Wouldn't the death sentence be more realistic?? He did "kill" the officers chance for a happy life!!

Question

An Orleans Parish judge today sentenced a 25-year-old Algiers man to a century in prison for trying to murder New Orleans police officer Andres Gonzalez nine months after Hurricane Katrina

A jury found Eddie Harrison III guilty of attempting to murder Gonzalez, who was left a quadriplegic from the run-in. 

Prosecutors Greg Thompson and Rhonda Goode-Douglas asked Criminal Court Judge Julian Parker to give Harrison the maximum penalty as a repeat offender in Louisiana: 50 to 100 years. 

After delivering a searing lecture to Harrison, Parker handed down the sentence, calling it an even trade for the fate Harrison sentenced Gonzalez to that fateful day.

"He was willing to fight you hand-to-hand like a man," Parker told Harrison, who appeared in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs. "But you chose to try to kill him. You have sentenced him to a life sentence in a wheelchair. He can't give his parents grandchildren....He's going to be sentenced to life at home watching television with his mother and father, who will help him use the bathroom. All because of you. All because of you."

Parker said that all Gonzalez ever wanted to be was a cop, and that all Harrison wanted to be was a robber, landing in court at age 15 on charges of armed robbery. He was tried as an adult and pleaded guilty, receiving a minimal sentence, Parker noted.

For that crime, a Jefferson Parish judge on May 10, 1999, gave Harrison five years -- a second chance, Parker surmised. But instead of changing his ways, Harrison only learned "how to be a better criminal."

Gonzalez, dressed in his black NOPD uniform, delivered a brief yet succinct victim's impact statement to the court before the sentencing.

"The defendant has no remorse and he is not sorry for his actions," Gonzalez read, seated in his motorized wheelchair. His black leather NOPD jacket hung from the back of the chair. He listed the surgeries he has had - for facial reconstruction, his bladder, and his teeth. Most of the right side of his face is now made of titanium. He has been going to physical therapy three times a week since June 2006.

"How many other people have to get hurt or who are hurt that we don't know about?" Gonzalez asked. "This is the career I always wanted and now it's gone. I'll never walk again. I'll never work again. You should never walk free again."

First-degree murder carries either mandatory life in prison or death by lethal injection upon conviction, Gonzalez noted.

"Do not reward him with a lesser sentence for not being successful," Gonzalez said. "Since he didn't finish the job off. Why should he be free if he just didn't finish the job he started? That's all I have."

Attempted murder carries 10 to 50 years in prison for a first offender. But Harrison has a prior armed robbery conviction -- which doubled the possible punishment. 

After a four-day trial that included 23 state witnesses and 123 exhibits, a jury found Harrison guilty of the attempted first-degree murder of a police officer. 

The verdict was unanimous, although only ten of the 12 jurors needed to agree in order to render a legal verdict. 

On the afternoon of May 22, 2006, Harrison surprised officer Andres Gonzalez during a foot chase in Algiers Point when he stuck a .40-caliber gun in the young officer's face, according to testimony. What began with a routine traffic stop when Gonzalez and his partner noticed a car with illegally tinted black windows ended with a police officer trying not to choke on his own blood as he lay on the pavement. 

"In all likelihood, he saved someone else," Police Superintendent Warren Riley said after the verdict. 

Harrison shot Gonzalez four times with the gun that he ditched before his arrest the same day, prosecutors said. The first bullet severed Gonzalez's spinal cord, instantly paralyzing him. Another went into his face and exited the back of his skull. A third shot struck the bullet-proof vest that covered the officer's abdomen. 

The fourth was yet another attempt to end his life, Assistant District Attorney Rhonda Goode-Douglas said. 

"Eddie Harrison wanted to make sure that Officer Gonzalez couldn't radio for help," Goode-Douglas said. "He shot into his police radio. That is specific intent to kill

~Wingnut Extrodinar~ · Accepted Answer

Well,  I do believe in the death penalty.  For many reasons, some very personal!   In this case if I were the judge( this guy better thank his lucky stars that I'm not)  I would have to say that an eye for and eye.  

Bless You Tom

LawDawg · Answer

I have always been an advocate for letting the punishment fit the crime. Maybe instead of the death penalty, this scumbag should have his spinal cord severed and forced to live as a quadriplegic. Of course that still leaves the matter of being shot in the face four times by a .40 caliber at close range and enduring all the surgeries that Officer Gonzalez has had to face. Maybe the death penalty is the best option, but none of that quick relatively painless (by comparison to Officer Gonzalez pain and suffering) lethal injection, or electric chair. 

The ancient Chinese had a punishment that every day the prisoner had a body part removed, starting with the feet and working upward. The body part was then boiled and fed to the prisoner, so that he slowly ate himself to death. No cost for food to the taxpayers. Cruel and unusual punishment? Not in my opinion.

Elaine · Answer

And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? Matthew 19:16 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Matthew 25:46 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:15 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:54 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. John 12:25 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Romans 6:23 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life , I John 2:25 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 22:13 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Revelation 22:12

AmericanNative · Answer

yes I think the death penalty would be a better answer. even the Bible says there is a time to kill. I think that anyone that is capable of a crime like this should be executed instead of being a further drag on the economy

joeanonymous · Answer

I love American sentencing provisions!

Here in Canada, the guy would have received a maximum of 25 years.  If he would have shot two officers he still would have received 25 years as our sentencing is concurrent instead of consecutive.

I will disagree with you a little bit here Tom, the officer's life has changed forever, but he still has a chance for a "happy" life, a deeply different changed life, but still has a chance for happiness.

. · Answer

I think death would be to easy for him.  Let him rot in prison until either he dies or the other prisoners kill him.  That would be the most miserable way for him to 'live', if you can call that living.

J · Answer

I understand your argument but I don't believe in the death penalty.  It is ineffective and doesn't stop the wheel of karma.

i didn't mean karma literally.  I just meant that an eye for and eye doesn't solve anything.  If someone I loved was murdered seeing the person who did it dead doesn't bring them back or make me feel better.  It just reduces me to their low level.  So because of this and the fact the the death penalty does not deter crime and is not cost effective with all the appeals it creates I would rather see someone get a life in prison.

Nic T · Answer

I'll agree to the death penalty.  Or equal punishment.  Eddie Harrison might be better off it they shot him until he was a quadriplegic.

Unconditional Confusion · Answer

The death sentence never solves anything, by killing another man you are as bad as that scumbag.   The best way for him to suffer is life sentence, no parole and i mean life not the forking pathetic 25 years sentence. That man is evil and needs to suffer and the best way for that is no human contct for his whole life. 

I agree that you are angry and he is evil but complete life in solitary is better.

BodyBags-N-ToeTags-AKA-Tiffany · Answer

I need to reply to J's answer up above. Karma doesn't have s**t to do with some psychopathic child molestor raping our children!! Karma also has nothing to do with people shooting at the very people that are trying to protect you...
(I know that had nothing to do with the question, but I felt that Karma should be addressed here.)

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Wouldn't the death sentence be more realistic?? He did "kill" the officers chance for a happy life!!

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