Death Penalty in Arkansas

* Re “Arkansas Executes Mother Who Murdered Her 2 Children,” May 3: Regarding the execution (sanctioned murder) of the 28-year-old Christina Riggs, I only have one question for the prosecutors. If, as the law states, it must be proved that the person must be of sound mind to be executed, how can they justify the killing of a woman who killed her own children? Any psychiatrist will tell you that no woman of “sound mind” would ever kill her own child. I am disgusted that this emotionally disturbed young woman, who literally begged to be killed (perhaps another clue as to her mental condition?) had her wish granted so easily.

America should be ashamed that it is one of the only so-called civilized countries that still practices the death penalty. It is barbaric, backwards and does nothing to reduce crime whatsoever. So what is the point exactly? Revenge?

Wake up America, this has to be stopped if you are ever to become a truly civilized nation.

LISA KING

Los Angeles

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How is it that a woman in Arkansas, convicted of capital murder in 1997 and sentenced to death, is ready to be executed within three years? It has always angered me that after someone is given the death penalty, he or she is sent to death row to live for another 14 years while the appeals drag on.

Whether or not one supports the death penalty, if the death penalty is to be a deterrent, then it must be carried out while the crime is still fresh in everyone’s memory, not after the convicted murderer has spent so many years living at taxpayers’ expense, while the victim’s family lives without closure.

Maybe there’s a lesson to be learned in Arkansas.

LAURA JUSTMAN

Agoura Hills