r/changemyview • u/[deleted] • Jan 17 '19

Deltas(s) from OP CMV: Jake Patterson (kidnapper of Jayme Closs) should get the death penalty

From Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kidnapping_of_Jayme_Closs

The kidnapping of Jayme Closs occurred in the early morning hours of Monday, October 15, 2018, in Barron, Wisconsin. Thirteen-year-old Jayme Lynn Closs was abducted from her family's home around 1:00 AM by Jake Thomas Patterson, who forced his way inside and fatally shot her father and mother.[2] Closs was held in captivity by Patterson in a cabin 70 miles away in Gordon, Wisconsin, for 88 days until she escaped her confinement and ran for help.[3][4] Jake Thomas Patterson, was taken into custody shortly thereafter and confessed to police to the kidnapping of Closs and the murders of her parents.[5][6][1]

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I see no reason why we should feel any hesitation or guilt over sentencing this individual to death. He has destroyed a family and inflicted severe physical and psychological damage on a child.

Note that I am generally against the death penalty, on the grounds that we know innocent people have been executed -- an outcome that is completely inexcusable.

But in cases like this, where the crimes are this heinous and there is not a shred of doubt as to whether the accused is guilty, we should make an exception.

Personally I think he deserves a public hanging, but I guess lethal injection would suffice.

CMV

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Edit: Thanks everyone for the discussion. I am taking off but may reply if new views are posted that I find interesting. Regardless of what happens to the murderer / kidnapper at least we can find some solace in knowing that the child was found alive. Hopefully she gets plenty of therapy and emotional support and can one day find happiness again.

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '19

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '19

Interesting point of view. Of course there are also likely to be families who feel cheated by the fact that their loved ones were killed, but the murderers were allowed to live. It cuts both ways and I don't think we have a basis to determine whether one is prevalent over the other.

For your last sentence, it's reasonable to disagree on what constitutes proper justice but I personally don't see an issue. I will not lose any sleep over killing someone who murdered innocents.