is hanging to good for these b******ds

[VINNY100_2]

Mary-Ann Leneghan, 16, was stabbed to death in Prospect Park, Reading, Berks, in the early hours of Saturday.

Her 18-year-old friend is seriously ill after being subjected to a violent sexual ordeal by up to six men.

This has left me stunned and Angry and feeling very sad for their poor familys,I dont know if these are the right words to express my feelings.But i just feel hadred for the scum who did this.But right now I would quite happliy pull the lever that would hang those who are guilty.your thoughts please!!

[cruthinboy]

Not at all natalie_1982  - and may I say thank you  for bringing your gracious and thought provoking opinions to this debate without being in anyway (sic) informed - by the way, did you pass your "sociology"? (-;
 

[natalie_1982]

Nope.  Surprised?  ;-)

[kick3m0n]

the question was "is hanging too good for these ********?"  not "is hanging too good for the people who have been released on bail".  So forget all the BS aboutr  catching the right guys, etc.  If you take it that Vinny meant the actual perpetratiors (whoever they may be) and not simply the men currently under suspicion, then I have to say YES, hanging is way too good for the people who carried out this appalling crime. 

[cruthinboy]

For God's sake - if they catch these toerags and are sure of their guilt (however thay might be ascertained) - can anybody really argue against stringing them up?

[natalie_1982]

Phew.

[VINNY100_2]

Kick3mOn.Thankyou.

[cruthinboy]

By the way Ouisch - as someone who's been dragged into this debate, I looked at your link and think that this is evidence that "hate" crime  does tend to be narrowly defined (i.e white on black). I'm in favour of "topping" the lot!

[Didwot]

Yes, Cruthinboy. I for one do not think they should be strung up.

[gerry]

Gevs1996 from what i understand the 2 girls were bundled into a car by some of these men & driven to the hotel.Surely that counts as abduction?.

[netibiza]

But why didn't the hotel notice something untoward???

[natalie_1982]

Exactly netibiza, I understand the police can only divulge so much but it seems very odd!

[netibiza]

I've heard that the area was often used by "ladies of the night" so maybe thishotel rented by the hour and took no notice of screams and moans, as they were used to it.  Absolutely disgusting - why can't people help. Is everyone too scared in this day and age?? There must have been sounds of distress?

[cruthinboy]

Didwot - I'd ask why you don't think they should be strung up ... but I don't really care, because I'm sure I've heard it already - several times.

[Didwot]

I will tell you anyway.
1. Civilized society sholuld strive to more than mere retribution.
2. By killing the murderer you are lowering yourself.
3. There is no such thing as being 100% certain.
4. It is an issue about morality.
Those are just four headline points. Others can come up with more.
You do not have to agree with me. That is fine.

[cruthinboy]

I'd ceratinly hate to lower myself by taking out one of these scum! I recognise the issue of never being absolutely certain but that's the only argument against capital punishment I really accept.

Having said that, if any of these "men" were to suffer a nasty accident in custody - well, let's just say I won't be writing to the Guardian about it.

[tanyavee]

Yes Vinny chop their heads heads off. The b******ds.

[wellhungjock]

Why should we allow these men to live when they have murdered? Society has gone soft.

[cruthinboy]

Indeed wellhungjock, but I fear a liberal backlash to your words!

[Bangkok]

The police are not above determining guilt and ensuring a conviction based on that assumption (West Midlands Crimes Squad, anyone?).  I agree this seems to be truly appalling, to add to other appalling crimes.

However , to repeat a previous posting, I would agree to the death penalty if an adovacate carried it out, and would agree to being excuted in the same manner if reasonable doubt was subsequently cast on the safety of the conviction. 

The questioner does not address alternatives, such as life meaning more than 15 years.  If it was substantially longer, the calls for the death penalty may be more muted.