Ed Thomas' Killer, Mark Becker Trial

**cy1010** · 03-02-2010, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by briankaldenberg

This is where our judicial system misses the boat. It should not cost more money to execute a guilty Mark Becker than it costs to house him for the rest of his life.

He should be executed this Friday. No appeals, no bureaucracy. It would save the State of Iowa hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Instead he will spend the rest of his life enjoying tax dollar funded shelter, electricity, food, water, and labor. He'll probably get to watch t.v., play ping pong, and listen to the radio too.

There is no judicial prohibition of the death penalty. It's an act of the legislature. If you don't like it, you should wrie your legislator. Although, I'm sure you'll continue to whine about it, and not act in any way.

**rdubbs** · 03-02-2010, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by Chipper

About to talk about the verdict on Outside the Lines on ESPN

Thomas boys pretty much said the same stuff they did after the verdict.

**ISUFan22** · 03-02-2010, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by CycloneYoda

It is called deliberation.

Or it's called getting some common sense.

Originally Posted by Clonegrad07

I am glad this guy is kind of getting what he deserves. What he deserves is not available in Iowa.

Agreed. I would still support any method that ends his life.

**Mr Janny** · 03-02-2010, 05:00 PM

Tone down the death penalty stuff, folks. If you want to discuss the merits of captial punishment, start a thread in the cave.

**Balls** · 03-02-2010, 11:44 PM

I just watched the video feeds. I don't know the facts or details but just watching the Becker family, particularly the father, was pretty hard. You know they feel terrible for the Thomas family and their control over their emotions just learning their son was found guilty is a sign of respect for the Thomas family.

While I am not supporting the killer, as my gut says he's guilty, I just wish the Becker family can somehow find a way to find hope for their son. Without hope, it will be really hard for them and they too are victims. For the actual killer, I don't feel that bad. Mainly his father watching that video.

**ISUboi12** · 03-03-2010, 12:45 AM

So what does "life without parole" mean? I realize that he will serve his full sentence without supervised leave. With good behavior is a life sentence defined as a mandatory number of years or as the time it takes for the guilty party's life to expire?

In other words, is it remotely possible in Iowa that Mark Becker will ever see freedom from anything other than an exoneration?

Kind of interested in hearing from professionals in the field and not what you may have learned in your criminial justice class at DMACC!

**ISUFan22** · 03-03-2010, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by Mr Janny

Tone down the death penalty stuff, folks. If you want to discuss the merits of captial punishment, start a thread in the cave.

Fair enough.

I hope he gets the full prison treatment.

**snowcraig2.0** · 03-03-2010, 08:33 AM

I hope he gets the full prison treatment.

I am assuming you mean cable and continental breakfast?

**3TrueFans** · 03-03-2010, 08:55 AM

Originally Posted by snowcraig2.0

I am assuming you mean cable and continental breakfast?

And ping pong.

**Clonegrad07** · 03-03-2010, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by 3TrueFans

And ping pong.

More like group showers and a 350 pound cell mate named Bubba.

**3TrueFans** · 03-03-2010, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by Clonegrad07

More like group showers and a 350 pound cell mate named Bubba.

And Bubba was friends with Forrest who loved to play ping pong! It's all coming around.

**jsb** · 03-03-2010, 09:21 AM

There is an interview with the jury foreman in the Register today. They started out 7-5 guilty. This was a tough case for those guys. I am just so impressed that they didn't automatically get to the easy guilty verdict.