Another Tragic Mississippi Day: Wilcher Executed | Jackson Free Press | Jackson, MS

Another Tragic Mississippi Day: Wilcher Executed

Gov. Haley Barbour's statement:

Despite the needless delay caused by the U.S. Supreme Court, justice has finally been rendered for these horrible crimes. The real tragedy in this case is that justice was delayed for more than two decades.

We suppose there can be only one real tragedy, eh?

Previous Comments

ID
89419
Comment

As far as I'm concerned, Wilcher got what he deserved. The heinous crime he committed was worthy of the death penalty IMHO. Just as Bush and most of his administration should be put to death for their heinous war crimes. Usual Disclaimer: This is my own personal opinion and does not reflect the opinion of Equality Mississippi as an organization.

Author
Jo-D
Date
2006-10-18T19:09:03-06:00
ID
89420
Comment

Going to war isn't a death-penalty offense, and "war crimes" are usually difficult to prove. I loved the quote from today's CL about Wilcher "Finding a reason to live" at the last minute, in explantion of his sudden appeals. Too bad he didn't think about the penalties when he murdered those two poor women in '81. Can't do the time, don't do the crime. I'm not fond of the death penalty, but it's easy to avoid.

Author
Ironghost
Date
2006-10-18T19:23:59-06:00
ID
89421
Comment

Going to war without cause and causing thousands of people to be killed is, to me anyway, worthy of the death penalty. I'll save the rest for a thread about such. Wilcher admitted, publicly, numerous times that he killed those 2 women and that he enjoyed it. Yeah, what he got at 6:42 PM this evening, he deserved. I'm not for death when there is reasonable doubt, DNA evidence, etc. but this man did it. He admitted it. He enjoyed it. That's clear cut for him to die. I say good riddance.

Author
Jo-D
Date
2006-10-18T19:33:06-06:00
ID
89422
Comment

I'm not comfortable giving the government the authority to decide which of its citizens it wants to kill--and I wouldn't want to see Bush and company executed, either. The "real tragedy" in this case is that, confronted with murder, the government has once again responded with murder. Cheers, TH

Author
Tom Head
Date
2006-10-18T20:01:21-06:00
ID
89423
Comment

Yet, the supporterss of capital punishment don't seem or don't want to understand the hypocrisy of taking a life. I never figured out how it's wrong for someone to take a life, but the government (which is run by human beings) can. And what's so Christian about wanting someone being put to death?

Author
golden eagle
Date
2006-10-18T20:51:22-06:00
ID
89424
Comment

I think it's the old "eye for an eye" thing. Peace on earth is a pipe dream right now... one which will not be acheived in my lifetime. I just pray that my children can see it happen.

Author
Lady Havoc
Date
2006-10-18T20:54:28-06:00
ID
89425
Comment

State sponsered murder has always bothered me. WHo get's selected? This guy was a sleaze, no doubt. But, ever been in a courtroom and you know it's not about the truth or right and wrong. It's about what side puts on the best show. There are worse fates than death. Try locked in a rat cage 23 hrs a day with TV replay of the victims families. Lest y'all think this is a wrant of a Dean follower, my politics lie to the right of so called Conservatives.

Author
Doc Rogers
Date
2006-10-18T21:19:07-06:00
ID
89426
Comment

I was in the courtroom when Mr. Wilcher asked Judge Wingate to let him abandon his appeals (which Wilcher characterized as "begging appeals" - designed solely to waste time) and move forward with the setting of his execution date. His attorney had been out of the country for quite some time, and he truly seemed to have come to an understanding of his punishment and desired for the delay to end. His attorney (through another attorney) pushed for the appeals to continue, which is something Wilcher made plain he did not want. I've spent some time with two men who were on death row at Angola. I had the opportunity to speak frankly with them about their crimes and their punishment. Both had taken a long road to get to where they were, and they both stated that if they were ever released or able to escape, they would likely commit more of their crimes. Both of them - men who were to be killed by the state - supported and understood that there was a need for the death penalty. The death penalty has a place. I don't think, however, that allowing any person convicted of a crime the full ability to pursue appeal to the extent they desire is a tragedy.

Author
hmg
Date
2006-10-19T09:27:09-06:00
ID
89427
Comment

This may be an odd question, but why did the news media have to report what Wilcher's last meal consisted of? WJTV had a graphic up with a list of what he ate. Is that a common request by the public or something? Personally, the fact that he had french fries and onion rings is of no importance to me.

Author
LatashaWillis
Date
2006-10-19T13:46:48-06:00
ID
89428
Comment

There is a weird fascination of what a condemned person chooses for their last meal. There's even a website: http://www.deadmaneating.com/dmearch.html . It lists last meals, requests, and final words of the condemned. There are people who are interested in this sort of thing.

Author
Lady Havoc
Date
2006-10-19T14:11:09-06:00
ID
89429
Comment

Oh, and L.W.: that was not a odd question. There are only odd answers... lke mine, for example!

Author
Lady Havoc
Date
2006-10-19T14:12:13-06:00
ID
89430
Comment

Thanks, Lady. It all makes more sense now since there are people who actually want to know.

Author
LatashaWillis
Date
2006-10-19T22:01:55-06:00

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