Death penalty victims

It is true that John Joubert did a horrible thing. And when confessing his crime against humanity he stated truthfully, “I did it anyway.” You cannot rationalize what a serial killer does. Such killers are incapable of remorse as we know it. Joubert’s IQ was 130 but he had an obsession and once a noxious fantasy is acted out, it is near if not impossible to stop. There was a medical reason for his behavior.

Yes, there are people in our society who are appalled by premeditated state murder, alias the death penalty. We have a place for violent offenders. It is called prison without parole. You can put my name at the top of the list as an abolitionist along with Sister Helen Prejean, my friend of “Dead Man Walking” fame. Also, Sam Sheppard, whose father, Dr. Sam Sheppard, was accused of killing his wife and was innocent and could have gotten the chair for someone else’s crime. Add to that list many clergy, as well as victims. You might be surprised to know that the death penalty creates more victims — like us. I don’t wish that on anyone! Helen Pajama Old Town