If you haven’t been following the trial of Steven Hayes, good for you. This is the stuff nightmares are made of. This is a plot line from Criminal Minds. It is the stuff that even we criminal defense lawyers say is such a rare case that we really shouldn’t fear it and we laugh when people say “how could you defend people LIKE THAT.” Well, they mean like Steven Hayes. The Petit family probably didn’t fear it that July night. They were safe in their beds. Or so they thought.
If you haven’t followed it, dear friends, I won’t tell you this gruesome story now. Suffice it to say the judge in the case summed it up by telling the jurors that “[they] have been exposed to images of depravity and horror no human being should ever have to see.” If a judge thinks that. Well, just imagine.
After three days of deliberations, a Connecticut jury has determined that Steven Hayes should die. There are people who say that this case is one that cries out for the death penalty. If there ever were a case for it, this is it. On a purely emotional level I cannot disagree. Who would not want the person who committed such a cold, calculated act to die? Come on. Who is that pure of heart that they don’t wish some sort of torment, torture and misery to befall Steven Hayes? Even those who say they are not for death, well, maybe in this case it’s okay. I can’t say I don’t understand. I do.
Gideon says we all have blood on our hands. Scott Greenfield says we’ve had this blood for a lot longer than today. And Gamso tries to differentiate between what Hayes did in deciding to kill and what the jurors did in – well, in deciding to kill. And Norm Pattis is mad.
I’m not having the argument with anyone today on why the death penalty is wrong. It still is. Even for Steven Hayes.
