In Alabama, Judges Play God
Shonelle Jackson may become the first American to be executed despite a jury’s unanimous vote for life. Paige Williams reports from Alabama.
The fact that a judge in Alabama can override a 12-0 jury decision is mind blowing. The fact that these overrides ramp up during election years is simply depressing.
Also, this quote from the article really rings true.
He went on, “Why have we become a nation that’s just obsessed with punishment? The reason is that we’ve become a fearful nation. The people that were once free and brave are so afraid of something bad happening to them. They’re attracted to politicians who say, ‘I will be tough on crime.’ And if a politician promises to be tough on crime he’s got to have something to show for it.”