment, you know, and possibly worse than death. To paraphrase the Dread Pirate Roberts; life is better than death. Anyone who tells you otherwise is selling you something. > [@](#): > > In some parts of the US, yes, that’s still accepted. Others, a growing majority, have put it in their pasts along with so many other things we have developed beyond, and so has most of the rest of the civilized world. I don’t believe that any part of the world that suffers criminal murderers to live has a claim to calling itself “civilized”. The only thing that such squeamishness indicates is cowardice. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-support-the-death-penalty-for-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/718253/98 "2015-04-23T21:15:42Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The appropriate punishment for murder, IMO, is a public execution by hanging, beheading, or burning. Ah. Got it now. You’re with ISIS! ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-support-the-death-penalty-for-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/718253/99 "2015-04-23T22:00:05Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Then why does he deserve to live? “deserve’s got nothin’ to do with it.” ---
**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:** [April 23, 2015, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-support-the-death-penalty-for-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/718253/100 "2015-04-23T22:09:35Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > “deserve’s got nothin’ to do with it.” 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-support-the-death-penalty-for-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/718253.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-support-the-death-penalty-for-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/718253.md?page=6)