Why in these cases can’t a summary execution be held? He confessed and said he did it on purpose. No, we will hold him in limbo in the court system for 30-40 years while he gets his 3 squares.
And converts a few dozen more into his vile 'religion'.
NO to summary executions. If they can summarily execute this guy, then they can summarily execute YOU. Use your head, man.
Because this is American, and we believe even the worst scumbag deserves a fair trial and a just punishment under the law if convicted.
This is not to protect the obvious scumbags, but to protect the honest citizens.
Remember the scene from “Last Action hero” where the badguy shoots someone, stands there, and says: “I would like to make a confession! I shot a man, and I did it on purpose!”
To which a voice offscreen shouts “Shut up!”?
Well, this is the official government version of that scene.
Police used to deal with such criminals in their own way, and to their credit they were usually very “judicious” about it. Many were the child-rapists/killers and aggravated psychopaths who died while in custody awaiting trial.
It was not common, as the system would often promise the gallows. But when judges came to abhor the popular sanction, it left the police with little alternative for the pursuit of justice.