Death Penalty Opponent to Speak at Pinehurst Church
- Print print this page
- Discuss 34 comments, Blog about
Advertisement
An outspoken opponent of the death penalty will speak Tuesday night in Pinehurst.
Mary Rider went to jail six years ago after being arrested during a protest outside a prison during an execution. She served a 15-day jail sentence for trespassing — when she and others knelt to pray outside the prison entrance — during the last execution in North Carolina.
Rider will speak about her experiences and the issue of capital punishment at Congregational Church of Pinehurst, United Church of Christ, at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The church is at 895 Linden Road across from Elliott’s, and the public is invited to attend.
Rider and her husband, Patrick O’Neill, founded and run the Father Charlie Mulholland Catholic Worker House in Garner, which house ministers to women and children. Her sentence in the Wake County Jail stemmed from her August 18, 2006, arrest for trespass during a protest of the execution of Sammy Flippen at Raleigh’s Central Prison.
She and three others attempted to enter the prison “symbolically to stop the execution,” her husband said. Met at a police line, the four knelt to pray in the driveway where witnesses enter the prison to view executions.
“Mary was sentenced to jail after telling Wake County Superior Court Judge Michael Morgan that her conscience would not allow her to pay a $100 fine and $130 court costs into a system that oppressed the poor and carried out executions in her name,” O’Neill said. “She would agree to perform community service in lieu of the fine and court costs, an offer which Morgan rejected.”
Rider had tried to defend herself using Roman Catholic moral teaching and the First Amendment, but those arguments were not allowed to be made to the jury. The judge instructed the jury to consider only whether she trespassed or not. Although the jurors were out more than an hour, those initially opposed to conviction were won over.
“The funny thing is that I met one of the jurors later,” Rider said in a telephone interview Wednesday evening. “I’d gone into a store, and I thought the man behind the counter looked familiar.”
She realized he had been one of her jurors. He recognized her as well and told her he had been against convicting her to start with, but the judge’s strict instructions left him little choice.
Rider said she fights executions by a government — even as punishment for terrible crimes — because of her faith and Catholic teaching of reverence for life.
“I have always been a person concerned with justice,” Rider said. “Even as a child I was concerned with being just and fair. When I was a teenager, I started to become interested in the question of abortion. Then, when I was 18 or 19, I was called to jury duty.”
It was a capital case, and Rider sat through a morning during a process called “death qualification,” which prevents people opposed to capital punishment from sitting on capital cases.
“That seemed unfair,” she said. “What that means is, the cards are already stacked. It just seemed unfair. I got involved in peace and justice movements and supporting life, and when executions started to happen here, I came over to Raleigh to vigil.”
Contact John Chappell at (910) 783-5841 or jfchappell@ gmail.com.
More like this story
Advertisement
Comments
AFCHIEF 2 months, 2 weeks ago
Mary Rider, Just here in Moore County recently I hope you speak face to face with ALL relatives from the 8 murdered victims from Robert Stewart or from Emily Haddock the 12yr old murdered about how they feel about the death penalty. Their is no reason these shooters need to be kept alive at OUR TAX $$$$ expense until they die in prison.
It is estimated it costs $21 million annually to house these prisoners. I'm sure we can find better use of this money instead of keeping this scum alive.
skylinefirepest 2 months, 2 weeks ago
Killers stay in prison just long enough for the liberals to excuse their sins and then they are released to kill again. Hence the man who killed his grandmother with a hammer and then killed two firemen after having been released back into society by the bleeding hearts.
Themis 2 months, 2 weeks ago
AF CHIEF & SKYLINE - You guys are my heros. I feel the same and more. These murderers, molestors and rapists have been a burden on society for way to long. They soak up our resources and tax dollars to earn college degrees in prison. When they commited their awful crimes they lost the right to breathe air on this earth as far as I am concerned. They can cry boo hoo to the bleeding hearts about a crappy childhood or not having a father if they want to. Lots of people come up hard but we all have the ultimate choice in what we do. If they get a life sentence w/o parole they will never be of any use to society, so what's the use. And so what about the killer's families? What about the victim's families! Robert Stewart's family will be able to go and visit him, the victims can only visit a grave. Eye for an eye I say! If they murdered my child I'd have no problem pushing the button to send them on to the next world! The main problem is that they wait too long after the crime and people have changes of hearts and it allows the nutjobs to gain sympathy for the criminal. They'll find none here!
