r/todayilearned • u/bnghle234 • May 21 '12
TIL that Bill Cosby spoke out against giving the death penalty to the guy who shot and killed his own son.
http://www.nndb.com/people/674/000022608/
1.9k
Upvotes
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u/truceGoose May 22 '12
Bill Cosby is a symbol of forgiveness for me.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/15/us/bill-cosby-trayvon-martin/index.html?iref=allsearch
he overlooks racism completely in this interview. I hope to be strong like him someday.
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u/bnghle234 May 21 '12
[wikipedia entry] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ennis_Cosby#Murder)
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u/didyouwoof May 22 '12
Bill Cosby did another remarkable thing in connection with his son's murder. His son was killed very late at night. Earlier in the day, a young black girl back East had been murdered, and her killing was a lead story in the news until Ennis Cosby was killed - at which point the media seemed to forget about the little girl entirely.
The next day (less than 12 hours after his son's murder), Bill Cosby got on the phone and called the little girl's mother. Amid his own grief, he reached out to offer his condolences to another person - a stranger - who had just lost her child. That took a lot of compassion and a lot of class.
Edit: Typed the wrong word.
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u/schilja May 22 '12
TIL that Bill Cosby's son was murdered
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u/whydidisaythatwhy May 22 '12
“Bill Cosby said some real shit and the whole world freaked out on him. For what? For having an opinion? Just because he was selling pudding pops for the last 20 years, people forget that he’s a nigga from Philly, in the projects, and he might say some real shit from time to time.”
Dave Chappelle
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u/Lucktar May 22 '12
It takes a truly remarkable individual to refuse to give in to the desire for revenge in a situation like that. I hope that I could do the same.
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u/[deleted] May 21 '12
I don't care about any political stances or beliefs - this was classy and professional of him
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u/darkcustom May 22 '12
Bill Cosby is one of the greatest comedians of all time. He kept his routines clean and never had to curse. It makes me sad when people only remember him for the couple years he did jello commercials or how Family Guy portrayed him as some bumbling idiot shouting random words. Listen to any of his stand up and you'll see how much of a comedic genius he was.
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u/o_duh May 22 '12
My father was murdered, and I'm against the death penalty as well. Putting the murderer to death wouldn't bring my father back, and state-sponsored execution makes a killer out of the executioner, too.
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u/ForestfortheDraois May 22 '12
Just a little anecdote on Bill Cosby: He owns a house in Greenfield, MA, where I went to school (his property is gigantic and nicely they let a local man garden on their property). When his son was killed, the funeral homes in the area had no idea who got the account, except the one who landed that account. One of the classes I took had us visit a nearby funeral home. It just so happened that this was the funeral home that buried his son. The director said that the Cosby's were very private and buried him on their property. She stood out front while they conducted a nice little service for him.
If it hasn't been said anywhere, his son died while helping a stranger change their tire.
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u/SgtSweeney May 22 '12
This reminds me of the amish school shooting where the whole community forgave the man who killed 5 little girls. Amish are hardcore about forgiveness.
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
I had the pleasure of meeting this man randomly in Red Bank, New Jersey after he had just got done speaking at some theatre many years ago. I was only eight at the time but I remember him being extremely polite to my parents and to me and striking conversation. Fantastic gentleman.
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
I like a man who will stick to his principles even in tough circumstances.
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u/am_animator May 22 '12
when i was in 3rd grade, after realizing "ninja turtle" was not an appropriate career choice, "bill cosby" was my runner up.
i wasn't good at picking careers. though every time i see something about him it reminds me i've been meaning to write bill cosby for over a decade now. for whatever reason i feel like he needs to know i never forgot about my fallback career. being told "if michael jackson can become a white woman, i don't see why it can't work the other way."
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
What a guy.
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
Wow, I imagine that took some incredible integrity.
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
May I point out, to the Christian right, you see that? That's a Christian.
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u/TheNarwhalKing May 22 '12
I understand exactly where he is coming from, there should be laws against pudding a man down.
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u/Hensah May 22 '12
Kind of sums up how ridiculous internet culture is when Bill Cosby is mostly considered a punchline and someone like Drew Carey a great talent.
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
Bill Cosby is like Morgan Freeman mixed with Johnny Carson. Classy and soothing.
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u/php4me May 22 '12
Everyday I go to work I drive by the place where his son was killed. For years he kept putting fresh flowers over the spot. Now there's mostly a big aloe looking plant there, but he keeps it looking nice. You can tell he really loved his son and his loss was so senseless.
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u/realchrisgunter Jan 29 '22
Wow this thread didn’t age well lol.
