If you were sexually abused and raped as child would you kill the person who did it?

[GroobySteven]

http://www.change.org/petitions/governor-tom-corbett-pa-board-of-pardons-district-attorney-seth-williams-grant-clemency-to-terrance-williams-survivor-of-child-sexual-abuse

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is preparing to execute Terrance “Terry” Williams on October 3, 2012, in spite of staunch opposition to his execution from the victim’s widow, five jurors from trial, child advocates, former prosecutors and judges, faith leaders, mental health professionals, law professors and others.
I urgently appeal to Governor Tom Corbett, the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons, and District Attorney Seth Williams to spare Terrance Williams’ life and allow him to be sentenced to life without parole.
Throughout his childhood, Terry suffered prolonged violent physical and sexual abuse from older males. Born into poverty with a violently abusive mother and absent father, Terry faced abuse and neglect in his home that made him vulnerable to sexual predators. He was first raped by an older boy when he was only six years old, and he continued to suffer sexual abuse for the next twelve years. Like too many other victims of child sexual abuse, Terry received no counseling or support to help him deal with the repeated traumas he endured; in fact, some of the people who were supposed to help Terry preyed on him.
As a teenager, Terry became acquainted with two middle-aged men who used their influence as a church leader and as a sports booster to get access to young boys. These men sexually abused and brutally exploited Terry. After years of suffering unimaginable horrors, when he was 17- and 18-years old, Terry killed these two men – and now faces death.
Terry’s tragic history of abuse was never presented at trial. Because of this, several jurors who sentenced him to death now support commuting his sentence to life without parole. At the time of trial, Terry was traumatized and ashamed of the violence he suffered, and his lawyer did not investigate obvious signs of abuse. The jury thus did not hear any evidence about the relentless abuse Terry faced, nor did they know that the two men he killed were in fact his abusers.
Jurors have stated that that if they had known all the facts about Terry's background and his abuse by the men he killed, they would not have voted for death.
The widow of the man whose killing resulted in Terry’s death sentence has forgiven Terry and does not want him to be executed. She has found peace and closure and does not wish to see any more loss of life. The victim’s widow has expressed herhope that Governor Corbett, the Board of Pardons, and District Attorney Williams will show Terry mercy.
In addition to the victim’s widow and jurors, there has been an unprecedented outpouring of support from prominent groups and individuals across Pennsylvania. Child advocates, former prosecutors and judges, faith leaders, mental health professionals, law professors and others have publicly supported commuting Terry’s sentence to life without parole.
Terry is deeply remorseful for his actions and prays that the families of the men he killed can find peace.
You can read more about Terry's case, including the numerous letters in support of clemency, here: www.TerryWilliamsClemency.com (http://www.TerryWilliamsClemency.com)
I join in asking Governor Corbett, the Board of Pardons, and District Attorney Williams to spare Terrance Williams’ life.

[Prospero]

A shocking story. Yes... on the face of the account presented his sentence should be commuted (but I am wholly against the death penalty anyway) and given the circumstances it seems to be to have been justifiable homicide.

Thanks for posting that.

[Jackal]

I was but I am not interested in spending time behind bars for revenge but I know my situation is not the same as others.

[Dino Velvet]

I'm not sure he did anything wrong. I might not even incarcerate him. I would evaluate him thoroughly psychologically prior to any decision. I'd have to be aware and take into account the horror and sadism he experienced to make this decision. I guess he did technically break the law so there are legal consequences but there are other matters to consider that still would not warrant death.

The way the system works at least don't execute him.

If someone tortured me as a child I'd like to think I'd have enough strength and will remaining to get my revenge.

[Wendy Summers]

Probably more real of a question for me than most who've responded so far.

I'd like to think that given the opportunity to directly face that bastard who abused and raped me, I'd still stick to my belief in calm, non-violent ways.

I do know it would be a major challenge to not harm the fucker.

I don't, however, think killing the ass would be in the cards if my zenness faltered. Death would be too quick and too easy for the fucker.

[bishr]

no, i don't think there is a situation where sexual acts even forced ones are reason enough to kill someone. that can't be right at all.

[danthepoetman]

The guy should serve a few years, maybe 4 or 5, and then set free. Certainly not his entire life behind bars. We should always take attenuating circumstances into account, but in this case, the circumstances are more than just “attenuating”. If they aren’t legitimizing the revenge, they obviously shed lights on the motive, if not even justifiying it, to a large extent. Law should be more supple, at times.

To answer the question in itself is not possible. Too many elements comes into play to judge something like that. It all depends on the nature of the act, I guess. But of course, before having someone to the brink of killing someone else, you should provide him/her with the help necessary to make peace with him/herself. That would be justice. And I’m not sure it would take such an ideal world to make something like that possible.

