Compassion for Who?

Mr. Shaw’s opinion column on capital punishment was fascinating. Over the years, most people have either known of, or been affected by, violent crime. How to deal with it effectively and compassionately is a difficult societal question. Capital punishment and the death sentence seem harsh and is often against one's religion or moral beliefs. But the bottom line is whose life deserves to be saved? Do you become a martyr or defend what is just and right?

The criminals Mr. Shaw speaks of have chosen to commit the heinous crimes they are convicted of in almost all cases. The cost to spare their life is much greater than $519,000 on average! The cost extends to the victim's families for all of those years in ongoing court proceedings and hearings and testimony to keep the perpetrator behind bars. Recidivism multiplies this cost by involving more victims and families. The judicial system compassionately supports efforts to parole and reduce sentences, allowing recidivism and further victims. I can’t imagine my opinion on this subject being based on a movie starring two Hollywood liberal activists like Sean Penn and Susan Sarandon.

The question really is who’s life do we spare? In the summer of 2002, a young college girl from K State University, Ali Kemp, was brutally raped and strangled to death at a neighborhood swimming pool in Leawood, KS. The crime occurred blocks from our house where I raised four children. Her father Roger Kemp relentlessly pursued finding the perpetrator. Many years later this led to the arrest and conviction of Benjamin Appleby. He is now serving 50 years in prison since he legally escaped the death penalty. Roger Kemp established a national foundation to train young women to defend themselves from aggressors. Roger is now dead, but the murderer Benjamin Appleby lives on, totally supported by taxpayers. He continues to press for early release with the legal systems backing. Who’s lives are sacrificed?