Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

The death penalty

The article “Impact of death penalty that’s not carried out” (Jan. 19) is a sad commentary on an innocuous man who miraculously lived the days of his execution, getting imprisoned in the process for 21 years unnecessarily.

The case of Kenny Richey should tell us conclusively why the death penalty should be abolished. I shudder to surmise what would have been the fate of an innocent man had he been executed immediately after the verdict was delivered.

It is unfortunate that society brands persons like Richey as outcasts and permanent criminals, and despises them for the rest of their lives. They are denied the right to co-exist and refused employment. They are bound to lead a miserable life till their death carrying the stigma of imprisonment for no fault of theirs. It is the duty of the state to come to the rescue of such persons and ensure that they live with dignity.

R.M. Manoharan,

Chennai

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