Loud and Clear. Lethal Injection
May 2, 2014
Due to the botched execution of Clayton Derrell Lockett , in the state of Oklahoma . The death penalty has come under greater scrutiny. Recent news indicated that the United Nations is investigating. In a rare turn of events, even the White House has spoken out about the execution .
It is good that the death penalty is getting more attention. Though I have mixed thoughts on this debate about lethal injection . It is a given that the execution of Clayton Lockett went horribly wrong. Though pro death penalty news commentators seemed dismayed at what the uproar was about. Saying that he was sentenced to die. He did indeed die, so there should not be any problems.
While on the surface that is true. In a nation that prides itself on proclaiming to be the world leader for governmental ethics & the rule of law over the law of rule. There is a bigger question that must be debated. We do not rape rapists, as we deplore that behavior. We wish to show that it is wrong & to punish it. While we do kill those that kill. The intent is to do it in a fashion that separates the state from that of the killer.
Clayton Lockett shot a woman for her vehicle. Then buried her alive. She died a very horrible death. One consumed with pain and fear. A helplessness of being unable to flee or defend herself. The same feelings that the state of Oklahoma caused Clayton Lockett to experience. He died a very horrible painful death while partially paralyzed. Though feeling everything due to the deficient performance by the state executioners. Which ironically, Clayton Lockett had, prior to his execution, attempted to sue them over their execution protocol.
The state became equal with the killer.
The ‘noble defender’ for the rights of the people became the ‘predator’ they profess to disdain. The United States of America is a very polarized nation. There is this “us versus them” thread that intertwines throughout society. Left vs. Right, my team versus your team, Texas versus the rest of the country.
There is a sense of pride in being one of a greater sense of morality, then the “other side.”
That is why we do not kill killers as they kill. It is why we do not allow honor killings. It is why the police are not supposed to be allowed to kill. (Though they damn sure seem to get away with it often enough!)
Now the issue that has kind of faded. Is all the political action that took place before the execution of Clayton Lockett. Oklahoma, like Texas, has two branches of court systems. Civil & criminal. The Court of Criminal Appeals refused to halt the execution. The Oklahoma Supreme Court issued a stay of execution as Clayton Lockett and another person sued over the execution protocol and lethal injection drugs. The state governor Mary Fallin , along with several members of the state legislation, went up in arms over the Oklahoma Supreme Court halting the execution. Stating that they had no right to halt it. Which I am sure that this will create a new legal battle. As people on death row have the right to sue. A civil matter should be addressed in the Civil courts.
Even the spokesman for the Court of Criminal Appeals in Oklahoma stated that they have no say in it, as the Supreme Court of Oklahoma issued the stay of execution based on a ‘civil suit.’
From the view of someone with a working understanding of the law & politics. That statement is significant. As it in form expresses that the states top criminal court, acknowledges that the states top civil court had the legal right to step in. Given the circumstances. Which would mean that by the politicians stepping in. The civil rights of Clayton Lockett was indeed violated. Now, this doesn’t mean that someone on death row can file a suit about mistreatment in prison & then not be executed. As that would destroy the concept of the ‘finality of justice’ that is used to justify executions & not allowing undue delays. However, if the lawsuit related to the case evidence or execution method then the person can challenge this..
If a person sues in state court , then it would take a different path than if they sued in federal court. Most file a suit in federal court . Where the standards of law are different to a degree. Plus it is deemed to be less politically interested than the state courts. As federal judges are appointed by the U.S. President for life of the judge. State judges are not. Some are voted in or appointed by legislative boards.
If a person on death row was to make the choice to go the route of state courts, which would lead to the state Supreme Court . Then that is a proper legal path. Does not mean it is wrong. Now there could be something in the Oklahoma constitution and/or state laws for Oklahoma, that I am unaware of. Which would challenge what I write here. I can only go by the available information that I have. That is news programs on the radio, along with two newspapers that I have subscriptions to. However, by the simple fact that Oklahoma Supreme Court took the action that they did, in previously halting the execution, it is evident that the ability I expressed here is plausible. As the state Supreme Court would not have taken such a controversial action. More so in a state that is dominated by pro death penalty politicians. Even more so with a case, such as the one that Clayton Lockett was on death row for. If it was not legal. How will all of this impact Texas? It will not have any direct impact. Not beyond simply putting a greater spotlight on the death penalty in general. As Texas does not use the same execution drugs as Oklahoma. There has been no problems detailed in the previous executions of this year. The courts have refused to accept challenges on this matter in Texas.
I have no desire to upset anyone. Though if you have a loved one in Texas and you are thinking this Oklahoma event will impact Texas. That is like saying something in China impacting something in Iceland. It might create a discussion. Though it will not change the course of “business as usual” in Texas.
Now something that I personally want to address, as a person on death row. Since the death penalty became legal again in the United States in 1976 (which that year is a bit ironic that the states were allowed to start killing its citizens again, as 1976 was the 200th anniversary of the independence for the United States.) Since the reinstatement of the death penalty, there has currently been 1,379 executions, as of April 30th 2014.
1,204 by lethal injection, 158 by electric chair, 11 by gas chamber, 3 by hanging & 3 by firing squad.
NOT ONE OF THESE METHODS HAVE BEEN OUTLAWED! NOT ONE!
People get caught up in this fight against the death penalty due to lethal injection. In my opinion, it is a misguided fight. As if they remove it, then they will use hanging or the electric chair!
The U.S. Supreme Court has already ruled that lethal injection was not prohibited.
People that are on the fence about how they feel concerning the death penalty. They express more concern for an innocent person being executed, then how they are executed.
Being both innocent of the crimes I am here for & also being a victim of a fundamentally flawed appeals process. All due to corrupt prosecutors and ineffective appeal lawyers. It is true that my mind is not on HOW they want to kill me. Instead it is on them NOT killing me.
I have changed the minds of countless people, in the opinion they held about the death penalty (People in the U.S.A.!)
Prior to the film Code Red: Death Penalty playing in the Netherlands. 35% of the country supported the ideas of the death penalty. I imagine that number dropped to around 5% now. As people are more aware. The flaws in the system is what shocks people.
The people in the U.S. is what matters when it comes to voting. Changing the minds of the people will change the system. To do that they have to be educated to the realities of the judicial system. As most operate on myths created by tough on crime politicians and some media outlets. The flawed execution can help shine a light on the overall flaws of the death penalty system.
I thank you for reading my words. On the website for my case <a href=”http://www.saveaninnocentlife.com”>www.saveaninnocentlife.com</a> it mentions not to share content without permission from myself. The reason being is that in the past, people would copy and share my blogs. Though sadly would remove my name and website information. I gladly welcome everyone to share my writings with anyone they want to, as long as my name is attached with the writings & they are not altered from their original form.
By all means, please spread the word. J
I thank you for your time and attention.
I remain,
In solidarity.
Veni, Vidi, Vici.
Clinton Young #999447
Polunsky Unit
3872 FM 350 South
Livingston, TX 77351
USA