AFCHIEF 2 months, 2 weeks ago
I wish all these families would show up and drown these idiots out with drums and bullhorns
LOL
clarabelle 2 months, 2 weeks ago
" skylinefirepest - Killers stay in prison just long enough for the liberals to excuse their sins and then they are released to kill again. Hence the man who killed his grandmother with a hammer and then killed two firemen after having been released back into society by the bleeding hearts."
Again - a crock of $hit you spew. Liberals don't make these laws - congress does - IDIOT!
I wonder - your big mouth sounds off blaming liberals for everything........ have you EVER done anything in your life pro-active - taken a stance and worked for change? I doubt it - your kind just complain ad nauseum .............
clarabelle 2 months, 2 weeks ago
" AFCHIEF - I wish all these families would show up and drown these idiots out with drums and bullhorns"
Must be feeling better - back to being a crotchety old fart again!
geoffcutler 2 months, 2 weeks ago
“I have always been a person concerned with justice,” Rider said.
Really...?
fugitiveguy 2 months, 2 weeks ago
"Again - a crock of $hit you spew."
fecal matter being expelled from the mouth is likely a sign of a bowel obstruction and represents an urgent medical condition. Brushing your teeth will only temporarily alleviate the unpleasant taste and odor
packwilleat 2 months, 2 weeks ago
If all these criminals and soon to be criminals were hugged more often the world would be a better place. Hugs are free, but their meaning is priceless!! Peace and Butterflies!!
AFCHIEF 2 months, 2 weeks ago
clarabelle, guess you support Westboro Baptist Church if your not sure who they are look them up
clarabelle 2 months, 2 weeks ago
" fugitiveguy - Brushing your teeth will only temporarily alleviate the unpleasant taste and odor"
I wonder .......... what would you know about brushing teeth...... just curious!
clarabelle 2 months, 2 weeks ago
" AFCHIEF - clarabelle, guess you support Westboro Baptist Church if your not sure who they are look them up"
No - I would never support a$$holes like that. You would be surprised what I do support. I just tire of the incessant blame game.
AFCHIEF 2 months, 2 weeks ago
clarabelle not blaming anyone when it comes to the death penalty. My believes that are IF WE HAD A quick and enforecable death penalty that criminals with illegal handguns or other weapons would think twice before committing murder.
skylinefirepest 2 months, 2 weeks ago
CB, since you never provide anything of substance in these comments I don't pay much attention to your drivel...and yes, if you bother to look it up this is simply ANOTHER instance of leftist liberal Democrat supported thinking. Easy to confirm if you'd take a second of your precious time to actually look something up instead of spewing hatred for everything conservative. Try to find a couple of conservatives who don't believe in the death penalty, silly girl!!
Themis 2 months, 2 weeks ago
Blame game? There is nothing wrong with putting blame where blame is due...on the criminals!
babiehop 2 months, 2 weeks ago
Sadly, there is much injustice, but how do you quantify it ? How do you value the life of a murderer over that of the victim ? If we are wrong as a society to send to their Maker those which have no sense of value for human life, then we will answer for that when we ourselves meet our Maker, but I would have to say that it's a chance I'm willing to take.
Really, Roman Catholic moral teaching ? Sort of a cotradiction in terms to me nowadays.
geoffcutler 2 months, 2 weeks ago
It was a capital case, and Rider sat through a morning during a process called “death qualification,” which prevents people opposed to capital punishment from sitting on capital cases.
“That seemed unfair,” she said. “What that means is, the cards are already stacked."
Read that over carefully and find the logical breakdown. I'm sorry, but where and to whom is this woman speaking again? Is she qualified?
fugitiveguy 2 months, 2 weeks ago
Its very easy to avoid the death penalty. Don't kill people unless they are in the process of attempting to do you or your family harm.
clarabelle 2 months, 2 weeks ago
"CB, since you never provide anything of substance in these comments I don't pay much attention to your drivel.."
well then pest ......... you know exactly how I feel about yours..........cheers
clarabelle 2 months, 2 weeks ago
" Themis - Blame game? There is nothing wrong with putting blame where blame is due...on the criminals!"
