Jim Holt on Crime

Two eyewitnesses are good enough for capital punishment

When there are two eyewitnesses (one witness could and possibly should be DNA testing) I am for capital punishment. Capital punishment is necessary for justice when someone takes the innocent life of another. It has also proven to be a strong deterrent. Source: Campaign website, JimHolt.us, "Issues" Jul 12, 2004

'Mentally impaired' or 'insanity' plea thwart justice

Anyone who commits murder is mentally impaired. However, those are situations where the individual circumstances are critical. First, guilt must be without the shadow of a doubt. Then a jury must decide if it is just to execute or not. Many times criminals use the `mentally impaired' or `insanity' plea to cling to life, and justice is thwarted. Saying someone did not know what he or she was doing is really irrelevant. Justice is served on the basis of what we do not who we are. Source: Campaign website, JimHolt.us, "Issues" Jul 12, 2004

Concerned about innocents being put to death

I do have a concern that innocent people may sometimes be put to death because they may not be able to afford a quality attorney. I also am concerned that it is sometimes used when there are not two eyewitnesses to the crime. In the Old Testament that was the standard before anyone could be put to death. This is one area where we are harsher than the Old Testament! Source: Campaign website, JimHolt.us, "Issues" Jul 12, 2004

End parole for repeat violent offenders

End parole for repeat violent offenders.
Support contracting with private sector firms to build and/or manage state prisons.
Minors accused of a violent crime should be prosecuted as adults.
Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.

Source: 2002 Arkansas National Political Awareness Test Jul 2, 2002

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