Excuse My Language but, This is a CROCK OF MFBS!!

I cant believe a Republican did this!!

CHICAGO Jan. 11 —

Calling the death penalty process "arbitrary and capricious, and therefore immoral," Gov. George Ryan commuted the sentences of 167 condemned inmates Saturday, clearing Illinois' death row in a move unprecedented in scale in U.S. history.

Ryan's action, just two days before he leaves office, drew immediate angry reaction from prosecutors, the incoming governor and relatives of some of the victims.

Ryan said he sympathized with the families of the men, women and children who had been murdered, but he felt he had to act.

"I am not prepared to take the risk that we may execute an innocent person," he wrote in an overnight letter to the victims' families warning them of his plans.

Makes Me SICK!!

Mag

I guess the decision of a jury of the cnvicts' peers doesn't count for much in Illiois.....It is sad. Those of you in our neigboring state to the south, please remember this action on election day.

Ryan's tenure as Gov. of Illinois ends on Monday. He chose not to run for re-election long ago when he lost the support of his party. He also will soon be indicted in "license's for bribes scheme" that occurred under his watch while serving as the Secretary of State prior to being elected Gov. of Illinois. Kind of ironic that he soon will be judged by the same system of justice that he deems faulty!

What an idiot.

Before you pass judgement on the Guv, I suggest you research the history on this. There were some shady dealings on law enforcements part.

what a shame some of you will not get to read about an execution in illinois. i'll bet none of you heard his speech.

CJBully, these blood suckers know nothing about the merits of the cases, they just flat out want death.

eleltea, shame.

the man did an honorable thing.

The Guv found fault in the findings of ALL the jurys?? There were questions concerning the merits of ALL the cases??

Mag, This is amazing considering his views before when elected. I can understand the 4 he commuted last week as maybe something was left out or evidence tampered but to commute everyone is downright a slap in the face of justice. So go out and commit any haneous crime you wish and be sentenced by a jury of your peers.. we will let you off! Guess that is the message Clinton sent out during his term as well!

To let these guys off as a mass is wrong!!! This is important enough to take the time to do it on an individual case basis. These guys are probably all murderers and shouldnt be let off the hook.

If one of your family members was killed, you would want and deserve the individual case consideration.

Just my opinion.

Mag

RknRmnd, I agree with you position in this case also.

Mag

Yep Yep... I Agree!!! WRONG WRONG WRONG!!!!

Todog

Ryan is still on the Hotseat for the License For Bribe... he and Castro have made a pretty good pact a buddy of mine just said the other day... keep an eye out for a Casa D Ryan..safehaven in Cuba... as far as the deathrow inmates.. doesn't this sound O So Familuar??? what did our Buddy Billy Boy do just as he was leaving office of the United States??? besides tear up the Whitehouse...He Pardoned all those Con's

I think when these Officials are Guilty as Sin they feel it there duty to forgive the Criminals LMAO!!!!

No Ricky I'm not one to want to watch Justice be done... I'm one who feels its his God Givin Right to Bear Arms and be equal to the Criminal who wants to disrupt one's family...I'd drop the Hammer on the Scum sucker in a Heartbeat and save tax payers thousands of dollors not having to house and feed em!!!!!! and the suffering of the victims

Hog

Rick, You are wrong and don't pretend that you even know the whole issue here in Illinois. Gov. Ryan promised to review each of the cases(167) individually and instead waffled and commuted all of them with out even an attempt at review and instead attempted to turn the focus away from his own future criminal indictment in the "license for bribery scandal that he presided over while Secretary of State. Do you know anything about the merits of each and every one of theses 167 cases. I think not. Before you resort to calling us "bloodsuckers", you might want to look in that cracked mirror and find an individual who is not as omniscient as you pretend to let on!

Maybe the four being commuted would be ok since evidence seems to point to some mistakes, cover ups, etc!!! But, the other 100 plus?!??!?? Who could have given their victims the right to live and breath! These slime, who will kill again if given the chance! This sucks and to think Ryan claims to be a Republican!

Illinois should be real proud, at least someone other than California did such a silly thing!

Charlie

Come on now guys,you really shouldn't try to cloud Richards mind with anything like the facts. Lord knows it's cloudy enough in there already !

If the Governor is going to commute sentences then why even bother sitting on a jury? He's setting a bad precedent and making it hard on the entire judicial process from the police forces to the D.A.'s office! It's a travisty of justice. I think this guy will be a one-termer with "brainstorms" like this!

Todog

bloodsuckers was the correct word. we are the only "civilized" country that still uses the death penalty.

it does not prevent crimes that are going to happen.

i'll bet none of you have a personal interest in any of the cases.

it is only for revenge by the uncivilized.

Ricky Ricky Ricky... you need to get out more... or better yet look up Judicial Justice in other country's right there from the safty of your own puter chair.. you will find it astonishing that in Countries like Saudi Arabia,Kuwait,Yeman,ETC.. A Criminal will get there just rewards... if one steals they lose one of there fingers (From the Right Hand)a second offence they lose there (Right Hand)3 Offence is Death allot of times it does not get as far as #2 or 3 because in those Countries it is Offensive to make jestures with your left hand.. and with something wrong with there right is something they have to live with the rest of there life so others who meet or come in contact know this man/woman have commited a crime.. they also Impose the strictest Death Penalties in these Countries

Public Executions... so who evers family member that is who commited such a crime all can see... the crime rate is pretty low in these countries...and in other countries you need to view also... then make statments like Bloodsuckers to fellow Americans... it seems to me you are still bitter over America and Americanizm as a whole...I am just Glad God made sure while you was serving your Country you didn't end up side by side (in a Trench)with somebody who gave a **** during Korea or Vietnam and your tour was short...

Hog

Rick, do you think it would be just for the unrepentant Adolph Eichman to still be alive and playing chess with his cellmates and enjoying afternoon strolls in the sunshine? What kind of justice would that be?

As a proponent of the death penalty, and a moderately conservative Republican, I applaud this Governor. The historical basis for setting aside the sentences (documented abuses by a few corrupt policeman who coerced confessions with use of torture) seems to warrant the tough and courageous decision on his part.

As to setting all of them aside, well, that may be a little over board; however, where there are several bad cases, who's to say that they all aren't bad? The man obviously wants nothing on his conscious when his lights go out.

justforfun, these 167 death row inmates, killed 250 people!

For each one of those killed, if they were like most good people, had dozens of Family, friends, co-workers, neighbors affected & deeply hurt.

I have a very good neighbor that died, who had over 400 people at his funeral!

The murder of 167 people could have caused thousands of people pain & suffering!

This is a touchy situation. Respect must be given to the possibility of wrong sentencing. But it MUST be done on an individual case basis. There is NO WAY that this state could have a "policy" of condeming murderers! You would have to pay off citizens chosen for jury duty. Thats CRAZY!!

Like I said earlier, put yourself in the shoes of a close family member or spouse of one of the murdered. You would expect the individual investigation of the case, unless it is very obvious the prisioner is guilty. Then we shouldnt even waste our time.

Mag