You need to get someone else to read for you.............i never defended criminals
Themis 2 months, 2 weeks ago
I read just fine.---" have you EVER done anything in your life pro-active - taken a stance and worked for change? I doubt it - your kind just complain ad nauseum ............."You would be surprised what I do support. I just tire of the incessant blame game."
I may have taken your statement out of context, what do you mean by change? And whom are you tired of seeing blamed?
clarabelle 2 months, 2 weeks ago
Themis - I am tired of hearing the "liberal" crap that some here spew. They blame every evil possible on "liberals".
I was trying to say that laws that allow early out for criminals are made by state and federal politicians. No one wants to see criminals coddled - but some of the ignorant here need to blame all this on "liberalism".
I don't believe in the death penalty only because it is NOT effective and mainly because death is the easy way out. I also don't believe anyone that commits murder should ever be let out of prison.
fugitiveguy 2 months, 2 weeks ago
The death penalty is 100% effective. That cannot be said about ANY other sentence.
clarabelle 2 months, 2 weeks ago
" fugitiveguy -The death penalty is 100% effective. That cannot be said about ANY other sentence."
Now......... say you fuggy - run out of beer - and not having any money - you decide to rob a store and you shoot and kill the poor clerk because he gave you the wrong brand.
If they simply put you to death - that is it. BUT - if they send you to a really rough prison you would be miserable for the rest of your miserable life ................ right?
fugitiveguy 2 months, 2 weeks ago
Lets say you "Harleyman/Clarabelle" run out of tampons. You shoot the clerk because he is annoyed at your advances. If they give you the needle thats the end of it. If they put you in the joint for life you would still be free to attack and or kill another inmate or worse yet a guard or even worse, you may gain access to a computer. As I said, no other punishment is 100% effective and I have substantiated it. :)
clarabelle 2 months, 2 weeks ago
fuggy ........ can't you at least be original.........
btw - I was going to add that you probably would enjoy being someones favorite ##### in prison - so yes - in your case - the needle would probably be better........... but I was trying to be nice:)
fugitiveguy 2 months, 2 weeks ago
"I was going to add that you probably would enjoy being someones favorite ##### in prison -"
You're a fine one to talk. I'm not the one on here masquerading as a female. You were creepy enough before. There's no telling what other kind of freaky things you are doing on the internet.
clarabelle 2 months, 2 weeks ago
"You're a fine one to talk. I'm not the one on here masquerading as a female. You were creepy enough before. There's no telling what other kind of freaky things you are doing on the internet. "
smiles................... chatting with you is at the top of the list :)
clarabelle 2 months, 2 weeks ago
btw - did I ever say I was a male or female............... doofus!
fugitiveguy 2 months, 2 weeks ago
"btw - did I ever say I was a male or female............... doofus!"
We know, we all know. You may still be trying to figure it out but we know.
clarabelle 2 months, 2 weeks ago
" fugitiveguy - "We know, we all know. You may still be trying to figure it out but we know. "
haha................... yes - I'm sure you "know".............
you are one very strange ....................... well - whatever you are!
skylinefirepest 2 months, 2 weeks ago
CB, as you should well know there are many issues current to today's news that very easily carry a label of conservative or liberal and this happens to be one of them. The slightest bit of looking would easily confirm this for you but you'd rather mouth off and spew your hatred than contribute to the argument. Death penalty, gun control, border security, finances of the country...these are just a few where there is a definite difference in opinion...but you probably already knew that and with your usual bullhockey spewing made just another idiot out of yourself.
Themis 2 months, 2 weeks ago
Clarabelle - Thanks for clearing that up......I know you're tough but at least now I can add fairness to the list. I have to agree that all politicians vote......and both sides hold the guilt. Have you ever considered that the ultimate guilt lies with the people? Us? If we put enough pressure on the political system eventually they'd have to cave in? But some want to try and rebuild broken major criminals and they seem to get all the press. People can seem to stomach bodybags full of innocent victims but not caskets full of hardened condemmed criminals. I respect your stand on the death penalty and you have your reasons; But I am and have always been 100% for it.
clarabelle 2 months, 2 weeks ago
wd40 - .............. you may be even dumber than fuggy.........BOTH federal and state legislatures have laws governing murder.