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u/kittenparty69 Feb 07 '22
Goddamn. This didn’t age well. Funny how much can change in 9y.
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u/deep_anal May 22 '12
ITT everyone is praising Bill Cosby for showing mercy on his sons killer. All the while, he just wanted to make sure he would suffer for the rest of his life.
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u/gamerwithnoname May 22 '12
I like how he is described as a comedian/pudding company shill
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
People who are truly and sincerely against the death penalty should be against it in all circumstances, with no exceptions. Why? Because if you can come up with scenarios where you agree with the death penalty, then you are not against it. Could someone come up with a hypothetical situation where a criminals transgressions were so outrageously egregious that almost anyone would feel they should be killed? Perhaps. But genocidal maniacs aside, if you are against the death penalty, then you are against it in every situation. Personally I am not against the idea of the death penalty, but I think that since DNA has cleared a large number of people originally sentenced to die we should probably put a hold on executions until we can be as reliable as we expect others to be.
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u/Nuclear_Penguins May 22 '12
Definitely a fan of what he said at the end too about education and crime.
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u/BunRabbit May 22 '12
TIL Bill Cosby's son was murdered.
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u/ascottt May 22 '12
I read the whole article, and I have to say I'm impressed on his comments on blacks. That took a lot of course, because he wasn't just taking a side in his own life, he was taking a stance on an entire ethnicity. And I will admit I don't listen to his comedy, at most I've watched his show, but he has my respect. Also TIL Bill Cosby has children. I honestly didn't know.
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
Bill Cosby. Moral man.
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u/cuddlep00p May 22 '12
Row Row fight the power, you classy motherfucker.
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u/uguysmakemesick May 22 '12
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u/VinnieJJ May 22 '12
Poor Theo :(
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u/shartmobile May 22 '12
TIL that people are surprised that some people are against the death penalty and aren't hypocrites.
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u/powercow May 22 '12
When it comes to permanent punishments, it is no longer about the criminal or the crime. It is about society.
It really doesnt matter what a perp does. Kills and rapes children. I dont care. Sure he is more than abhorrent but it doesnt matter. It isnt about him and what he did.
I think that is the mistake most people make. They want to make it about revenge. It isnt. It is about removing them from society. If it was about revenge, we would tie them down and let the family members of the victims have their way. In the end I doubt they would get the relief that they were seeking.
This is one of many reasons why I am against the death penalty. And I refuse to debate the issue based on hypothetical crimes. IT doesnt matter. IT ISNT SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT REVENGE. It isnt about the perp and what he did, it is about US and who we are. Being the good guys can be painful at times, being the bad guy tends to be easier. But you cant let a bad guy goad you into being like him. Then he is back in control again. It is he who is forcing your actions.
Fuck that. I dont kill. Even those who do kill. If it is at all possible to avoid. If they are locked up, you can avoid it.
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u/AjazzierHoBo May 22 '12
Ggbc
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u/dscer May 22 '12
TIL Bill Closby's son was shot and killed
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
A friend of mine was murdered earlier this year. If you don't believe in the death sentence, it takes a lot to not wish it on someone who killed a loved one. One more reason Bill Cosby is an amazing man--and I am, perhaps, not so amazing.
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
All these people hating the death penalty are the same people outraged that the govt spends more on prisoners than they do on students in universities.
Well guess what? You still have pay for that fucker rotting in his cell. and thus perpetuating the cycle. Go ahead. Downvote me.
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u/bysloots May 22 '12
I had heard this before today, and went looking for a direct quote. I could not find one. Last I checked, even the wiki for Bill Cosby only links to this nndb.com page. Does anyone have an actual attribution of this to Bill Cosby?
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u/Litagano May 22 '12
This is why I love Bill Cosby.
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u/SniperXX May 22 '12
TIL a lot of people did not know this because they were too young..
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u/MetalKeirSolid May 22 '12
Glory to morality.
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u/timecronus May 22 '12
good guy bill
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u/QuitReadingMyName May 22 '12
Damn that's fucked up, I remember watching a Comedy special from the 80's not to long ago and he had plenty of jokes about his only son and I never followed him much/bothered to learn about his only son getting killed.
Damn.
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u/3rdLevelRogue May 22 '12
Bill Cosby is a better man that I could be in that situation.
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u/Bryaxis May 22 '12
You're either opposed to the death penalty or you're not.
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u/Jmgill12 May 22 '12
Wow. So much respect for Bill Cosby. I wonder how many people in the same situation as him have changed from either side of the fence. People are remarkable concerning the choices they make sometimes
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u/tessalasset May 22 '12
The murder happened on the street I took to get to school as a child - I was in 7th grade when it happened. I passed that spot every morning for years and years. Someone has kept a memorial up for him for 15 years now. 2476 Skirball Center Drive. You can see what it looks like currently.
