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Would you turn your child in if they face the death penalty

(134 Posts)
rafichagran Fri 12-Sept-25 17:12:58

I have just been reading a discussion on mumsnet about this and there are some strong opinions.
This discussion is in connection to the Charlie Kirk murder. I would not, I don't believe in state sanctioned murder, I could not send him to his death, and watch as they allow relatives to do in the states that have capital punishment on America, Utah does. Also emotion comes into it, it is my child.

sodapop Mon 15-Sept-25 12:51:23

In a case of premeditated murder such as Charlie Kirk then my concern would be that my child if not stopped would go on to kill more people. As someone else said this is not like something happening in the heat of the moment.

Wyllow3 Tue 16-Sept-25 07:41:31

Iam64

A yiung man was arrested after claiming to relatives that he killed Charlie Kirk. From the limited information we have, it seems his behaviour, beliefs in recent times had caused concern. Maybe another isolated lost yiung man being influenced on line and reflecting the polarised views increasingly evident in society

I see his parents are being asked what they did to lead him to behave like this. Some people develop mental health problems, some children are easier to bring up than others.

Would I turn one of my adult children in if I found they’d committed a murder. I’d try to persuade them to come with me. If they refused, yes Id call the police. Taking a life isn’t like taking an item, a car or a valuable painting. It’s killing a living human.

I agree, Iam, what a good post.

Iam64 Tue 16-Sept-25 08:48:58

theworriedwell

It's about handing your child in to face the death penalty, your beliefs about the death penalty are obviously going to affect your decision.

I’m relieved we don’t have the death penalty.
We are discussing America, not only do they have the death penalty, they allow the relatives of the murder victim to watch their state execute the (alleged convicted ) murderer.
I find it totally abhorrent.
I expect if I was American, knowing the death penalty was a possibility, that wouldn’t stop me wanting my adult child to hand themselves in.

Doodledog Tue 16-Sept-25 09:18:52

Luckily none of us is going to have to put this to the test, so the debate is more about whether we think we would let love for our children override a belief in the rule of law and preventing further possible deaths. An impossible choice, with numerous shades of grey.

Mollygo Tue 16-Sept-25 10:45:12

Doodledog

Luckily none of us is going to have to put this to the test, so the debate is more about whether we think we would let love for our children override a belief in the rule of law and preventing further possible deaths. An impossible choice, with numerous shades of grey.

That sums it up well.

Rosie51 Tue 16-Sept-25 11:51:06

Mollygo

Doodledog

Luckily none of us is going to have to put this to the test, so the debate is more about whether we think we would let love for our children override a belief in the rule of law and preventing further possible deaths. An impossible choice, with numerous shades of grey.

That sums it up well.

I agree! 'In theory' is a wonderful place where we can extol our individual moral codes with absolutely no consequences. Real life is rather different and until actually faced with any particular dilemma the best we can do is hope our moral code would be sustained.

Cossy Tue 16-Sept-25 12:33:08

Doodledog

No, I wouldn't.

Apart from not approving of the death penalty, as a mother I just couldn't do that.

What I would do about it, I just don't know, thank goodness. What a terrible position to be in.

Completely my stance.

Murder is never right, either by an individual or the state.

theworriedwell Tue 16-Sept-25 15:32:14

I hate the "you don't know how you'd feel.". Yes I do and it's patronising to tell other people they don't know their own minds.

I had it when pregnant at nearly 40, people telling me I'd have the tests when it came to it. No I didn't have them. I knew I wouldn't abort so what was the point? "Oh you'd have an abortion if your life depended on it.". As I was going under the GA for an emergency section I was bargaining with God that if only one of us could come through it then let it be baby.

Sometimes people know what they believe.