[GroobySteven]

no, i don't think there is a situation where sexual acts even forced ones are reason enough to kill someone. that can't be right at all.

Are you a parent?

[bishr]

Are you a parent?

no i am not, i don't know how i would feel if i was. i was replying based on your question which said:

if you were...

i know what i can handle even when i was a child, but i don't know about other children, it might really hurt them emotionally.

[GroobySteven]

no i am not, i don't know how i would feel if i was. i was replying based on your question which said:

if you were...

i know what i can handle even when i was a child, but i don't know about other children, it might really hurt them emotionally.

I think a lot of people might handle it themselves but if they found out it happened to their kids it would be different.

[lifeisfiction]

I believe the death penalty should be used when someone is killed. Beyond that the death penalty is not fairly implemented and opening the door even under good intentions will have many innocent people killed. Crime is horrible, but a wrongfully convicted person who has died from being killed thourgh the death penalty is something that cannot be undone.

[danthepoetman]

I think a lot of people might handle it themselves but if they found out it happened to their kids it would be different.

That’s a very good point, Seanchai. That’s why help is so important…

[Quiet Reflections]

I wanted to kill him but I was to young and weak. By the time I was physically able to do it the guy was already dead. I don't know if I would have actually killed him but I sometimes think I would have if I had the chance. I'm a father now and I like to think I would kill someone if they molested my child but I'm not sure I could be so selfish as to leave him and go to prison when he needed me most, especially since I'm his only parent. It is hard to even imagine because in the face of the situation knowing my temper I'm not sure I could stop myself. I can most definitely say I would lay hands on the person but ending their life..........i just don't know.

[youngblood61]

http://www.change.org/petitions/governor-tom-corbett-pa-board-of-pardons-district-attorney-seth-williams-grant-clemency-to-terrance-williams-survivor-of-child-sexual-abuse

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is preparing to execute Terrance “Terry” Williams on October 3, 2012, in spite of staunch opposition to his execution from the victim’s widow, five jurors from trial, child advocates, former prosecutors and judges, faith leaders, mental health professionals, law professors and others.
I urgently appeal to Governor Tom Corbett, the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons, and District Attorney Seth Williams to spare Terrance Williams’ life and allow him to be sentenced to life without parole.
Throughout his childhood, Terry suffered prolonged violent physical and sexual abuse from older males. Born into poverty with a violently abusive mother and absent father, Terry faced abuse and neglect in his home that made him vulnerable to sexual predators. He was first raped by an older boy when he was only six years old, and he continued to suffer sexual abuse for the next twelve years. Like too many other victims of child sexual abuse, Terry received no counseling or support to help him deal with the repeated traumas he endured; in fact, some of the people who were supposed to help Terry preyed on him.
As a teenager, Terry became acquainted with two middle-aged men who used their influence as a church leader and as a sports booster to get access to young boys. These men sexually abused and brutally exploited Terry. After years of suffering unimaginable horrors, when he was 17- and 18-years old, Terry killed these two men – and now faces death.
Terry’s tragic history of abuse was never presented at trial. Because of this, several jurors who sentenced him to death now support commuting his sentence to life without parole. At the time of trial, Terry was traumatized and ashamed of the violence he suffered, and his lawyer did not investigate obvious signs of abuse. The jury thus did not hear any evidence about the relentless abuse Terry faced, nor did they know that the two men he killed were in fact his abusers.
Jurors have stated that that if they had known all the facts about Terry's background and his abuse by the men he killed, they would not have voted for death.
The widow of the man whose killing resulted in Terry’s death sentence has forgiven Terry and does not want him to be executed. She has found peace and closure and does not wish to see any more loss of life. The victim’s widow has expressed herhope that Governor Corbett, the Board of Pardons, and District Attorney Williams will show Terry mercy.
In addition to the victim’s widow and jurors, there has been an unprecedented outpouring of support from prominent groups and individuals across Pennsylvania. Child advocates, former prosecutors and judges, faith leaders, mental health professionals, law professors and others have publicly supported commuting Terry’s sentence to life without parole.
Terry is deeply remorseful for his actions and prays that the families of the men he killed can find peace.
You can read more about Terry's case, including the numerous letters in support of clemency, here: www.TerryWilliamsClemency.com (http://www.TerryWilliamsClemency.com)
I join in asking Governor Corbett, the Board of Pardons, and District Attorney Williams to spare Terrance Williams’ life.Tough question. I believe they should have been killed,but in the eyes of the law you just can't kill a person even for their crimes. Sad story, but I might have done the same Law or no law. Good luck to Terry!

[BBaggins06]

That’s a very good point, Seanchai. That’s why help is so important…

But is someone with such an extensive history of abuse able to be helped? Personally, I wouldn't want someone with such a grim psychological profile out walking the streets even discounting the multiple murders ...

