...Dead man walking is a controversial film, directed by Tim Robbins, and cast include Susan Sarandon (Sister Helen Prejan) and Sean Penn (Mathew Poncelet). Dead man walking follows an epic experience of a nun, Sister Prejan, with a convicted murderer and rapist, Mathew Poncelet. The movie debates many complex political, religious and ethical issues concerning capital punishment, going through the experience and knowledge of the movie cast. Yet, it intelligently criticizes the law of capital punishment and describes it as an immoral and injustice act of murder. furthermore, Mathew Poncelet who faces death penalty is constantly seen to be facing some form of torture and denial from the society; his life becomes an instrument of the political world while he constantly tries to save himself but fails; however, Mathew’s death brilliantly questions the legitimacy of the death penalty law. The movie criticizes the injustice role of the government on the death penalty law, describing it as propaganda by the government to raise support in expense of a human being’s life. This is particularly evident in the start of the movie, when the governor is shown speaking to supporters and ordering the death of Mathew Poncelet. Although Mathew receives the news of his death, we see him fighting for his life in courts. In the pardon board scene, which is described as being appointees of the governor with enormous power, shown mostly in close up shots, seemed not interested in considering Mathew’s...
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...related murders ravaged the area of Flagstaff, Arizona. On March 14, 2009, Stewart retained the services of Careful and Cautious, LLP, during the initial consultation; Stewart told James Careful the following: “Well, Mr. Careful, the truth is that I’m behind the six recent murders in the area. I’m really a good guy and I hate to kill people. But sometimes, I just can’t help myself. I don’t want to continue killing people but these voices in my head… they’re just so logical and irresistible.” James Careful then contacted the local police and reported his conversation with Stewart. Stewart was arrested for capital murder. At trial, James Careful testified against him. Careful related the entire March 14 conversation to the jury. Stewart was eventually found guilty of six counts of capital murder and was sentenced to death. Issue The issue is whether or not Stewart can petition for a writ of habeas corpus and whether or not Mr. Careful violated the attorney-client confidentiality privilege. Rule The ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct (ABA MPRC) has changed the landscape of attorney-client relations by creating an exception to confidentiality. Under the MRPC Rule 1.6(b) (1) a lawyer may "reveal" or "use" confidential information "to prevent reasonably certain death or substantial bodily harm.” McClure v. Thompson, 323 F.3d 1233 (9th Cir. Or. 2003) Petitioner sought habeas corpus relief pursuant to 28 U.S.C.S. § 2254 after being convicted for three aggravated murders. Petitioner...
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...government known as “original jurisdiction” actions, cases from state courts, and cases brought up of reviewable decisions made in federal appellate or district courts ("Supreme Court Historical Society ", n.d.). The case being used for this paper has two separate cases involved, but I will only be using one as a reference. The two cases in which were brought to the United States Supreme Court together are very similar and involve teens being given life sentences without the possibility of parole for committing murder. The United States Supreme Courts case number is 10-9646, Miller v. Alabama. This case was brought to the United States Supreme Court on 20, March 2012, involving two fourteen year old boys, whom were found guilty of murder in two separate cases, and also from two separate states, one being Alabama and the other being that of Arkansas. With in each of these cases one of the boys did the killing and in the other the boy was an accessory to murder. Each boy was sentenced to a mandatory term of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. One case involved a burglary that ended with the store clerk being shot and killed, while the other involved a case of arson. These cases outlined will test the Supreme Court’s past rulings in the determination of teens not being small adults and...
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...town for dressing in all black and listening to rock music. The next arrest was made on Jessie Misskelley, a friend Echols, who was coerced into falsely confessing his guilt. The final arrest was made with Jason Baldwin, yet another associate of Echols. The three boys became known nationally as the West Memphis Three (WM3). The boys had rumors around town saying that they participated in Wiccan circles and Satanic rituals. Many believed that the murder of the three eight year olds’ was for a Satanic ritual that Echols, Misskelley and Baldwin were participating in. Even with a complete lack of circumstantial evidence from police, Jessie MIsskelley, at the age of just 17, was found guilty on one count of first degree capital murder and two counts of second degree murder and was sentenced to life in imprisonment without parole. Jason Baldwin was found guilty on three counts of capital murder. The 16 year old was sentenced to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 40 years. Damien Echols was found guilty on three counts of capital murder and was sentenced to death by lethal injection. (Steel, “The West Memphis Three”). The town was convinced they had found and put away the killers, but the rest of the world was not so sure. Many people protested against the boys containment, including famous musicians from around the world. In 2007, with new technology, DNA evidence was recovered that showed the boys had no link to the case whatsoever. (Weinstein, “Lawyers file DNA motion in...