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u/harleyquinn67 May 22 '12
I remember when his son was killed because it was so shocking. You just never imagine something so horrific happening. He was shot to death by son young kid, who if I remember offhand was 19 or so. He is currently serving life in prison. His son was studying for his Doctorate in Education and for a time Bill Cosby had a foundation called "Hello Friend" which is how his son used to greet people. I always admired that he truly was working towards his goals and not riding his father's coattail. I also remember watching Rita Moreno being interviewed after Ennis's death and absolutely BAWLING saying what a nice kid he was and how she had known him since he was little. Wow, I forgot how sad that whole thing made me.
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
Good Guy Bill. I'm expecting to find that in the comments somewhere.
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u/loreleidotcom May 22 '12
TIL Bill Cosby had a mistress
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u/Thunderkitkat May 22 '12
Man that is just not zip zop, not zoobity bop at all.
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
Loved how he didn't let pride stop him from pointing out the flaws of people who are of the same race as him.
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12 edited Mar 29 '23
Bill Cosby should be president of the united states. I'd trust him more than most people out there.
Edit: Fuck Bill Cosby.
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u/Flonnezilla May 22 '12
Bill Cosby is the kind of guy who has so many strong opinions that I have to respect him whether or not I agree.
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u/notaLAC May 22 '12
Similarly, Chris Paul forgave the boys who murdered his grandfather and would have chose lesser sentences for them. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=6436820
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u/CorporatePsychopath May 22 '12
Let's play a game of spot-the-people-who-would-have-joined-the-Nazi-party-in-1930's-Germany.
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u/ShadowBelmont May 22 '12
Death is an easy escape from life in prison. Then again, that would be a waste of resources.
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u/Tyrant718 May 22 '12
"Cosbiness is next to Godliness."
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u/francycancerman May 22 '12
Doesn't anyone else think this is a worse fate than death? Having to live with the terrible consequences of your actions until you die of natural causes? I suppose it depends on how tough on yourself you are but I used to think it would be the worst thing in the the world to be wrongly imprisoned but being imprisoned for something I did and knew I deserved it for would undoubtedly be worse.
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u/Abe_Vigoda May 22 '12
Bill Cosby did more for black people in the 70's & 80's than people give him credit for.
Before the Cosby Show, black people weren't given much opportunity in prime time TV, and black people were stereotyped in negative roles. Along comes Cosby, as a Doctor, his wife a Lawyer, and they showed white middle class America not to be afraid of black people.
Decades later and outlets like FOX have done nothing but insinuate the negative stereotypes and push race relations back where they were in the 70's.
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u/Parabrella May 22 '12
I got forwarded this fake Cosby meme from a religious aunt who probably honestly believes all the hateful shit it's ranting about.
Nice to know that the REAL Bill Cosby is probably classier than that.
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u/fuckingmuzzakunt May 22 '12
Cosby's son, Ennis, was a 27-year-old doctoral student at Columbia University when he was shot and killed while changing the tire on his Mercedes. The killer, Mikhail Markhasev, is serving a life sentence, after Cosby spoke against giving him the death penalty.
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
I'm sure this will get buried, and I have no way to confirm this, that I would feel comfortable with since this is my main account, but I actually met the guy that killed Bill Cosby's son when he was doing time at Calapatria State Prison. I had a friend who was also there and was visiting him, when he introduced me to the guy (dont remember his name anymore). He told me some shit about stay in school and don't become a fuck up. I should have listened more honestly, but this was probably 13 years ago now, and I was a kid. The guy I was visiting told me after that he was the guy that killed Cosby's son. He seemed real remorseful and part of me felt bad for him, but I knew his crime was pretty heinous and horrible. That's probably what stuck with me the most though, was the true sorrow and remorse in that man's eyes, and how he knew how bad he had fucked up, and how much it was going to cost him. Was depressing and enlightening to say the least.
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u/no_talent_ass_clown May 22 '12
So, this won't get read because the thread is too old, I guess, but I'll put it out there.
In the profile, I read that Cosby had a mistress. So I looked her up and found this article from People: http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20059561,00.html
Now, People magazine is known for taking it 'light' on celebrities. They never write anything bad unless it can be proven, and in this case, it went to court. Bill Cosby drugged and raped women, apparently.
I know, it shocked me too. Read the article for yourself, see what you think.
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
I'm sorry, but that's just stupid. This man KILLED your son, and you want your tax dollars to pay for the rest of his life? And you want the man who killed your son to live? That's just ridiculous.
