The diverse feelings are also intertwined with another ongoing South Dakota debate. Voters will decide in November whether a law passed by the South Dakota Legislature and signed by South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds banning all abortions except those necessary to preserve the life of the mother will go on the books. As a result, Page's execution has also involved discussion on whether support for the death penalty is reconcilable with wanting to ban abortions.
Two possibilities could still halt the execution. First, Rounds could step in and commute Page's sentence. On August 20, though, he told the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, "I don't have any plans to intervene."
The second rests with Page himself. According to South Dakota Attorney General Larry Long, Page can change his mind any time up until he is physically unable to do so. That is because Page, in essence, volunteered for execution by withdrawing any further legal challenges to it. Because Page still retains those rights, however, a request to stop the execution would be honored immediately, even if made while laying on the gurney in the execution room, according to Long.
Some death penalty opponents protested Sunday in Pierre, the state capital, and Sioux Falls, the site of the South Dakota Penitentiary, where the execution will take place. The South Dakota Peace and Justice Center plans a protest vigil near the penitentiary Monday and Tuesday.
Article comments
1 - Peter J
Good article Tim,
I have to say that I'm a bit surprised that there hasn't been an execution in South Dakota since 1947.
I am personally 100% in favor of the death penalty for any and all violent crimes that include rapes, murder, torture and the like. I'm not the kind of person given to excuses such as a very troubled childhood, raw deals in life, whatever.
There are many people walking the earth who were beaten, molested, or horribly mistreated in their youth and to a point I can empathize with them. That is tragic, but it certainly is no excuse for committing those crimes against innocent people. There are many people who suffered horrible abuse as children and I know first hand of kids (who are now grown) who had things a lot worse than most and were ever compelled to pass that anger and pain on to an innocent. In fact, it worked the opposite for many. As far as beatings I myself endured as a child I was left with the thought 'why would this person be doing this to me and when I grow up I will never treat anyone this way' and that's the way it is. I could never raise my hand to my child because of this lesson.
As far as the death sentence goes that's the price one pays for the most gruesome, horrific crimes against humanity. They should be thankful that I don't get to choose the manner of death. I would gather the families, pass out the pliers and propane lighters and commence with the happy fizzie party.
2 - RJ Elliott
"Among other things, reports indicate Page was sexually abused by his mother as early as age two and that his mother sold her children to others in exchange for money and drugs. His stepfather also reportedly used Page as a shield when he thought he was being attacked by drug dealers. In addition, a Missouri court determined the stepfather had physically and sexually abused the children, including allowing others to sexually abuse them in exchange for drugs."
Horrific and disturbing. Nonetheless, the people of the state of South Dakota have allowed the dealth penalty to remain in force. The USSC has allowed states to keep the death penalty. And this monster's crimes are surely worthy of the "rough justice" of capital punishment.
I care not about his various mitigating circumstances. He brutally murdered an innocent, in cold blood. Most people who have experienced the kinds of victimization he has faced have NOT brutally slaughtered an innocent as a response.
His death is well deserved.
3 - Dave Fett
Gov. Rounds is a pussy.
4 - larry
DEATH. he deserves it!!