Current Events > Do you support the death penalty sentence in this case?

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Cocytus
10/12/19 3:39:04 AM
#1:


Do you support the death penalty sentence in this case? - Results (6 votes)
1. Yes
50% (3 votes)
3
2. No
50% (3 votes)
3
https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/penalty-phase-of-stay-family-slayings-trial-nears-end

"HOUSTON - Cassidy Stay walked past the jury box with a smile. It lit the spark that fueled her new beginning.

Seconds earlier, she spoke her piece to the man who killed her family.

A judge on Friday sentenced Ronald Lee Haskell to death by lethal injection, after a jury concluded Haskell remained a continued threat to society. The two-month-long trial, ending a nightmare that played out for five years, ended with Stay's victim impact statement.

"For the past five years, I always wanted to know how you felt about me and what type of remorse you felt," stay said.

"My family always said that you only felt sorry for yourself and I didn't want to believe that because I thought, 'Surely he has to feel bad for killing my family."

Whether Haskell felt bad wasn't a focal point of either side of the debate that determined his life. Rather, it centered on what drove his decision kill: Was it an inability to control the thoughts that triggered his actions or a deeply developed hate for the ex-wife who escaped his grip?

Over time, Cassidy found her answer.

"When I heard that you felt no remorse, something changed inside of me and I didn't know what to do with that change, and it was causing me a lot of hurt and anger because that was my closure. My closure was the hope that you would feel bad. I no longer had the desire for closure because this is it. There's nothing left on this Earth that will soothe my wounds and worries. Only God can help me now.
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Cocytus
10/12/19 3:39:32 AM
#2:


""When I heard that you felt no remorse, something changed inside of me and I didn't know what to do with that change, and it was causing me a lot of hurt and anger because that was my closure. My closure was the hope that you would feel bad. I no longer had the desire for closure because this is it. There's nothing left on this Earth that will soothe my wounds and worries. Only God can help me now."

Stay's testimony of how she survived her family members' assassination at the hands of a man she once knew as "Uncle Ron" anchored the prosecution's case. The defense never tried to challenge Stay. It couldn't. All it could do was argue that Haskell's trove of diagnosed mental illnesses prevented him from having any control over what he had done. And after a jury didn't believe that, the defense's last attempt was to convince the jury Haskell wasn't a continuing threat.

Closing arguments span two hours

Closing arguments on Friday drove home the defense's claim.

"Until his last breath, he will die in prison, and he deserves that, without question," began Neil Davis III, one of Haskell's defense attorneys.

"We know from the evidence that he's not a future danger. We know from the science and studies that he can spend the rest of his life in prison," he said.

The prosecution argued Haskell's actions on July 9, 2014, merely further confirmed who he had been "and who he will always be: an abusive, angry, violent, manipulative, selfish, narcissist, blame-shifting monster" argued Lauren Bard, one of three prosecutors on the case.

Jurors had two options to consider: life in prison or death by lethal injection. The prosecutors argued the right decision marked "the moment for justice," said prosecutor Samantha Knecht.

Knecht then lined up seven bullets, one for each member of the Stay family including Cassidy, the lone survivor.

"But his plan was not complete," she said after a pause, and lined up 22 additional bullets for the rest of Melanie Lyon's family members whom the state claimed Haskell had plotted to kill, as well. Melanie, the wife who testified she suffered 11 years of physical and verbal abuse by Haskell, was included in that second roundup.

"If not this, then what?" Knecht asked.

The defense said the prosecution's case was centered on the quest for vengeance.

"Killing Ron Haskell is not going to make that grief go away. It may make them feel better for a second, but that's not going to last," said Doug Durham, another of Haskell's defense attorneys, referring to relatives of the Stay family, especially Cassidy.

Durham asked the jury to consider if it found any sufficient mitigating factors about Haskell.

"I'll be very candid with you and argue Ron Haskell had a severe mental illness, and he couldn't distinguish right from wrong," Durham argued.

For the defense, a tough fight

"
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Cocytus
10/12/19 3:40:07 AM
#3:


"Brian Wice, KPRC2's legal analyst, said the defense had a tough road ahead of it because of the threshold that set the parameters for "continuing threat," which covered "whether or not anybody within society as including other inmates and staffing in the penitentiary is something this jury can consider in answering that question," Wise said.