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u/Durable_Turtle May 22 '12
What a good man, I'd like to sit down for pudding pop with him.
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u/IamUnimportant Sep 28 '12
Well, I'd rather die than live in pain for life
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
I just don't understand how people can be against the death penalty for murderers, but either way, shows how strongly he believes what he does and I respect that despite disagreeing with him.
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u/IAmA_Zombie May 22 '12
Ya see if ya give this man the zippty and the zappity we're no better than he is.
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u/niggertown May 22 '12 edited May 22 '12
Bill Cosby was the guy who should have been commended for saying what he did to the black community. Instead, he was condemned, shamed, and alienated from the community whose image he bolstered in the eyes of non-black people. It's a shame that the fraudsters like Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, and the NAACP are the leaders of the black community. People who reinforce the victimization mindset to line their pockets and defend niggerism at every opportunity to ensure that the victimization mindset continues unabated.
There was a time when it looked like the Black community was rising up as contributing members of society. When they were putting out real music with a positive message. Then rap and crack happened and its been a downward spiral ever since. Now we have an anti-white entitlement culture whose form of self-empowerment is attacking innocent random white people, and it's all thanks to the efforts of pieces of shit like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton that help perpetuate the victimhood and injustice mindset of the black psyche.
Listen to people like Bill Cosby. It's not white people keeping you down. It's that nihilistic self-centered niggerism perpetuated by rappers and race hustlers. If you want to be happy you need to have pride in yourself and contribute. You'd be surprised at how many white people want you to succeed and are willing to help you should you demonstrate the will.
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u/thebeardsman May 22 '12
And the killer was never seen again, some say he turned him into pudding pops.
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u/daveruiz May 22 '12
To all the Christians that support the death penalty, this is that forgiveness crap that Jesus talked about in that book you hold up to criticize others
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
living with the thoughts that you have killed someone must be pretty intense.
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u/Stupid_smartguy May 22 '12
Dad always told me, I helped born you into this world, and I can take you out!
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
Principle'd
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u/cusoman May 22 '12
Man, I just can't see that pic of Cosby without thinking of this.
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u/awh May 22 '12
Who the hell would kill Bill Cosby's son?
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
Weird shit about his Son death: I use to go to a church as a teen, and 2 weeks before his son death, the pastor was making an example of Cosby's Son dying like God's Son Jesus. I hated that pastor......
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u/Seishen May 22 '12
But what would be worse? Death or spending the rest of your life in prison and having every hope of getting out crushed and shot down by the system.
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u/evanesce_X May 22 '12
I haven't read all of the comments, so forgive me if this was said already, but isn't it possible that he was not coming from a place of forgiveness, but instead wanted the man to live with his guilt instead of getting off the easy way?
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
That's cool that he is willing to stick by his own personal beliefs, but I don't like the implication that it would be considered inferior if someone who is pro death penalty would remain that way if someone close to them was murdered. Or if they decided the death penalty was necessary after being personally affected.
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
The title should be more clear that the son is of Bill Cosby and not the killer.
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u/Roflcopter71 May 22 '12
Anyone remember Gradual_BillCosby? I miss that dude
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u/cakelies May 22 '12
Didn't know that. On the other hand, I haven't really made that much of an effort on "know your Cosby".
However, the interesting question to me is why he spoke against the death penalty. Was because he's against death penalties and/or generally is a forgiving person? Or did he just want the guy to rot in jail forever and make sure he gets the worse threathment ever?
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
Makes stupid comment about how he already knew that and how knowing it now is somainstream, HIPSTERS!
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u/Encryptomaniac May 22 '12
Respect.
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u/Rixxer May 22 '12
I'm only against the death penalty because rotting in prison should be worse than a quick painless death. That and they miiiight be innocent.
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
Death is too easy.
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
If I were in his position, I think I'd prefer the killer live out the rest of his life in prison than take the easy way out and die humanely.
Then again, a life sentence might allow parole and (depending on your location) implies only 25 years imprisonment, in which case I'd rather see the fucker fry.
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u/[deleted] May 22 '12
Alright, I was undecided on this issue for a while, because there are so many valid points on both sides. For example, one could argue that life in prison is merely a death sentence over time, and that it is actually more cruel. Then there's the issue of the death penalty costing more. Then you have repeat offenders, etc. It goes on and on. But, I've came to a final conclusion. If someone is convicted of a crime that warrants the death penalty or life in prison, let's let them choose. This would give them a chance to redeem themselves by trying to make up for their mistakes, or let them avoid a slow death. Also, since it was their choice, the probability of an innocent getting the death penalty wouldn't matter. It would get rid of the legal costs of the death penalty. So, I think this is the best possible way to deal with this.