What a shame. Just as South Dakota stood up for the life of unborn children, too.
From Stella Borealis:
Elijah Page could become the first person put to death in South Dakota since 1947, which is something the Catholic church is anxious to prevent. [snip] KELOLand
(...)
He wants to be put to death and a judge has told Elijah Page he will grant that request.
Page is on death row for the March 2000 slaying of Chester Poage, Page and two other men beat, stabbed, tortured and finally murdered the 19-year-old Spearfish man.
The death of lethal injection is scheduled for the week of August 28th. And the case is now stirring up strong emotions from outside the courtroom.
From KELOLand
Sr. Mary Ann Walsh, spokesperson for the U.S. Bishops says, "It's like a step backwards in time."
Church leaders say a justice system that allows for the taking of a human life doesn't send the message that killing itself is wrong.
Walsh says, "The church is very strong that you don't need the death penalty to protect society. Today in our criminal justice system we're able to protect society through our prison system."
She says the fact that Page is asking to die makes the church question his mental state.
Walsh says, "The desire to live is a basic desire. If someone says I want to give it all up that suggests they aren't operating in the right frame of mine."
And she says this kind of protest isn't about crossing a line between church and state.
She says, "This is more than a political matter. This is a matter of the direction of society. The church is a major force in society and it has a role in helping society reach its moral goals."
I'm surprised that such a Red State like South Dakota hasn't executed anyone since 1947. Perhaps they just don't have that much crime.
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