Rowan Ford's stepdad fights death-penalty option

Ford, a 9-year-old girl, was kidnapped from her home near Stella, Mo., back in November 2007. She was reportedly raped in one county, then murdered in another. After a weeklong search, her body was found in a sinkhole in McDonald County. Authorities charged her stepdad and one of his buddies. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

The stepdad's attorney wants the death penalty off the table, the Joplin Globe reports. Snip:

Dryden, according to online court records, argued that the circumstance of “wantonly vile, horrible or inhuman” is unconstitutionally vague.

Cox said the motion was one of the “standard motions that are filed in every death penalty case.”

An old KY3 piece about the case.

An earlier CSKC post about Rowan Ford.

Comments

[Sasquach]

I don't think there's any question that "wantonly vile, horrible or inhuman” is sufficiently specific to describe the rape and murder of a 9 year old.

[Patty PV]

Vague? Give me a break.

[The Golfer]

This guy is still alive?

Must have him segregated in jail.
Please do not tell me he is out on bail.

[doggydaddy]

I'm generally against the death penalty, but I really can't think of a more appropriate instance in which to use it. Guess I'll make an exception for these subhumans. Fry 'em, and try to make it as miserable and painful as possible for them.

[Searching]

He's never getting out on bail or parole golfer. He is being sentenced to the death penalty.

[The Golfer]

But there has not been a trial yet!!

If he had the money, he would be out on bail!!

[Searching]

Ok.. so there hasn't been a trial.. he is trying to keep from being sentenced to death.. but it aint gonna work. He knows he is going to lose, he just wants to make sure he doesn't lose his life in the process. Too bad he didn't give that little girl any options.

[ghost]

This guy should be staked out in the prison yard...every day...face down. Then let the prisoners have their "recreation" for a couple of hours each day. After two years of that...put him down for the long dirt nap.
A man like this doesn't deserve lethal injection....he deserves as bad as he gave that poor child.

[air-jordan-17]

reportedly raped in one county, then murdered in another. After a weeklong search, her body was found in a sinkhole in McDonald County. Authorities charged her stepdad and one of his buddies. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

Read more: http://blogs.kansascity.com/crime_scene/2009/08/rowan-fords-stepdad-fights-deathpenalty-option.html#ixzz1LT6wTifB

[Christian Louboutin Pumps]

is just the beginning of the abuse of power we will experience if the White House continues to ignore the Constitution and the limits it puts on the Executive Branch.