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We need to restore death penalty

Why? With tears streaming down my face I read the story on the fatality inquiry being held for the four RCMP officers cut down in Mayerthorpe.

Why? With tears streaming down my face I read the story on the fatality inquiry being held for the four RCMP officers cut down in Mayerthorpe.

I did not know any of these young men, but, as a father and human being I can’t begin to imagine the horror, pain and agony their families must be living with each and every day.

Why in the world would anyone want to hear the graphic details of their child’s death over and over? Have they not suffered enough?

James Roszko is the lucky one. His life ended that day and I hope and pray that he had no one who cared about his death.

The anger and disgust that I am feeling for this man right now is more than I can take.

Why has the correctional system supported Ronald Smith for 25 years? What has been the cost to provide him with free room and board for that length of time? All this while he sits back and enjoys making a mockery of the justice system.

And now he wants his life to be spared? Did he offer a choice to the two men he murdered in cold blood?

Why do we continue to offer the lives of our police officers to these maniacs on a silver platter? They get up each morning, put on their uniform and not one of them knows whether this might be the day they do not come home.

Why do we create laws that protect the guilty and set them free without paying the full cost of their actions? What kind of world are we leaving behind for our children to grow up in? What will it be like in 20, 30 or 50 years?

Can we not create a system that ensures the guilty pay fully for their crimes? Whether they are minor crimes or something far worse, let’s make sure the punishment fits and is carried out fully.

Let’s bring back the death penalty. The victims had no choice and neither should the perpetrators.

Jim Elliott

Red Deer