[Harry Rex Vonner]

You have some credibility, Hoot, because you have, unlike most, been in a courtroom and have been a member of a jury. From your description of the event, I would agree that the accused, whom you readily admit was guilty, had poor representation. The law provides for anyone in a criminal trial who feels he/she has received incompetent representation to file what amounts to a complaint against said attorney. the courts and the legal system take such complaints very seriously. If it appears to be true, the accused will likely receive a new trial with new representation. It happens quite often.

The delay in trials and appeals are not caused by the prosecution. It is a tactic used exclusively by the defense. If the prosecution were to needlessly delay, it would quickly run into the constitutional right of the defendant to a speedy trial. Delay tactics are almost always used as a tool by the defense. So, the reality is that the snail's pace of these capital cases is caused by the accused and his/her attorneys and never by the prosecution. After all, if the defense attorney can drag, spin, and delay long enough, his client will likely die after a long life on death row. Or, as with Manson, some oddball court may declare the death penalty unconstitutional twhich would result in a reprieve for all on death row. That is how the game of law really works.

Cut out some of the frivilous appeals and delays, all caused by the defendant, and you will see a more speedy trip from the crime to the trial to the carrying out of the sentence. Believe me when I say that the prosecution would welcome much more speed and less delay.

I am still waiting on someone to name anyone executed wrongfully in Kentucky. I suspect that none will be forthcoming.

As for the deterrent factor, I would say it depends upon the individual. However, one fact is certain. If one is executed for murder, he/she will not murder again.