My views on the death penalty are deep seated and hard to discuss. First I will give you a little background information about myself in order to lend some credibility my direction. I am sorry to share this with you but it happened and is necessary to discuss this topic. In 1993 my ex-wife Cynthia, daughter Tonya, who was five and son Timothy, who was three, were shot in the head and face then subsequently buried just beyond the tree line of a small field in Piedmont, Oklahoma. I will provide links after the article if you are interested in the details. The point of this writing is to divulge my actions to this event and determine the course I should take in the future, for you see; the man that committed this act is still alive as you read this.
The Canadian County prosecutor Kathy Stalker asked me to testify on the stand that I wanted the death penalty to be given to Michael Hooper for the murder of my children. Now previous to this I had never really thought about how I felt about the death penalty and most likely gave the answer most men do when questioned about it. “I’d kill the son of a bitch myself if they would let me”. Well that sounds good until the cards are on the table. I suppose this is why I call it the “hard ball” you better catch the dammed thing because if it hits you it will leave a lasting mark. Anyway, on one hand I was angry and wanted revenge on the other I believe killing is wrong and a sin in the eyes of God unless it is to protect yourself or someone else. If you get down to it there are some animals I would protect with deadly force in I needed to, so I have some serious convictions in this regard. In other words I believe murder is wrong and killing may be necessary for survival; that is a debate unto itself that we may explore at a later time. I simply want you to understand my beliefs I am not questioning yours. I had a decision to make and the prosecutors as well as the news were waiting to see what I would say. I said “I just don’t want anyone else to die”. Needless to say the prosecutor did not have me testify and the news did not get their sensational reaction. I was subdued, hurt, and very confused but I did know one thing, death was not the answer to my problem so I made my choice.
Looking back there was a time when I regretted that choice immensely. I thought I had been a coward and would not stand up for what is right. Well guess what I made the right choice. I was not a coward quite the opposite I stood up to every authority figure you could imagine and spoke what I believed was truth. I wanted no unnecessary death. Was that wrong? I think not. The man will never see the light of day. I have met Michael before this happened and I intimidated him not vice versa. (Cindy needed help getting her clothes from their apartment and I made sure he behaved.) So he is not a huge menacing threat in prison and he will never be released. I am satisfied with that. While I can never understand why he did what he did I do feel compassion for him and his family and I forgive their transgressions. God will deal with him. On a side note I would like to ask talk to him face to face and give him the opportunity to tell me what happened and let him know I forgive him. Maybe he will ask God for forgiveness and I could save a soul. I would like that.
It seems that after all this that I now have a dilemma. I have been told that Cindy’s parents forgive him as well I do not know for sure it is only hearsay. With that said if I publicly forgive him it may save his life. So should I or should I leave it alone? I would like some real input on this from the readers. Please no emotional titrates about right and wrong I have told you what I believe is right and you will not change my mind trust me. I need help in determining if it is right to address this now that I am sure of what I want and why, in light of the impact it may have on others. If I thought it could harm another person I would never do it because the only real change could be his life being spared and my feeling better about how I handled the situation. Is this a selfish act or a just act because I believe that killing him is simply a form of revenge and not the extermination of a truly evil being? That is one hell of a question is it not.
And lastly there is one other not so small consideration to weight in this matter. A very close friend of mine and Tonya’s as well is in general population in the same prison. I do not think they know it and I have not discussed this with anyone of relevance, however it is true. I will not divulge my friends name in this article as he does not need the attention I’m sure, but it is safe to say that Mr. Hooper would most likely not have a very enjoyable or lengthy sentence commute.
Any thoughts or comments can be replied to the posts of this article. I will put it in various places around the net. You may also email me direct at jimjarman68@live.com. My other writings can be viewed at http://hubpages.com/profil
Sincerely,
James R. Jarman