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..."mysterious" have become routine to describe the growing phenomenon. It is imperative to develop a workable solution and general understanding of these predators in human form as a new wave of serial murders reach crisis rates in this millennium. More than fifteen-hundred serial killers are on record at this time. Though serial murder is not "new", the numbers have gone up in recent years. From 1900 to 1959 the U.S. reported about two serial murder cases a year. By 1969, six cases per year were logged. During the 1970s that number tripled. "An average of three per month have been reported since 1985."(Newton 120). It is still not determined why serial killers kill, however, understanding the causes and recognizing the traits of a serial murderer will help the public better prevent and protect themselves from falling victim to a serial killer. North America has produced eighty percent of serial killers. Europe runs a distant second with a mere sixteen percent, and Third World nations spawn four percent of the world's known serial killers, but recent numbers from South Africa and Latin America are beginning to alter those statistics. "Though the U.S. has only about 5 percent of the world population, it has produced 76 percent of known serial killers since 1900" (Apsche 76). Serial murder is a national problem in America and authorities are beginning to develop techniques to track, identify, and capture these predators. Psychological profiling, DNA testing and violent criminal data...
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...Wrongs? Public attitudes towards moral values. Stephen Rule Are South Africans apathetic about their beliefs or highly tolerant of diverse opinions and behaviour? South Africa is renowned for having one of the most liberal constitutions in the world, but an HSRC representative national survey of 4 980 adults (aged 16 and older) during September and October 2003, indicates that Government policy on “moral” issues is more “progressive” than the attitudes of the electorate. Since the 1994 change of Government, the Termination of Pregnancy Act has been passed to permit abortion. Similarly, discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and capital punishment for persons found guilty of murder, have been made unconstitutional. But according to the survey, most South Africans oppose abortion, same-sex adult sexual relationships and support capital punishment. All three issues are, however, hotly contested in civil society. Pro-life activists are objecting strongly to the termination of 300 000 pregnancies since 1996. Divisions exist within the Christian community with respect to consensual sex between adults of the same gender. The re-introduction of the death penalty is policy for several political parties. Public opinion gauged by the HSRC’s 2003 South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS) reflects this contestation. More than half (56%) of South African adults think that abortion is “always wrong” in the event of it being discovered that there is a strong chance of serious defect...
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...Essay I – on two of the Ten Commandments I chose the Fourth and the Fifth Commandment for my essay, because they are the most important to me. Our society is still based on the commandments and therefore they set a big part in our life. The Commandments can be considered whether exegetical, or hermeneutical. The Fourth Commandment in Exodus 20:12 is: “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” Mainly, honoring your parents means obey them when you are young and to take care of them when you mature, (Chan 74 -75). I have never thought about that the Fourth Commandment, it also demonstrates an important relationship between God and parents (Chan 74). Moreover, related to the covenant, the Fourth Commandment means that honoring the parent’s effects having a long life in the Promised Land, accordingly it is based on reciprocity (Chan 76). Furthermore, teaching and showing the own children how to behave to their parents and thus you treat your parents how you want to be treated by your own children (Chan 76). At that time, this commandment was very important, because old people who were not able to work anymore, they were dependent on their children, thus it was indispensable to their lives. Moreover, the commandment shows that the family is important and that women and men are equal, so it shows a big part of the community (Chan 76). Therefore, the effect of to honor the parents also contains “blessings...
