Texas man faces execution after jurors consult Bible to decide fate

[GoldenCondor]

The link to the source I got this from is here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6338320/Texas-man-faces-execution-after-jurors-consult-Bible-to-decide-fate.html

In short, Kristian Oliver burgled a home and killed its owner with the owner's own rifle (beat to death).

When it was his trial just recently, some jurors had copies of the bible with them, using which they controlled his fate.
One of the bible passages used was "And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death."

I believe this is highly unconstitutional, and could be Texas just trying to break away from the USA.

What do you think about this?

EDIT: I do also think he should have been sentenced to death, but isn't using the bible as evidence sort of illegal?
It's like if I looked upon Harry Potter books when deciding if someone should die...

 

[Neonbob]

...that person should be sentenced to death anyway.
Beating someone to death, as far as I know, is something punishable by execution.
Just because the jurors had their bibles does not mean the burgler should get to escape his fate, or that they necessarily made the wrong call.

 

[The Austin]

Interesting. I guess he should be put to death.

 

[Cliff_m85]

Great job Texas, you just released a killer because you have a hard-on for the Bible.

 

[Nimbus]

This happend in 1999. A decade ago. People were more religious back then.

 

[HaloHappy]

Here's my philosophy on murder: "An eye for an eye." If you take a life for anything other than self-defense, yours should be taken as well.

 

[GoldenCondor]

This happend in 1999. A decade ago. People were more religious back then.

That's when he did the killing. The death sentence he received was just recently (he dies November 5).

 

[Julianking93]

The death penalty is wrong anyway, so this calls for

[spoiler/][image/]http://koltchak91120.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/double-facepalm.jpg[/IMG][/spoiler]

 

[Nimbus]

This happend in 1999. A decade ago. People were more religious back then.

That's when he did the killing. The death sentence he received was just recently (he dies November 5).

He was sentenced to death in 1999...

 

[GoldenCondor]

This happend in 1999. A decade ago. People were more religious back then.

That's when he did the killing. The death sentence he received was just recently (he dies November 5).

He was sentenced to death in 1999...

AH!
Oh well. Still news nobody heard of.

 

[archvile93]

I agree with everything you said (except the Texas breaking away from USA conspiricy part).

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

Who cares if the Bible was used (this is coming from an Atheist)? The guy deserves it anyway does he not?

 

[ma55ter_fett]

Well I agree with the holy book in this case. But, still a person should be able to make up there mind without haveing consult the bible it strikes me as them trying to "pass the buck" onto scripture.

But then thats Texas...

EDIT: Only jokeing about Texas, please don't take it too seriously.

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

Great job Texas, you just released a killer because you have a hard-on for the Bible.

What? He's dying for it.

 

[The Infamous Scamola]

Oh Christ, if there's one thing I hate more than the death penalty, it's religious backed sentencing.

What is this, Iran? Oh wait, it's Texas, so I guess it makes sense.

 

[bodyklok]

Well, this all ties in with the job of the Jury.
And there's really nothing that says they can't use inspiration from another source, though they're supposed to judge things objectively.

But I thought it was the Judge who did the sentencing anyway?

That aside, I'm against the death penalty, so my feelings for this are bad, naturally.

To be honest though, I wouldn't object to this being made illegal, no offence to the Christians but if I were charged with a crime I certainly wouldn't want the people judging me to be doing so based on a book written 2000 years ago which contains such gems as... Oh, you don't even need me to list them.

 

[Cliff_m85]

Great job Texas, you just released a killer because you have a hard-on for the Bible.

Were you paying attention at all?

He was sentenced to death, he wasn't released.

It's the law here in Texas anyway, to be put to death for murdering another human being. It's the jury's job to come to a consensus about whether the defendant is guilty or not.

Just because the jurors took solace in the bible justifying their decision, doesn't mean they drew their reasoning from the bible. I'm also quite certain that jurors do not create the sentence, the judge does, but that part I'm not 100% on.

Mistrial added with double jeopardy. He has a good chance to go free.

 

[elitemonkeh]

Of course it shouldn't be based on that. Theres a verse in the bible that says children who speak out against their parents should be put to death but if we followed that human beings would've died out ages ago.

Now whether I believe he should be put to death for the crimes he committed is a different matter but no it should not be based on the bible.

To answer previous questions, yes the Jury decides whether or not the defendant is guilty and the judge decides the punishment. If the judge had decided to execute the man based on the bible it would be an outrage because the judge is supposed to base punishments on the constitution, not some ancient book of ... oh never mind I don't wish to offend.