Philadelphia Daily News
Thursday, May 30, 2002

Letters to the Editor

Puncturing Smerconish's argument

RE MICHAEL SMERCONISH'S open letter to Vickie Schieber (May 23):

His statement comparing killing in self-defense to state-run executions is transparently shallow. The first is an act of desperate necessity; the other is not.

You can argue that the death penalty is "needed" to deter others, but no study has been able to attribute any deterrence effect to the execution of convicted criminals.

And I note with amusement his statement that the feelings of the victim's family should not govern the actions of the state in levying punishment. I agree; indeed, that argument is used most often by anti-death-penalty advocates who argue that feelings of anger and a thirst for vengeance should not drive the decisions of our justice system.

Normally, the families of victims raise the hue and cry for blood. Unfortunately for Smerconish, Vickie Schieber has proven to be a fly in the ointment. I've little doubt that had she railed for blood, Smerconish would have implored that the justice system heed her demands.

Neil McGarry, Philadelphia

Philadelphia prosecutors have decided to spare Troy Graves' life if he gives information on the Shannon Scheiber murder. Spare his life? To even suggest that this disgusting man's life should be spared for giving information is ludicrous.

Cheryl Gilbert, Collingswood, N.J.

In the interests of saving money on a civil suit, the Center City rapist will be spared the death penalty. What a disgrace.

Thomas G. Lutek, Philadelphia