After all of the horrible death penalty stories coming out of the south, from states like Texas and Georgia, it is good to know that sometimes the desire to be merciful outweighs the demand for vengeance.
I don't have the time to write a full blog about this, but today Gaile Owens was released from the Tennessee Prison for Women in Nashville, after serving nearly three decades on death row for hiring a man to kill her abusive husband. Her death sentence was commuted to life in prison last year (just months before her execution date), and her parole was approved last week.
Here is a link to the the story in the Washington Post.
I guess we can debate whether or not her race or gender played a part in this remarkable series of events, but I share the belief of her supporters that she has paid her debt and she is not a danger to society at large.
I hope she lives a long, happy and fulfilling life.
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Comments
And they lost a mother and a father because of her actions.
Should she have been released from prison? I guess so. It doesn't sound like she ever was a threat to society. As far as her "paying her debt" I've never understood what that means.
Thanks for straining my brain on a busy Friday!
nanatehay, it is kind of a good feeling. Of course, we still have a "death row", but maybe someday that'll go too.
Margaret, I understand the conflicting feelings. As far as "paying one's debt", it is kind of a nebulous concept, isn't it?
Owens certainly isn't innocent. But there is a reason we have a parole board, of course, which is to figure out whether or not someone should be released. As Marshall Chapman, who is quoted in the article linked above says, I believe in redemption.
Trudge, it is a sad fact that many women find themselves in horrible situations. While one can never condone what Owens did, surely there are mitigating factors. I think we need to work towards a world where a woman never feels forced into making that kind of choice.
jramelle, I'm also glad that I don't have to make those kinds of decisions. But I do think that the right decision was made here. Maybe I'll come back and visit this subject again, but I'm glad you visited my blog.