Despite rehabilitation claim, Tucker to be executed today

The impending execution of convicted murderer turned born-again Christian, Karla Faye Tucker, 38, has sparked some new debate about the death penalty and when it should be applied.

Tucker, convicted of using a pickax to hack her ex-lover, Jerry Lynn Dean, and his companion, Deborah Thornton, to death while they were asleep, was sentenced to death in 1984.

Fourteen years later, Tucker is scheduled for execution by lethal injection today in Huntsville, Texas.

Tucker, who claims to be rehabilitated after turning to religion, was denied her plea for clemency yesterday by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, according to The Associated Press.

- Brad Park, a member of Young Americans for Freedom

"If there was ever a poster child for granting someone clemency, she's the one," said Teresa Kaltz, a member of the Penn State chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Kaltz said she believes that this case has gotten extra media attention for two reasons.

"One, because she is a woman and two, because she is fairly photogenic," Kaltz said. "(The media) feeds into the fact that she doesn't fit into the stereotypical character of death row."

Supporters of the death penalty disagree with Kaltz and her colleagues.

"First off, I would say that the death penalty should have been implemented very soon after the criminal was convicted," Brad Park, a member of Young Americans for Freedom, said.

"Some people have been on death row for so long. To me this whole scenario illustrates the problem of not executing murderers within a limited time period," he said. "You get into this gray area. That's what's fundamentally wrong within our justice system."

Some people feel if Tucker is actually rehabilitated, she should not receive the death penalty, but should be sentenced to life imprisonment.

"She took a life so she has to give up hers, but I think the death penalty is a little harsh, especially if is she is rehabilitated," said Amber Kelly (sophomore-business). "I would feel that way whether or not she was a woman."

Chad Capela (junior-landscape architecture) agreed that gender should have no effect on the outcome.

"Her being a woman has nothing to do with it," he said. "Nowadays people just want guys and girls to be equal, so it should be that way."