Make a Case for Dylan Roof

[Scrounger]

As you know Dylan Roof was sentenced to life without parole for the church parishioners he slaughtered in South Carolina. Then the feds put him on death row for "hate crimes."

I'm conflicted on this one:

In my mind, it would have been appropriate for Roof to get the death penalty for the murders. How do we justify giving someone the death penalty for a "hate crime?" If he's been sentenced at the state level, aren't the feds using the "hate crime" pretext as a way of subjecting Roof to double jeopardy?

Roof is going to fry. I'm just conflicted about the "hate crime" charge and the precedent it might be setting. Anybody want to share their perspective?

[Mini Me]

If you haven't commited a hate crime, then you have nothing to fear!

[The Xl]

The kid should fry, but I don't like the way it has been gone about. Reeks of bad precedent and abuse of power.

[exotix]

Today

Charleston Shooter Dylann Roof Moved to Death Row in Terre Haute Federal Prison

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/cha...ederal-n749671


Convicted church shooter Dylann Roof has been transferred to death row at Terre Haute Federal Prison in Indiana — the facility that houses male inmates awaiting execution under the federal government.

Roof, the first person to be convicted of a federal hate crime and sentenced to the death penalty, was removed from custody in Al Cannon Detention Center in North Charleston, South Carolina, on Friday and transferred to Terre Haute, prison records show.


Terre Haute, a medium-security prison where inmates are put to death by lethal injection, currently houses 1,338 inmates.

[Scrounger]

If you haven't commited a hate crime, then you have nothing to fear!

How would anyone know what is in the mind of another person? Suppose a person kills out of fear as opposed to hate? I'm not saying that fear is justification in every instance - Hell, it may be totally unfounded. What if a racist kills someone because they are xenophobic, not necessarily motivated by hate per se?

[FindersKeepers]

The "hate crime" designation is ridiculous.

Most murders ARE committed by people who are hateful or full of rage.

Roof should face the death penalty -- not because his thoughts were hateful, but because his act resulted in the deaths of innocent people.

[Standing Wolf]

Sentencing enhancements, such as are imposed in the case of hate crimes, are like any other legal recognition that aggravating circumstances can and should increase the penalty. In some ways, it is similar to the way in which a murder committed during an act of terrorism is dealt with differently than one that is not. Attacking, injuring, maiming or killing a police officer is, in many if not most jurisdictions, cause for imposing an enhanced sentence - as is committing a crime while out on bail, probation or parole; or when the convicted party shows no remorse; has a history of such crimes; or when the crime committed was especially heinous in nature and execution.

[Scrounger]

Sentencing enhancements, such as are imposed in the case of hate crimes, are like any other legal recognition that aggravating circumstances can and should increase the penalty. In some ways, it is similar to the way in which a murder committed during an act of terrorism is dealt with differently than one that is not. Attacking, injuring, maiming or killing a police officer is, in many if not most jurisdictions, cause for imposing an enhanced sentence - as is committing a crime while out on bail, probation or parole; or when the convicted party shows no remorse; has a history of such crimes; or when the crime committed was especially heinous in nature and execution.

Somehow, I didn't articulate my concern. Don't you think the hate crime should have been a part of the original charges in state court and not a separate charge that were later prosecuted in federal court?

[resister]

I agree it reeks of double jeopardy.

[resister]

If you haven't commited a hate crime, then you have nothing to fear!

​Thought crimes come next!