Don't Make Me Call Maury Povich Up in Here

Intuitively, I think we all know it has happened. Proving it happened may compel some of those Americans who support the death penalty to reconsider. Guess what folks – our justice system is a human creation maintained and carried forward by human beings. It is, as a matter of law (pun intended), imperfect. We make decisions in courtrooms the same way we make decisions in life. Our perspectives are flawed. We are biased. We have visceral responses. If you’re on the fence about the death penalty, let the prospect of an innocent man (and deep down you know there are others) executed turn your heart away from this heinous practice.

And folks are starting to see the light. As the linked article notes, in 1994 80% of Americans supported the death penalty, and today 64% support it. Things are trending in the right direction.

Last, it’s not entirely clear that Coleman is innocent (he sure looks like he’s up to something…), and he isn’t exactly squeaky clean. But I for one support running the test to find out for sure. If he is proven innocent, perhaps it will compel a public dialogue on whether we can/should provide a “justice” system which executes our citizens. If he is proven guilty, well…I’d still like to have that dialogue…