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...http://all-that-is-interesting.com/infamous-female-criminals-killers/2 http://all-that-is-interesting.com/infamous-female-criminals-killers/2 | Aileen Wuornos: In the Mind of a Serial Killer | By: Ashlee Pickard | | Criminal Investigations 2013 | 12/4/2013 | Aileen Wuornos was a serial killer who was executed in 2002 for murdering six men. Before she began to kill, Aileen Wuornos was a prostitute for several years. Since a life of prostitution was not providing the type of life she had hoped, Aileen decided that she would start robbing and murdering innocent men. | “I am a serial killer. I would kill again. I’m one who seriously hates human life and would kill again,” are the famous words of Aileen Wuornos during her trial as she was frustrated and infuriated (biography.com). Serial killers come in all shapes and sizes, races and genders. In the United States, serial killers are predominately white men, however, there are still women serial killers and they can be just as vicious as male serial killers. Few people associate women as being vicious and violent killers because of the misconception that women are sensitive, nurturing, and compassionate. Many women serials killers such as Aileen Wuornos use this misconception in an attempt to lure their victims and brutally kill them. Aileen Wuornos is considered the first women serial killer because she was the first woman to fit the FBI’s profile of a serial killer. The term “female serial killer” was definitely...
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...(Popcornflix, 2015). Her third victim was Charles Carskaddon, found on June 6, 1990, he was a 40-year-old part-time rodeo worker. He was shot nine times in the chest and abdomen area. In the process of her killings, she tried to keep Tyra happy and, as long as the money continued to roll in, Tyra was there by her side. The fourth person murdered was Peter Siems, a 65-year-old retired merchant seaman. His body was never located; however, the police did find his car on July 4, 1990. The next victim was Troy Burress, a 50-year-old meat salesman was first reported missing on July 31, 1990. It was not until August 4, 1990, Troy’s decomposed body was discovered along a Florida state road with two gunshot wounds ("Case of Aileen Wuornos - The Facts | Capital Punishment in Context," 2017). The sixth victim, 56-year-old Charles “Dick” Humphreys discovered on September 12, 1990, he was a retired Police Chief, U.S Air force (What?), and...
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...Most Americans know that adolescents dabble with drugs and minor offenses. However, what about murder. Chicago has become the murder capital of the United States almost all of the murders occurred in African American communities according to (Chicago Tribune 2012). Chicago had 506 homicides in the past year and of that 243 of the victims were under the age of 25(Chicago Tribune 2012). This has become a very scary epidemic. With no good appraisals acted on to stop the problem. I propose some good strategic actions that could help slow the murder rate down in Chicago. To begin working on the problem. Understanding who is creating the violence is key. Most violence in Chicago is gang related. Being that Chicago has always been known for their notorious gangsters stated by (Williams 2). But what has allowed the numbers of deaths grow is how these teens think today. As if it’s every man for himself (Williams 2). Growing up on Chicago Southside I know and understand the violence. The majority of the deaths is returned and received by young black boys. Most of them come from single-mother homes. Like many cases their mom can’t provide much financial stability. This is the first factor that sends a young boy in the streets of the Chicago. If you see your mother struggling. You go out and find a way to get money. These young boys are not going out to find minimum wage jobs. Simply because it takes too long or they don’t look the part. Fast money is the motive. They learn the ways...
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...Non-Criminal A homicide, whether it is accidental or intentional, can tear a family apart. The results of such a tragedy not only affect the family, but trickle down to friends, co-workers and even a whole community. A homicide is defined as “the killing of a human being by another human being.”(Schmalleger & Hall, 2014, p. 210) Under early common law, established by English courts, homicide was either felonious or non-felonious. Justifiable homicide and excusable homicide were considered non-felonious and felonious homicide was distinguished as murder. U.S. courts adopted English common law, and as time went on, modified felonious or criminal homicide into various categories. Today there are three types of homicide. They are justifiable, excusable, and criminal. Justifiable homicide and excusable homicide are considered noncriminal homicides. Criminal homicide can be further broken down into three categories, murder, manslaughter, and negligent homicide. According to the Bureau of Statistics, the homicide rate in the United States has declined since 2000 and has fallen to levels last seen back in the 1960’s. (bjs.gov) Males represent the highest percentage of victims, and the percentage of men who were the victims of a homicide is three times higher than that of a female victim. Men are also the majority of the offenders in a criminal homicide. (bjs.gov) Homicide rates can, of course, vary per state; Louisiana has the highest rate, with Iowa having the lowest...
