Thread: 21 years for 77 killed?

The sentence seemed shockingly short to me too. Especially since this was more than just murder, it was an act of terrorism. But it's nice to know that the guy is really likely to be in prison for life. Over here he would probably get at least 150 yrs in prison, with exactly the same result.

Michael

77=21 years seems a bit odd, but as our Norwegian friend explained, he might be rotting in there for life. Over here, taking 1 life will get you hanged...let alone 77. Owning a gun without permit will also get you a death penalty...although it doesn't completely deter killer with guns, I personally think it help to a certain extent.

Originally Posted by pesa

...although it doesn't completely deter killer with guns, I personally think it help to a certain extent.

I agree that you'd think it helps, but studies and history have shown it doesn't.

Originally Posted by Bruno

I agree that you'd think it helps, but studies and history have shown it doesn't.

Studies in the US have shown that execution is effective in deterring murder:

Getting Off Death Row (.PDF), paper published in The Journal of Law and Economics (2003).
Execution and Deterrence (.PDF), paper published in Applied Economics (2001).
Does Capital Punishment Have a Deterrent Effect? (.PDF), paper published in American Law and Economics Review (2003).
Testimony by David Muhlhausen, Ph.D., given to the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2007, although admittedly Mr. Muhlhausen is an analyst for a conservative think tank.

There's been some call to abolish death penalty in Malaysia too recently, saying it it doesn't deter crime etc...but I gather the general view is that people over here want the punishment to stay especially for homicides. I can't speak for the rest of the people, but even if it doesn't deter it, i personally view it as the FAIR punishment. A life for a life.