[bimale69]

WITHOUT A DOUBT YES. ANYONE WHO RAPES AND SEXUALLY ABUSES A CHILD DESERVES AN AGONIZING, PAINFUL, SLOW EXECUTION, AND TO BE FILMED AND SHOWED TO OTHER SEX OFFENDERS AND THE PUBLIC TO WARN ANYONE WHO EVEN THINKS OF RAPING A KID!!:pissed:

[natina]

well I signed the petition some time ago. i do not feel he had a fair chance in life.I HAVE USED DEADLY FORCE BEFORE AND WAS LUCKY that I just had skirt by a little any legal consequences. HE IS no Jekyll and Hyde

http://www.thenation.com/blog/169881/will-pennsylvania-execute-man-who-killed-his-abusers#


http://www.change.org/petitions/governor-tom-corbett-pa-board-of-pardons-district-attorney-seth-williams-grant-clemency-to-terrance-williams-survivor-of-child-sexual-abuse

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is preparing to execute Terrance “Terry” Williams on October 3, 2012, in spite of staunch opposition to his execution from the victim’s widow, five jurors from trial, child advocates, former prosecutors and judges, faith leaders, mental health professionals, law professors and others.
I urgently appeal to Governor Tom Corbett, the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons, and District Attorney Seth Williams to spare Terrance Williams’ life and allow him to be sentenced to life without parole.
Throughout his childhood, Terry suffered prolonged violent physical and sexual abuse from older males. Born into poverty with a violently abusive mother and absent father, Terry faced abuse and neglect in his home that made him vulnerable to sexual predators. He was first raped by an older boy when he was only six years old, and he continued to suffer sexual abuse for the next twelve years. Like too many other victims of child sexual abuse, Terry received no counseling or support to help him deal with the repeated traumas he endured; in fact, some of the people who were supposed to help Terry preyed on him.
As a teenager, Terry became acquainted with two middle-aged men who used their influence as a church leader and as a sports booster to get access to young boys. These men sexually abused and brutally exploited Terry. After years of suffering unimaginable horrors, when he was 17- and 18-years old, Terry killed these two men – and now faces death.
Terry’s tragic history of abuse was never presented at trial. Because of this, several jurors who sentenced him to death now support commuting his sentence to life without parole. At the time of trial, Terry was traumatized and ashamed of the violence he suffered, and his lawyer did not investigate obvious signs of abuse. The jury thus did not hear any evidence about the relentless abuse Terry faced, nor did they know that the two men he killed were in fact his abusers.
Jurors have stated that that if they had known all the facts about Terry's background and his abuse by the men he killed, they would not have voted for death.
The widow of the man whose killing resulted in Terry’s death sentence has forgiven Terry and does not want him to be executed. She has found peace and closure and does not wish to see any more loss of life. The victim’s widow has expressed her hope that Governor Corbett, the Board of Pardons, and District Attorney Williams will show Terry mercy.
In addition to the victim’s widow and jurors, there has been an unprecedented outpouring of support from prominent groups and individuals across Pennsylvania. Child advocates, former prosecutors and judges, faith leaders, mental health professionals, law professors and others have publicly supported commuting Terry’s sentence to life without parole.
Terry is deeply remorseful for his actions and prays that the families of the men he killed can find peace.
You can read more about Terry's case, including the numerous letters in support of clemency, here: www.TerryWilliamsClemency.com (http://www.TerryWilliamsClemency.com)
I join in asking Governor Corbett, the Board of Pardons, and District Attorney Williams to spare Terrance Williams’ life.

[onmyknees]

Not a hard call for me at all. I would calmly take a life for this, and for other offenses, as a matter of fact.

[otherguy]

It's very hard to separate punishment from revenge. Should he spend the rest of his life behind bars? IMHO yes. Death penalty, no.

At present, he's probably a danger to himself and others. No telling if you can fix something that broken. Commutation to life in prison, not capital punishment, is warranted here.

[danthepoetman]

I think it’s important to judge someone on what he has done and under which circumstances rather than on what he could do in the future, unless he is a recidivist of course. Or else, we could jail anyone out of fear. Besides, there could be mechanisms of surveillance as help is provided. There should be something to do justice for someone like him, or else it is only prolonging a set of injustices in his very life. Moreover, is life in prison that much lighter a sentence than to be executed? I’m not absolutely sure. I mean, there is something seriously twisted there, no?

[Lovecox]

What a sad story. It's hard to believe the background didn't come up in trial. I don't fault anyone for killing someone who abused them as children. I want to fucking cry right now.

