There have been recent major changes and events coming up that involve our South Carolina law system. Back in 2011, our state last had an execution for those on death row. Since then, executions have been paused because of the lack of resources used for lethal injections. Many suppliers decided to stop giving resources in fear that their identities for providing this drug would be revealed. As of now, the situation concerning death row has changed. Not only has SC legislation ensured the identity of the drug producers would be safe, but they have ruled in favor of having the options of electrocution, a firing squad or lethal injection. They also ruled that these options are in no form of cruel and unusual punishments. After 13 years, an execution is to take place on September 20th for a convicted murderer. The convict took the life of an innocent store clerk and will face the consequences of his action.
Since this news has to do with law, I was able to sit down with Officer Madden who has been here at Hillcrest for 20 years, and get a perspective from someone that works in law enforcement.
Question #1: Do you agree with having the death penalty in our legal system? Why or why not?
“Yes, I believe that if you take a life that you should forfeit yours. There are circumstances with self defense, but if you commit a violent crime that’s something along the lines of murder, then the ultimate penalty should be the death penalty.”
Question #2: In your profession of work, what do you think is the hardest thing about enforcing the law?
“Each incident has its own separate and different circumstances. No incident is the same, some can be very similar, but it’s never the same because there are different people involved. The circumstance that some people are living in makes it difficult to enforce the law because we are human and we do have feelings, so we can see that person is having trouble, so it makes it difficult on a human level because people are having a hard time. The law is the law and that’s just our job, and we have to make those arrests and calls. We still have to do a job and enforce the law, and a victim that we have to look after.”
Question #3: Do you think that everyone deserves a second chance?
“No, not everyone. Most people, yes. Majority of people who make a mistake deserve a second chance, but there are some people out there that’d done a lot of things to a lot of people and got caught. So when they finally get caught in the destruction that they left they need to be held accountable for it.”
Question #4: Do you have any other thoughts concerning the upcoming execution?
“The convict had 13 more years that the store clerk and family didn’t have, and so I think it is time for them to be held accountable.”
People should know that in everything that they do whether it be good or bad, has consequences. Even if there is room for forgiveness, punishment will be instilled. Anyone losing their life is something major. Many of the executions have been held off for too long, so having them back in our state’s legal system will be of much help. It will bring justice to those that have fallen victim to these peoples crimes along with their hurting families and loved ones.