Thursday, August 30, 2007

Kenneth Foster: Update -- He Will Live!

Earlier today, Governor Rick Perry of Texas commuted the death sentence for Kenneth Foster.

I am relieved to say that in this situation, no one currently needs The Beats!

Don't be caught driving in Texas!

You know, I've always been a bit conservative in my political views; my husband has even referred to me as "Attila the Hun". Maybe I'm getting soft in my old age, but I have to say that the death, scheduled for 6pm CT today, of Kenneth Foster has me rethinking my previously firm pro-death penalty stance.

I'm all for putting the juice to social deviants like Robert Picton, Jeffry Dahmer, Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacy. They committed multiple crimes of an extremely haenous nature. But what did Kenneth Foster do? He drove a car ladies and gentlemen, he drove a car. Was he an accessory to murder? Yes. Was he an accessory to 2 other armed robberies that occurred the same night? Yes. Should he be punished for those offences? Yes. But should he be put to death?

In Texas, the "law of parties" allows for Kenneth's punishment to match that of the actual killer, who was put to death last summer.

So later today, unless two unlikely things happen, Kenneth will be put to death by lethal injection. First, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles would need to uphold Kenneth's appeal and make a recommendation to Governor Perry to commute his sentence. This has only happened twice in the history of the board. Second, Governor Perry would have to commute the sentence. During his time in office, he has been asked to do this only once and he denied that request.

We in the "west" like to believe that we are free of the incivilities of lesser developed nations. We impose heavy economic and military sanctions on countries who we believe are committing grave human rights violations. But today, our "civil" society will kill a man whose crime pales beside his punishment. This should weigh heavy on our collective consciousness.

My husband asked me if I would trade a theoretical death sentence for Robert Picton (in favour of life in prision, no chance of parole) for Kenneth Foster's commutation. I would. Given that trade, I have to ask myself if I woud trade the deaths of all truly guilty parties to have the lives of all of the innocent or undeserving back. I would.

I really wish that this situation would force people to look at this issue more closely but I doubt it will. Kenneth Foster will be put to death later today while America eats, watches TV and argues about who left the cap off the toothpaste. And life will go on - but not for him.

If Kenneth Foster dies tonight, we all need The Beats.