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...Chris Kyle: The Greatest Sniper of all Time Chris Kyle is no stranger to the American society. Especially to the patriotic Americans at least. Chris Kyle is considered a hero in American society, he is known as the most deadliest marksman with a long rifle. Chris Kyle was not there putting his life on the line to save himself from death, he was doing it for his family,his country, but he mostly was doing it for his brothers fighting next to him in the line of fire. In Micheal, J, money’s article “The legend of Chris Kyle” it's says “Chris Kyle (A.K.A) The legend was so large Because he wants to personally protect all of his brothers in combat. Chris Kyle was always out to help others. He was like a open book, all of his knowledge he would share to teach others to become a better person. Whether it was giving some tips for life, or it was tips to help someone become a better marksman, he tried to help that person as much as he was fully capable of helping. People didn't always make Chris Kyle look good or make it look as he’s the good guy. Many people called Chris Kyle a psychopath, a hate-filled nazi, and a coward. Chris kyle was not in too much politics until after he was murdered.. Chris was murdered murdered at a gun range helping a wounded marine that was supposedly was suffering with post traumatic stress disorder. Chris Kyle trial happened in 2015, two years after his death. Before Chris kyle was murdered he was able to write and publish to books. The...
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...Life without parole is the harshest punishment given to juvenile delinquents. Since minors are still developing, it is argued that life without parole is only used as punishment for extenuating circumstances such as felony homicide. The Supreme Court has ruled that it is unconstitutional to give life without parole to juveniles that commit “non-homicide” crimes (Kaiser 2012). In a recent Supreme Court ruling, a 5-4 vote opposed the mandatory sentencing of life without parole for children ages 18 and under (Savage 2012). This means that state laws need to take age and the nature of the crime into consideration before issuing a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Because of the harsh permanent nature of this punishment, other alternative sentences should be considered when handling juvenile cases. Life without parole should only be used as a last resort based on the individual case. Criminal sentencing is based on the “moral wrong committed” and the debt owed to society (Kaiser 2012). The basis of the law is to gain retribution for the actions, deter future crimes and to rehabilitate existing inmates (Kaiser 2012). Ideally the thought of life without the possibility of parole should be enough to deter anyone from doing a heinous crime. However, many of the prison cells are occupied by inmates with no possibility of parole. This penalty is setting a moral example by making sure that the person is unable to commit the offense again and to decrease the likelihood of...
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...Murder: And all its forms Throughout the criminal justice system, news, and in many other situations the term “murder” is used quite frequently however usually incorrectly. Some people say animals or even trees get murdered, but under the law it is not murder unless a human takes the life of another human. Homicide is a lawful term for any killing of a human being by another human being. Homicide itself is not automatically a crime, some homicides are legal, such as the justifiable killing of a suspect by the police or a killing in self-defense. Unlawful homicides are classified as crimes like murder and manslaughter. This paper will explain the important but often overlooked distinctions between murder and manslaughter, and the different variations of both crimes. When we look at “murder” we must also look at the different degrees of murder which are a reflection of the intent or severity of a certain murder charge. The most common degrees of murder are 1st degree murder and 2nd degree murder and in some cases what we call “capital murder”. Regardless of the label on the degree of the murder committed, the general idea is to increase the punishment with the degree. The more inhumane the killing is, or the motive associated behind the killing, then the greater the punishment and degree is for the murder. We must first understand what murder is: Murder is the killing of one human by another that is intentional, unlawful, and done with “malice aforethought” or in other words...
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... Alabama CJA/354 Miller v. Alabama The United States Supreme Court consists of eight associate justices and one chief justice who are petitioned more than 5,000 times a year to hear various cases (Before the Court in Miller V. Alabama, 2012). At its discretion, the Supreme Court selects which cases they choose to review. Some of the selected cases began in the state court system and others began in the federal court system. On June 25, 2012 the justices of the Supreme Court weighed in on the constitutionality of life without parole for juvenile offenders. The case was Miller v. Alabama and actually included another case, Jackson v Hobbs, as well (2012). Both were criminal cases involving 14 year old boys who were convicted of murder and sentenced to a mandatory sentence of life without parole (2012). In 2009, juvenile courts in the United States handled an estimated 1.5 million delinquency cases that involved juveniles charged with criminal law violations (Knoll & Sickmund, (2012). What made Miller and Jackson so special that the Supreme Court chose to hear the case was their age and the mandatory minimum sentence each of them received at the lower level jurisdictional court. To highlight the significance, a review of the two respective cases is necessary. Additionally, after reading this paper the reader will have a better understanding of what accomplice liability and criminal liability are, and the differences between the various elements of crime, and how liability...
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