Bush approves execution of Army private

[SETIsLady]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush has approved the Army's request to execute a soldier convicted of rape and murder, the White House announced Monday evening.

Pvt. Ronald Gray has been on the military's death row at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, since 1988. His execution would be the first for the U.S. military since 1961, but the White House said it expects further appeals before the sentence is carried out.

"While approving a sentence of death for a member of our armed services is a serious and difficult decision for a commander-in-chief, the president believes the facts of this case leave no doubt that the sentence is just and warranted," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

Gray was convicted of raping and killing a female Army private and a civilian near his post at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was also convicted of the rape and attempted murder of another fellow soldier in her barracks at Fort Bragg.

"The president's thoughts and prayers are with the victims of these heinous crimes and their families and all others affected," Perino said.

Military courts have not yet set an execution date for Gray, who can still appeal through civilian federal courts. The Army also has sought Bush's authorization to execute another condemned soldier, Pvt. Dwight Loving, who was convicted of killing and robbing two cab drivers in 1988.

The last U.S. military execution was in 1961, when Army private John Bennett was hanged for raping and attempting to kill an 11-year-old Austrian girl.

Bush allowed 152 executions as governor of Texas and has signed off on three executions of federal inmates since he became president -- including that of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh, who was put to death by lethal injection in 2001

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/07/28/military.execution/

[Shimmering Auro]

This decision will most certainly get the anti-death penalty proponents whipped into a rabid froth.

[Cherry Kelly]

I for one see nothing wrong with carrying out the sentence of death - when proven beyond the shadow of doubt that the person is guilty of this type of crime.

Note especially "beyond the shadow of doubt" -

These people have been found guilty of horrendous crimes against other human beings. When proven beyond any doubt of their guilt - why shouldn't the death penalty mean just that?

[joequinn]

Thou shalt not kill! This soldier, if he is guilty of the crimes of which he is charged, had no right to kill. Neither does Bush.

Those of you who approve the death penalty so highly, what will you say when your local cops, Iraqi War vets all, decide to execute you in the back room of the police station for a busted tail light? What will you say then, huh, what will you say?

[Shirleypal]

Thou shalt not kill! This soldier, if he is guilty of the crimes of which he is charged, had no right to kill. Neither does Bush.

I agree Joe, let him rot the rest of his life in jail along with Bush.

[Kaztronic]

I can see absolutely no scenario where the Death Penalty is an acceptable form of justice.

As a society, we are no less barbaric than the criminals we execute.