Does AZ have the death penalty and, if so, does this crime meet the legal criteria

[beyurslf]

for it?

[Renew Deal]

1. Yes, and I think federal law applies to the judge

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/01/08/arizona-suspect-likely-facing-death-penalty-fatally-shooting-federal-judge/

[Kolesar]

2. They could let this creep plea bargain down to "life" if he tells us who the conspirators are...eom

[Duer 157099]

3. Unless they have an insanity plea

Cuz I betcha this guy uses it

[Statistical]

4. Yes but it seems highly likely he is mentally ill.

If proven in court that he suffered from schizophrenia for example that would (and should IMHO) preclude the death penalty.

[wtmusic]

6. If he was mentally ill he shouldn't have gotten a permit for a gun

and if he doesn't have a permit, whoever sold it to him should be held responsible for the murders.

[Statistical]

9. Well no none of that is correct.

The instant background check system does block mentally ill persons from obtaining a firearm. However obviously it can only block DIAGNOSED persons from obtaining a firearm. It is a computer database not a magical talisman which can detect ill intentions.

Sadly there are millions of undiagnosed mentally ill persons in this country. We have a horribly underfunded mental health system; I know my wife works in the system. Thus it is possible that he is mentally ill, AND he DID pass a background check (due to never being diagnosed).

[wtmusic]

13. OK he's mentally ill and should have gotten a permit for a gun?

Yes, that's very sad that there are millions of undiagnosed mentally ill persons in this country. Sadly, that's very sad. :(

Until you can figure out a way to to diagnose them, let's take easily-available, deadly handguns off the street so these undiagnosed people can't destroy lives and families or innocent people, shall we? :eyes:

[Statistical]

15. We can start by better funding mental health care.

Funding is roughly 1/8th that of other developed countries. If you think we have a health care problem in this country the mental health problem is 10x worse. However it is far easier to build prisons and push gun control that work at the real issue.

Until you can figure out a way to to diagnose them, let's take easily-available, deadly handguns off the street so these undiagnosed people can't destroy lives and families or innocent people, shall we?
I wouldn't agree to that even if it were Constitutional (and it isn't). Any Constitutional ideas you want to try?

[immoderate]

12. We didn't used to fry the mentally ill. Now, who knows?

I mean, shooting 20 people is proof of something wrong.

--imm

[blondeatlast]

16. You don't know our juries. My mom was an alternate on a DP case--

the accused was demonstrably developmentally disabled and was an accessaory who actually reported the crime to a store clerk who called the police.

He was executed anyway.

[madrchsod]

5. federal court system

death or life would be the only two sentences

[lonestarnot]

7. Yes and yes.

[Oddball]

8. I've read they do

He probably will use an insanity plea

[jmowreader]

10. Doesn't matter if they do or not

The shooting of two federal officials--the congresswoman and the federal judge--have made this a federal offense, and the feds have a death penalty.

[jberryhill]

11. The murder of the judge meets the rare federal death penalty

I'd guess in AZ they shoot you for parking tickets, on those days when Jan Brewer isn't scouring the desert for beheadings.

[Odin2005]

14. No, it's wrong to execute the mentally ill.

Execute the 50yo Teabagger that manipulated him.

[RidinMyDonkey]

17. I still don't favor the death penalty

This guy has a family too, who I'm sure can't ALL be nut bags. Killing him wont bring anyone else back.

I will say though, that this is probably the most I have ever considered the death penalty for anyone.