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PaperclipPerfector  3mo ago (text post)   3956 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for January 12, 2025

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

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In Utah, the condemned is offered the choice of execution methods(from a small number). All of them choose the firing squad, and firing squad executions are carried out by four volunteers from the police force, one of whom shoots a blank.

This seems like a way around both of these problems.

Huh. That's fascinating.

I wonder behind the psychology of that - wanting to stare death in the eyes?

They are usually blindfolded I think. But firing squad is also how I'd choose to go. Bullet to the brain seems like a quick and painless way to go. Most rifle ammunition is also supersonic, so you wouldn't even hear the shot. It also seems more dignified in a weird way. Its not laying down to go to sleep, its not sitting in a fancy looking chair. Instead it is standing until you are dead and then crumpling into a lifeless heap.

Mormonism requires the shedding of blood to atone for murder; I’m doubting that these death row convicts were practicing Mormons prior to conviction, but we can probably expect the condemned to engage in religious bet hedging.

ah, makes sense

What are the other methods?

Lethal injection authorized by law, probably hanging on a technicality. It's worth noting that executions in Utah are very infrequent, due to a low crime rate.

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