[zdubya69]

It's horrible! The amount of abuse this man went through for all of those years
Should at least have been considered in the sentencing. I'd probably not give this man much time at all. I concur with Wendy. As a survivor of sexual abuse from my childhood, there are times when I wish I had could confront my abuser as well. Would I kick the living shit outta the person at this point? probably. Would I murder him? Probably not. Buy who am I to judge another persons pain? I fought my demons and won. Not everybody is as lucky

[natina]

How many here have signed the petition?

Signed the petition

signed the petition

signed the petition


signed the petition

signed the petition


signed the petition

[Jericho]

Don't know him, so i don't know.
Some people are broken and can't be fixed, ending his life may be the best thing.
But, before that happens, everyone who abused him should spend a night tied up in his cell.
If they're dragged out alive or not, who gives a fuck. :shrug

[GroobySteven]

I would calmly take a life for this, and for other offenses, as a matter of fact.

"Calmly" ?? I think that's more an indication of a sociopath if you done it "calmly". You may want to look into it.

I'd certainly contemplate and most probably act on it, if somebody done this to my loved ones but I'd be seething with rage and anger against them.

[Prospero]

Sociopath? Psychopath more like.

I signed the petition.

[Jericho]

"Calmly" ?? I think that's more an indication of a sociopath if you done it "calmly". You may want to look into it.


With respect, i think i know where OMK's coming from here.
Calmly killing someone, and killing someone calmly are two different things.
If you were heading for the rope, you wouldn't want a nervous hangman. :shrug

[GroobySteven]

With respect, i think i know where OMK's coming from here.
Calmly killing someone, and killing someone calmly are two different things.
If you were heading for the rope, you wouldn't want a nervous hangman. :shrug

Precisely my point. A hangman is doing a job. It's cold and he has no emotional involvement.
I think I know what he's trying to say also - but didn't articulate it well.

[Jericho]

I think I know what he's trying to say also - but didn't articulate it well.

Leeway...Mirkin! :hide-1::whistle::lol:


A hangman is doing a job

Interesting can of worms....
Albert Pierrepoint - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Pierrepoint)

[stan.smith]

As Olivia Benson from SVU would say it all pedophiles should be castrated with a steak knife. Its just sad too sad. :( :(

[TSPornFan]

Terry should be a free man. He is the real victim. The two dead men should be dead. Their victims have the right to defend themselves.

The system failed Terry as a child. Many men within the system raped him. Now the system wants to kill Terry for killing his rapists.


Anyone who thinks Terry needs time then to rethink about the problem.

[natina]

How many here have signed the petition?

http://www.change.org/petitions/governor-tom-corbett-pa-board-of-pardons-district-attorney-seth-williams-grant-clemency-to-terrance-williams-survivor-of-child-sexual-abuse
http://www.change.org/petitions/governor-tom-corbett-pa-board-of-pardons-district-attorney-seth-williams-grant-clemency-to-terrance-williams-survivor-of-child-sexual-abuse

Signed the petition

signed the petition

signed the petition


signed the petition

signed the petition


signed the petition

http://www.change.org/petitions/governor-tom-corbett-pa-board-of-pardons-district-attorney-seth-williams-grant-clemency-to-terrance-williams-survivor-of-child-sexual-abuse
http://www.change.org/petitions/governor-tom-corbett-pa-board-of-pardons-district-attorney-seth-williams-grant-clemency-to-terrance-williams-survivor-of-child-sexual-abuse

How many here have signed the petition?

Signed the petition

signed the petition

signed the petition


signed the petition

signed the petition


signed the petition

http://www.change.org/petitions/governor-tom-corbett-pa-board-of-pardons-district-attorney-seth-williams-grant-clemency-to-terrance-williams-survivor-of-child-sexual-abuse
http://www.change.org/petitions/governor-tom-corbett-pa-board-of-pardons-district-attorney-seth-williams-grant-clemency-to-terrance-williams-survivor-of-child-sexual-abuse

[trish]

The State cannot sanction revenge killing and neither can I. Had Terry pled self-defense it may be a different story.

[iago_delgado]

This sounds amazingly similar to the stuff that the 'free Sylvia Boots' camp put up to try to get Sylvia off.

From the Daily Mail
"The pair stole cash and credit cards from Norwood after beating him with the tire iron, setting him on fire and leaving him in a cemetery in 1984. They then went gambling in Atlantic City, New Jersey

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2203303/Terry-Williams-New-hearing-granted-death-row-inmate-sexually-abused-victims.html#ixzz26bBCjjaf "

The other guy charged with the theft/murder has suddenly given evidence that Williams snapped because of the way he had been treated.

I tend to think not. A jaunt out on town after setting fire to the guy does not sit well with a revenge killing.

He's getting a hearing. The guys he killed in 1986 do not get to give evidence re "alleged abuse".