A woman in England was found guilty of murdering her two children. In 1996 she smothered her 11 week old baby and in 1998 she killed her 8 week old baby. The court heard that the chances of a second cot death in the family was 73 million to 1. She got life but that probably only means 14 years.

Lock her up in a cell, covered with painted faces of her murdered kids. Gives her something to think about the next 14 years.

ONLY IF THERE IS NO DOUBT OF GUILT:

death by public execution.
Sorry - this person gave up their right to life. IMO, almost no right is inalienable, and one way you lose a right, especially one so final as the right to life, is by taking it from another.

Smother HER with a pillow.

Give her compassion and make her understand what she has done..

If she done it I forgo to add..

[ 01-30-2003, 10:27 AM: Message edited by: WOLFGIR ]

But surely they had more evidence than just a statistic?

Well nobody saw her do it and she claimed it was two cot deaths so I suppose there has to be some doubt.

I think a mother killing two of her children in such a cold manner has to have something wrong with them personally. I for one wouldn't mind finding out what it is and trying to get the best out of the situation. I don't think deterrance is much of an issue here - after all, how much does this happen? And I think people are already generally of the opinion that its a bad thing without the courts telling them so...

The main thing for me is getting best out of the situation. Ok, so I have a very utilitarian view of justice. One of my fellow Political philosiphy students says that makes me "morally bankrupt". I think it just makes me sensible. But then again, I would wouldn't I.

Would this be the case of the mother who was jailed and appealed, by any chance? She got life, but was freed a few days ago only serving 3 years. The appeal court heard new evidence that stated that one of the babies probably died from a severe infection.

But, you've not answered the question, Barry. HOW would you get the best out of the situation? What would the utilitarian DO? I'm pretty utilitarian too, and I see my answer as a quick and efficient and just solution for society. But, I'm *positive* we differ on what should be done.