Indeed, Haskell's defense tried to discourage jurors from labeling Haskell a continuing threat, urging them to consider whether there was anything sufficiently mitigating about Haskell. Their primary plea was mental illness.

Stay: 'I hope when you die, you will get the punishment you deserve from God.'

After Friday's verdict, Stay looked her family's killer in the eye.

"You've been in control long enough and now your game is up. You're not in control anymore. You've lost and this is it for you," Stay said from the witness stand. "I'm going to continue to move my life with happiness, and I'm going to move forward, and I'm going to forget about this and I'm going to forget about you."

"Are you going to feel remorse one day?" she asked. "I don't know and I want to tell you I don't care anymore."

"God will be there for you when you need him and that time is going to come quickly for you, whether you like it or not," Stay said, walking to her seat, passing the jury box. She smiled at the juror and offered a whispered, "Thank you."

The date of Haskell's execution will be set at a later time.
"
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vigorm0rtis
10/12/19 3:40:21 AM
#4:


I don't agree with the death penalty period.

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Cocytus
10/12/19 3:40:47 AM
#5:


vigorm0rtis posted...
I don't agree with the death penalty period.

You didn't read what this guy did.
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Omnislasher
10/12/19 3:41:40 AM
#6:


vigorm0rtis posted...
I don't agree with the death penalty period.
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Omnislasher
10/12/19 3:42:22 AM
#7:


Cocytus posted...
vigorm0rtis posted...
I don't agree with the death penalty period.

You didn't read what this guy did.

it doesnt matter
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Cocytus
10/12/19 3:43:02 AM
#8:


https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/ronald-haskell-found-guilty-of-capital-murder-in-slayings-of-stay-family

"HOUSTON - A jury convicted a man Thursday of killing six members of a Spring family five years ago.

Ronald Haskell, 39, of Utah, was found guilty of capital murder in the 2014 shooting deaths of Katie and Stephen Stay, and their children Bryan, Emily, Rebecca and Zach. Their fifth child, Cassidy, was shot but survived her injuries.

During the trial, prosecutors painted Haskell as a man seeking vengeance against his ex-wife and her family and formulated a plan to carry out the murders.

"There was never a reasonable doubt that Haskell meticulously planned and carried out the slaughter of the Stay family," Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said in a statement.

The defense argued that Haskell was insane and heard voices that led him to kill his ex-wifes sister, her sister's husband and four of their children on July 9, 2014.

Haskell hung his head after the verdict was read.

"I think he took it as best as you could expect," said Doug Durham, one of Haskell's defense attorneys. "He was aware that this was a strong possibility."

Cassidy Stay, who testified during the trial, was surrounded by family as she appeared to be praying just before the verdict was announced. Afterward, she appeared relieved.

The jury will now have to decide whether Haskell should die for his crimes. The penalty phase begins Monday morning.

"We want to save his life. That's our job," said Neil Davis III, another of Haskell's defense attorneys.

Haskell's defense conceded doing so will not be easy, although they don't believe their client poses a danger to anyone.

"He's been institutionalized. He's been in jail for five years. There have been no problems in the jail. He's been medicated. His mental health issues have been treated," Davis said.

Still, the very jury that didn't buy the argument that Haskell wasn't in control of his actions will be left to decide whether he lives or dies. Haskell's defense plans to have several witnesses take the stand during the punishment phase, including Haskell's relatives, friends and an expert who "will talk about why Ron Haskell will not be a future danger," Davis said.

Haskell's mental state is slated to take center stage yet again when testimony begins Monday in his punishment phase.

"Obviously [jurors] looked through the evidence carefully and I'm hoping that part of that was the medical records and that they see he's got a history of mental illnesses and I hope they find that mitigating," Durham said.

Haskell's defense expects the punishment phase to last 2 1/2 weeks or so.
"
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Cocytus
10/12/19 3:43:42 AM
#9:


Omnislasher posted...
Cocytus posted...
vigorm0rtis posted...
I don't agree with the death penalty period.

You didn't read what this guy did.

it doesnt matter

Agree to disagree.
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vigorm0rtis
10/12/19 3:46:08 AM
#10:


Cocytus posted...
You didn't read what this guy did.


