Comments about ‘Senate gives amendment to speed executions a preliminary OK’

Kill them already. From their own actions, they've earned that sentence. Stop wasting time and taxpayer money. Kill them already.

Why do states use all sorts of expensive execution methods anyway? Hanging is great becuase it's dirt cheap, uses natural, eco-friendly products and the rope is reusable. Wow! Sustainable practices can even be found in the way we execute criminals!

What will the legislature take over next...why not just get rid of the executive branch too?

yet again the Utah Senate sets aside logic and reason for emotions and votes.

The Senate did not make the change, but only provided the means in which the citizens of Utah could have their voice heard. Why is it such a bad idea for every voice to be allowed to speak on this?

Why should the death of another person be considered part of "closure" that victims' families "deserve"? What cold comfort. Further, death penalty convictions have been and will very likely continue to be overturned 20 and 30 years after the conviction, the "guilty" proven innocent by DNA evidence, death-bed confessions, and recanting of testimony by key witnesses. Yes, the appeals process takes time and money, but it helps make up for the fact that sometimes we rush to convict and "solve" a heinous crime, in our hurry to reach *that* "closure" for victims' families. Families of those convicted to die for a crime also deserve to know that their loved ones had every opportunity to prove their innocence.

If the state is going to continue to use death as a punishment then proper due process requires a lengthy appeals process so that we are certain we are not executing an innocent person... and its not out of the realm of possibility that this happens. In fact it has happened, is happening, and will continue to happen. Murder by the state should never be a punishment and speaking as someone who has lost people close to me through murder- the death of the criminal brings little absolution.

So let me see if I understand the people of Utah: They don't believe the government is capable or competent in providing health insurance to help keep alive children and families, but they are certain the government can do no wrong when it comes to killing people. Pause and consider where you went wrong as a people...