Death Penalty for Shoplifting at Wal-Mart
There’s been some controversy in the courts and legislatures of this country about the use of the death penalty for crimes other than murder. A few states, for instance, allow imposition of the death penalty for forcible rape of a child. In the federal system, treason is punishable by death. Even in these extreme circumstances, views are mixed. The United States Supreme Court held that the imposition of the death penalty for the rape of a 16-year-old girl was cruel and unusual punishment prohibited by the Constitution.
Stacy Clay Driver didn’t get to take his case to the Supreme Court, though. The Texas father was essentially crushed to death by Wal-Mart employees who suspected him of returning $94 worth of stolen merchandise in exchange for gift card credit.
It appears that no criminal charges were filed against the employees who caused Driver’s death by asphyxiation, but Wal-Mart has agreed to pay $750,000 in compensation to his widow and 2-year-old son.