I did.

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trappedunderice
10/12/19 3:47:36 AM
#11:


vigorm0rtis posted...
I don't agree with the death penalty period.

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Aristoph
10/12/19 3:50:31 AM
#12:


Cocytus posted...
vigorm0rtis posted...
I don't agree with the death penalty period.

You didn't read what this guy did.


If you're just going to dismiss anybody who disagrees with you, then why bother making the topic in the first place?

Sounds more to me like you've already made up your mind and you just want others to pat you on the back for it.
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Cocytus
10/12/19 3:53:39 AM
#13:


Aristoph posted...
Cocytus posted...
vigorm0rtis posted...
I don't agree with the death penalty period.

You didn't read what this guy did.


If you're just going to dismiss anybody who disagrees with you, then why bother making the topic in the first place?

Sounds more to me like you've already made up your mind and you just want others to pat you on the back for it.

No he posted quickly is all. I understand that not everyone will agree, which is why I made the topic, like you were saying.
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pfh1001
10/12/19 6:20:50 AM
#14:


Good riddance to this evil, sick fuck.
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vigorm0rtis
10/12/19 6:27:46 AM
#15:


Cocytus posted...
No he posted quickly is all. I understand that not everyone will agree, which is why I made the topic, like you were saying.


I'm an editor. It's not uncommon for me to read a few hundred pages in a day. Your little news article took all of two minutes-- tops.

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"Can't wait to count out your coin!" -- Bethesda, 2018
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DocDelicious
10/12/19 6:41:13 AM
#16:


I'm pro-death penalty and pro-abortion in the sense that I think both should be made mandatory in many cases.
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Lorenzo_2003
10/12/19 6:45:58 AM
#17:


I don't see a point in keeping him alive, but maybe the State can get something useful out of him. On the other hand, I've been told that would be a type of slavery.

Lethal injection could be the most humane method available. Strangling him would be a lot cheaper and more quick, though.
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#18
Post #18 was unavailable or deleted.
Irony
10/13/19 9:22:35 PM
#19:


vigorm0rtis posted...
Cocytus posted...
No he posted quickly is all. I understand that not everyone will agree, which is why I made the topic, like you were saying.


I'm an editor. It's not uncommon for me to read a few hundred pages in a day. Your little news article took all of two minutes-- tops.

No you aren't and no you didn't read it
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I am Mogar, God of Irony and The Devourer of Topics.
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Prismsblade
10/13/19 9:24:03 PM
#20:


I'm pro death penalty.

Anyone willing to rob others of they're lives so cruelly doeasnt to live much longer themselves, even if behind bars.
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hockeybub89
10/13/19 9:25:30 PM
#21:


No, not in any situation at all. No one should have the power to kill someone in their custody.
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Irony
10/13/19 9:26:56 PM
#22:


hockeybub89 posted...
No, not in any situation at all. No one should have the power to kill someone in their custody.

Yet you support parents killing kids by refusing vaccines
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I am Mogar, God of Irony and The Devourer of Topics.
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#23
Post #23 was unavailable or deleted.
hockeybub89
10/13/19 9:29:54 PM
#24:


Irony posted...
hockeybub89 posted...
No, not in any situation at all. No one should have the power to kill someone in their custody.

Yet you support parents killing kids by refusing vaccines

No I don't. I think those parents should be relieved of children and possibly face jailtime.
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EvenSpoonier
10/13/19 9:35:09 PM
#25:


Case like this, where even the defense is not disputing the man's guilt, where his ability to understand right and wrong is pretty clear, where there is admittedly no remorse, and despite the defense's mental health claims there doesn't actually seem to be any relevant issue?

Yeah. Fry him. Or inject him, as the case may be, but you know what I mean. This is not the kind of case opponenta typically cite. Make it quick and clean, with minimal fuss: this is not cause for joy or celebration, only for justice.
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WavyNoobSauce
10/13/19 9:36:32 PM
#26:


Absolutely. Fuck that guy, I'm glad his life will be taken
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vigorm0rtis
10/13/19 9:37:11 PM
#27:


Irony posted...
No you aren't and no you didn't read it


Sure, whatever.

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