Arias: Choosing a Sentence

Convicted of 1st degree premeditated murder, Jodi Arias now faces one of three possible sentences:

• Death by lethal injection
• Life without the possibility of parole
• 25 years to life

Reasonable people disagree on whether the death penalty is ever appropriate.  I do believe it is but that we, as a society, should use it sparingly and judiciously.  What we don't have, and likely never will have, is a clearly defined standard for imposing the death penalty.

Too Ill to Execute?

No.  Anyone who has been closely following the saga of Jodi Arias knows she is mentally ill.  There can be no doubt about that.  However, because she does not meet the standard for legal insanity, she is deemed sane enough to execute.  Just because we all think she's "buckets of crazy" is no reason to cut her any slack here.

Scott Peterson received the death penalty for the murder of his wife and unborn son.  Why would we want any lesser sentence for Jodi Arias?  Perhaps because her victim wasn't pregnant?  Or because her crime was somehow less cruel?  Or because she's an attractive young woman with a nice smile and breast implants?  Or because she displays some talent for art and music?  Would she be any less a danger to society than Scott Peterson?

As is often said regarding pornography, "I can't define it but I know it when I see it."  Well, here's what I believe a death penalty case looks like... 

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16 May 2013 Footnote:
Did I do the right thing by posting the above image?  That question has haunted me every day following my decision to do so.  After much afterthought and reconsideration, I think it was the right thing to do... it illustrates exactly how depraved Jodi Arias is and I think people who may oppose the death penalty need to see it.  She is an evil monster the world can well do without and it's my firm belief the only fitting punishment for her is death.

To the family and friends of Travis Alexander who may (God forbid) stumble onto this post, I want to extend my deepest, most sincere apology for having to resort to such a horrifying illustration to prove a point.  My intent to instruct was never meant to exploit.

To anyone still holding onto the delusion that Jodi Arias is innocent, perhaps you should consider how much self-defense a person is entitled to.  And are you really so willing to take Jodi's word for it -- at face value -- considering what a manipulator and agile liar she's been proven to be?