"Congress or any state legislature may prescribe the death penalty, also known as capital punishment, for murder and other capital crimes. "
Now ............ go clean your outhouse - it's beginning to stink up the dump next door!!
dentman65 2 months, 2 weeks ago
I have always thought we should implement the death penalty much more often and actually carry it out QUICKLY, while the gun still smokes. This crap of 20 years on death row only adds to the victims family's torture of the crime and the loved one they lost. I doubt it is much of a deterrent, people aren't that smart or don't seem to care. But it is a 100% solution to the criminal ever doing it again. We have laws of society and legality for a reason. If criminals know they can beat the system or dodge it, they'll scarf at their crimes. Any of you who do not believe that there are truly evil humans on this earth are dead wrong. It may just be in their DNA, but there are people that have no place in society or are of any use to anyone on this earth. And then they have to cure them of cancer before they are executed.........who came up with that crap?
Toda 2 months, 2 weeks ago
skylinefirepest ~ Sky where does liberal or conservative have anything to do with the death penalty? Just when I think you are level headed and think before writing, you toss out the liberal label? Why ...? Really makes no sense at all. Come on man, write intelligently, and you will feel better.
Then there are those who should not have more than one appeal:
Those who have lived here when those two innocents were brutally murdered. David Junior Brown was held for 19 years on Central Prisons Death Row before an easy quick death on a hospital gurney. Words escape me when trying to describe the murder scene behind the Pinehurst Hotel employee apartments, known as married quarters.
Opponents should have to read the entire court transcript before speaking to anyone.
dentman65 2 months, 2 weeks ago
Toda- was that the gruesome one that happend back in the 70's or 80's in Pinehurst and was there some type of beheading involved or something? As I recall it was really an ugly scene. I agree with you that the apeal process is a joke sometimes. Talk about a messed up legal system....I know a girl caught with a lot of cocaine in Moore County in 2009, and is still awaiting trial. The victims of crimes end up being victims again by the legal system.
skylinefirepest 2 months, 2 weeks ago
Tommy, while I actually agree with most of your last comment, you have to admit that this is one issue with a definite liberal or conservative bias. Liberals are the bleeding hearts who want jail time ( and not much of that most of the time ) instead of the death penalty. Reference: Pinelake Health and Rehab. Life sentence? What a joke for a man who casually killed people in their beds and wheelchairs.
Themis 2 months, 2 weeks ago
I wish that Carthage officer had shot him a little higher with a few more rounds......truth be known I bet the officer does to! They could have bagged that murderer in a haz-mat container and buried him at the landfill for all I would have cared, what a sick monster!
Toda 2 months, 2 weeks ago
dentman65 => The crime scene was a gruesome sight but there wasn't any be-headings. David Junior Browns signet ring was found inside Diane's body cavity. The late Mark Westbrook testified that he had dropped him off that night after drinking at Joe's. He was wearing the ring at that time...also, the SBI tracked the bloody footprints downstairs to his apartment. Browns knife was found that he used as a chief at the hotel, broken off in one of the bodies. There are more details but this isn't the proper time and place....
Themis => perhaps he wasn't that good of a shot? Or he didn't know the extent of the attacks until it was all over...Either way, as a high security inmate, his life is not one that anyone would enjoy over death.
buddysmith 2 months, 2 weeks ago
why is there a debate on the death penalty in north carolina? when is the last time the state executed anyone? if the courts are trying to figure out if a doctor can be present or not during the execution, why can't we send the murderers to texas or alabama and ask them to do what the courts sentenced them to do? i would rather pay for the transit to either state and pay that state to execute the animals, than pay the millions of dollars in taxes it takes yearly to keep them comfortable.
dogboy 2 months, 2 weeks ago
" Better that 10 guilty persons escape than that one innocent to suffer" English jurist, Sir William Blackstone 1765.