Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Sauron · 05-23-2003, 07:55 PM

http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/05/23/bi....ap/index.html

BRIGHTON, Colorado (AP) -- A judge threw out a convicted killer's death sentence Friday, saying the jury improperly relied on the Bible to reach its decision.

Judge John Vigil ordered a new sentencing hearing for Robert Harlan, who was convicted in 1995 of kidnapping, raping and murdering Rhonda Maloney, 25. He also shot a passer-by who tried to help, leaving her paralyzed.

"If any case merits the death penalty, there cannot be serious debate about this case being that case," Vigil wrote. "The death penalty, however, must be imposed in a constitutional manner ... Jury resort to biblical code has no place in a constitutional death penalty proceeding."

SLD · 05-23-2003, 08:44 PM

They didn't use the Bible Code did they?

Sheesh, every body knows that's bunk. You have to use the Moby Dick code in a death penalty case!! You use the Bible Code only in Qui Tam Actions. Didn't the Judge properly instruct them?

SLD

Toto · 05-23-2003, 10:06 PM

What a touchy case. Of course, they didn't quote anything about forgiveness from the Bible.

Here's a more detailed article:

Quote:

. . . Among the Bible citations was Leviticus 24:20, which reads, "fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, as he has caused disfigurement of a man, so shall it be done to him.''

...

"The eye for an eye. That's just not the law in Colorado or in any state,'' [defense attorney] Lord said. "Bible passages that were used by the jury in this case were Bible passages contradictory to Colorado law.''

and here

Quote:

Some jurors told a defense investigator in 1995 that deciding the killer's death penalty weighed so heavily on them that some of them consulted the Bible. In her motion, Lord said at least 4 jurors were leaning toward a life sentence but were persuaded by other jurors who quoted Scripture to vote for the death penalty.

and here

Quote:

Juror Lori Salter was quoted by Lord as saying at the time that no Bible passages suggested life in prison was an appropriate penalty for murder. Lord said several jurors were balking at sentencing Harlan to death.

Toto · 05-23-2003, 10:26 PM

This is what things would be like if juries really went by the Bible:

The Fully Informed Jury

hezekiah jones · 05-23-2003, 11:03 PM

[defense attorney] Lord

rofl

JonathanChance · 05-24-2003, 09:26 AM

Who else thinks that this news story is going to be the next big bit of godspam that's going to get passed around the internet quicker than a 5'2" 120 lb inmate at San Quentin?

Shake · 05-25-2003, 05:01 PM

Quote:

How will God give us such juries? Only when the social clubs we call "churches" return to God's Word as authoritative for all of life. Only when the people of this land cry out to God, not Caesar, for relief and justice. Not till then.

Return? Am I missing something here?

Umm... also, isn't Caesar dead?

(Slightly) more seriously, have these folks read their Bibles? Do they really want the type of "justice" that God metes out? Not the OT-style, I would hope.

Beetle · 05-28-2003, 08:24 AM

The touchy thing about this ruling is that everybody on a jury carries in presuppositions and beliefs that affect they way they perform their jobs. So who is the judge to say that certain presuppositions are good, and others are bad? What if they voted for death based on their views of the bible without openly discussing it? Can that still be thrown out?

And, yes, we can all get ready for tons of godspam because of this.

Ab_Normal · 05-28-2003, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shake
(Slightly) more seriously, have these folks read their Bibles? Do they really want the type of "justice" that God metes out? Not the OT-style, I would hope.

(emphasis style changed by me)

Oh, but the only people who would have to fear are the ones who break the law... the folks who get behind that sort of thing would never get caught in an illegal act. [/sarcasm]

05-23-2003, 07:55 PM	#1
Sauron Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: In the dark places of the world Posts: 8,093	Judge: Bible cannot be basis for death sentence http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/05/23/bi....ap/index.html BRIGHTON, Colorado (AP) -- A judge threw out a convicted killer's death sentence Friday, saying the jury improperly relied on the Bible to reach its decision. Judge John Vigil ordered a new sentencing hearing for Robert Harlan, who was convicted in 1995 of kidnapping, raping and murdering Rhonda Maloney, 25. He also shot a passer-by who tried to help, leaving her paralyzed. "If any case merits the death penalty, there cannot be serious debate about this case being that case," Vigil wrote. "The death penalty, however, must be imposed in a constitutional manner ... Jury resort to biblical code has no place in a constitutional death penalty proceeding."

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05-23-2003, 08:44 PM	#2
SLD Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Birmingham, Alabama Posts: 4,109	They didn't use the Bible Code did they? Sheesh, every body knows that's bunk. You have to use the Moby Dick code in a death penalty case!! You use the Bible Code only in Qui Tam Actions. Didn't the Judge properly instruct them? SLD

05-23-2003, 10:26 PM	#4
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	This is what things would be like if juries really went by the Bible: The Fully Informed Jury

05-23-2003, 11:03 PM	#5
hezekiah jones Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: WI Posts: 4,357	[defense attorney] Lord rofl

05-24-2003, 09:26 AM	#6
JonathanChance Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Stevens Point, WI Posts: 538	Who else thinks that this news story is going to be the next big bit of godspam that's going to get passed around the internet quicker than a 5'2" 120 lb inmate at San Quentin?

05-28-2003, 08:24 AM	#8
Beetle Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Massachusetts State Home for the Bewildered Posts: 961	The touchy thing about this ruling is that everybody on a jury carries in presuppositions and beliefs that affect they way they perform their jobs. So who is the judge to say that certain presuppositions are good, and others are bad? What if they voted for death based on their views of the bible without openly discussing it? Can that still be thrown out? And, yes, we can all get ready for tons of godspam because of this.

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