Sound Politics Public Blog: RE: Carnation Sextuple Homicide

December 29, 2007

RE: Carnation Sextuple Homicide

I lead my life on generally Christian terms. And I think it is generally noble to want to preserve life. But I think there are certain heinous crimes that cross the line by so far, that they change the ethics of capital punishment in to those of self defense.

Frankly, I can't find a single good reason that Joseph McEnroe or Michele Anderson should not be subject to the death penalty, and as soon as possible. Not only was this murder. And six murders. And on Christmas Eve, and with premeditation, and predatory repose. But a family, two children, execution style, and all most likely for the petty angst of sibling rivalry, small family loans, etc. that almost every family has experienced.

This is a new low in cowardice and selfishness. McEnroe and Anderson were clumsy in there efforts to cover-up, and then fully confessed their crime. If ever there were good reason to deny appeals and limit this to as short a case as possible, this is it. If either one of them pleads insanity, I think I'll vomit.

Maybe it's because I have two small children of the same ages, and it breaks me to the core to consider the even momentary terror those children experienced and the callous and abrupt termination of their lives. Not to mention the four adults.

No matter what religious leaders say, I think this is a prime example of why we absolutely need the death penalty. And these two pathetic humans should be put to death in short order.

Posted by JeffB. at December 29, 2007 12:00 AM | Email This

Comments

1. I am basically agnostic on the death penalty. I do believe in it for heinous crimes against the state, like for 9/11 or the OK City bombing. Other than that, I don't care too much either way. I am not for it, nor against it, usually: as long as we are entirely sure the person is guilty of a heinous crime, I find no legal or ethical problems with it, but I am not out calling for heads.

But I would like to point out an interesting thing I heard Alan Keyes say a long time ago. He said that the death penalty is not a punishment, per se. It is society saying that we have no punishment to fit this crime because it is so heinous, so we hand that person over to the judgment of God.

I think a lot of people, especially non-religious, would disagree. But it's an interesting thing to think about.

Posted by: pudge on December 29, 2007 08:50 AM

2. I suppose that's one way to look at it pudge.

My reasoning is simply that the death penalty will provide us with two things. And especially, in this case, where it was family on family.

One, some societal closure. Why do I think we need that? Because such heinous cases dwell in our minds. We can't believe they really happened. It's like OJ, the gift that keeps on giving.

Two, it's the only possible punishment that mets out equal justice for what was done. Those people sat there in horror, knowing they were about to be executed. Executing Anderson and McEnroe gives them the opportunity to see it from the other end.

I know there's a lot of talk about about deterrence. I don't believe that the deterrence is as important as the punishment. Although, it certainly can't hurt if someone else is able to visualize the death penalty and stop short of committing a string of murders. A retributive justice system is important. It's not enough to return the stolen goods, one has to have a punishment associated with the action.

I don't think that's going to stop the deranged serial killers. But it might make other outcast family members considering murder as a solution to their frustrations, think twice.

Posted by: Jeff B.. on December 29, 2007 09:11 AM

3. Again, I am not arguing against the death penalty at all, but I think life in prison gives pretty good closure. Consider Charlie Manson. Sure, he's still alive, but for the most part, how does it matter to society that he is?

Posted by: pudge on December 29, 2007 10:03 AM

4. We can't put that poor girl to death - heck, she's an orphan and her family was just wiped out...

Oops, is there more to consider?

Posted by: SouthernRoots on December 29, 2007 10:17 AM

5. I see that the PI had to "discontinue comments" on it's Soundoff page pertaining to Carnation killings because the sentiment was running in favor of the death penalty. Someone suggested that they let these two killers go out in front of the Carnation Post Office to see if people were "all talk" about enforcing the Death Penalty if they had to do it personally. Speaking as a local, I have no doubt what would happen and it would not involve talk. People out here still believe in the rule of law, but they are pragmatic enough to realize that the difference between what is legal and what is right can be a huge and justice is rarely served. Ron Sims taught us that with the CAO.

So you let those two murdering creeps out in the streets of Carnation and we will save the State a bunch of money.

Posted by: Smokie on December 30, 2007 09:07 AM

6. pudge,

I think life in prison is good, if the system ends up so broken that the death penalty process ends up costing more than life in prison. But life in prison really isn't enough punishment. That's merely incarceration. It's a gift to get to stay alive and read books in a confined space after killing six people execution style.

For me it is mostly about the punishment for the individuals involved. That is the reasoning behind our retributive and punitive justice system. Deterrence, conflict with religious beliefs, etc. are all secondaries that ignore the primary purpose of the system; punishment.

Posted by: Jeff B.. on December 30, 2007 09:21 AM

7. Anyone who could either watch or put a gun to the head of a young child, yet alone one that they know, and pull the trigger in cold blood, should be put to death. I don't want a dollar of my tax money spent keeping these types alive in jail.

The sooner the better!

Posted by: GS on December 31, 2007 04:44 PM

8. Jeff,

I agree with you on the children. Sometimes I try to think of what they went through and it scares the hell out of me. The little faces...it eats at me every time I go near it. I want to try to understand how someone could do such a thing but damn it to hell, there is no understanding.

Those two do not belong to the human race. I am hesitant to even classify them as animals as most animals of which I am aware do not so murder their young.

I am for the death penalty for them, don't misunderstand. But will that be enough? Is that too gracious for these... these things? Should they (or can they?) be made to suffer in some way they will comprehend?

Beyond the deaths, these two have left deep scars in a family and a community that perhaps not even time may heal. Is a quick death too lenient in this case?

Posted by: pbj on January 2, 2008 12:52 PM

9. pbj,

A lot has been written about our punitive / retributive justice system, and why that is important. You can google Bidinotto and Death Penalty for more info.

If we could guarantee that life in prison would be harsh, and that these two would really suffer, then maybe that would be worse than the death penalty. But the truth is, they will be isolated from the general population, and basically get to read comfortably in a confined space for the rest of their lives. To me, that's not suffering, and more importantly it's not really punitive. Punishment means that these two monsters need to go through something much worse. And that's why I believe they need the death penalty. For it's only that monumental fate, it's accompanying dread, and the uncertainty and finality that will convey the enormity of their horrific actions back to them as true consequences.

I don't care about their apologies to their victims at all, in fact that makes their crimes even worse. My mom died when I was young. Granted it was not in a murder, but, I've lived a great life, and I've moved on from even such a tragedy. These two monsters could have spared the kids, and a lot more. To kill the kids for mercy makes if even more reprehensible.

I have no remorse at all in saying that they absolutely deserve death. And I will only feel a sense of societal justice when they are gone.

Posted by: Jeff B. on January 2, 2008 04:38 PM