August 2, 2002

1:52 PM

Death Penalty. "First degree murder carries a penalty of life imprisonment or death without eligibility for probation or parole." Does that mean there's no afterlife or reincarnation for convicted murderers? (I really just wanted to post something about the death penalty that shouldn't provoke the usual debate.)
posted by kcmoryan (9 comments total)

I don't believe in the afterlife for anyone, but that's me...
posted by stifford at 1:54 PM on August 2, 2002

Stop the presses! Journalist writes confusing sentence! Film at 11.
posted by rcade at 1:57 PM on August 2, 2002

I think without probation or parole is like the state saying: you're going to jail for life, and we mean it this time. People can be paroled for life sentences, I believe.
posted by insomnyuk at 2:01 PM on August 2, 2002

There is an afterlife for those with life sentences, but in that afterlife those souls have to go to after life jail. It is just like mortal jail, except everything is run by spirits and souls and such. If the felon subscribes to a faith following reincarnation, then the soul goes into a similarly detained lesser being, for instance one day Charles Manson may occupy a terrarium in the insect house of a city zoo. Similarly other people take on their life roles in the after life. So if you are a prison warden or a zoo keeper while on earth, you will take the same role after you die. This is all of course undocumented, but no one can prove me wrong and it is fun to play prophet.
posted by topherbecker at 2:04 PM on August 2, 2002

I really just wanted to post something about the death penalty that shouldn't provoke the usual debate.

Call back later and see how it went. Badly I bet. :)
posted by vbfg at 2:06 PM on August 2, 2002

Yes, people can be paroled for life sentences. My ex-wife received a life sentence, and she is eligible for parole when she turns....76, I think. It all depends on how the ruling comes out, and who the judge is, and who he plays golf with, and who slips him a five under the table. The sentencing phase is what determines the possibility of parole, I believe.
posted by bradth27 at 2:50 PM on August 2, 2002

My ex-wife received a life sentence...

There is a story in this I'm sure....
posted by aaronscool at 3:05 PM on August 2, 2002

Only if you believe civil authority controls afterlife.
posted by flatlander at 3:39 PM on August 2, 2002

The afterlife, of course, is ruled by evil frog-people. Is this not common knowledge?
posted by bradth27 at 3:46 PM on August 2, 2002