Cheshire Connecticut Home Invasion Trial - Is Death Too Good for Steven Hayes?
Whether or not Steven Hayes will be sentenced to death will be decided soon - the case has gone to the jury. Of particular interest, the closing arguments of defense counsel reported in the New York Times as suggesting to the jury that the worst punishment they could give the defendant would be life in prison, not death.
Some might scoff at this - a defense lawyer's trick, just so much balderdash. What could be worse than the death sentence? Lots of folk want Hayes to die for the Petit killings. Death seems the optimal sentence for them.
However, consider what the defense attorney said with knowledge of the realities of living decades behind bars in a maximum security facility (where Hayes would likely reside) perhaps the death sentence does gain a different perspective.
Being confined to a small cell with a severely limited life -- many go mad. Life without parole isn't a reprieve. It is a serious, severe, harsh punishment.
Connecticut allows conjugal visitation programs, also known as the Extended Family Visit. While in prison, Hayes will have food, exercise, books, entertainment, & health care. Hayes may also possibly have Extended Family Visits.
I hardly call the above suitable punishment for rape, murder, assault, robbery and tying two living children to their beds, pouring gasoline on them, and setting them on fire. It was a horrible, painful, terrifying way for those children to die.
Justice demands DEATH for Hayes.
The problem with sending Steven Hayes to prison is the cost. I do not want to pay one cent towards the upkeep for this man who will have more privileges in prison than many moral citizens who are struggling just to feed their families!