t comes as no surprise. While many prisoners continue long and sometimes frivolous suits proclaiming their innocence and asking for departures from the sentencing courts sentence, Page has requested the opposite: to be put immediately to death.

The problem here is more from a crime and punishment standpoint than an ethical one. While Page committed a grisly act, his accountability has been minimal for his actions. The reality being spoken is clear, and one that is somewhat strange. The mandate that Page is setting will be a new standard for martyrs. The message is clear: You can kill another human being, spend a few years in prison, and be put to death thereby ending your own suffering.

As a society built around consequence and accountability for actions, I don’t see how this is at all accountability for any action Page is being held responsible for. I don’t see how putting Page to death is in anyway accountability for his actions, moreover, I believe it’s an injustice.

The severity of the sentencing courts sentence is determined by a number of factors, including mediating circumstance, criminal history, and the nature of the crime. The Courts are well aware of the condition of South Dakota prisons and the punishment a prisoner will face when arriving there. In this case, it seems the Court has agreed to allow Page to “bail himself out” by exchanging the condition of his confinement with his life. This removes any accountability he may have faced for the crime he committed and the life he took away. In total, Page spent less than ten years in prison for taking someone else’s life.

I don’t believe a death sentence fits the crime, I believe that the sentence is accordingly disproportionately weighted in favor of the defendant.

The Pro-life Perspective

The pro-life perspective would concur with this opinion. As a pro-life supporter and advocate, I also believe that the Courts decision to execute Page is inconsistent with the nature of humanity and grace. In society, we do, but shouldn’t, have an “eye-for-an-eye” mentality. Page committed the horrendous act of murder. He should be held accountable for his actions, and not be allowed to escape that accountability by death.

From an ethics standpoint, it seems strange to think that if you kill, you’ll be killed. That is similar to the thought “if I steal from you – it’s okay for you to steal from me”. What message are the courts really sending here?

This week, South Dakota took a giant step back to a place where crime is not punished, but escaped.

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Christopher J. Donahue - MCSE - MCDBA

Rapid City Journal – Online

507 Main Street

Rapid City, South Dakota 57701

Telephone: 605-394-8358

Chris.donahue@rapidcityjournal.com

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NOTE: Law number seven of the Laws of God and the Creation states: You shall not murder your fellow man. Phoenix Journal #27 pp. 29-30. PHB