When someone chooses to take the life of another they are committing a mortal sin “Thou Shalt Not Kill”. Sometimes we find that we have to protect ourselves and our families against those that mean us harm.  We are given the right to do this in most cases. In this case, Gary Lee Sampson intended to steal the car that both Jonathan Rizzo, 19, of Kingston, and Philip McCloskey, 69, of Taunton, were driving (Read more: http://www.wcvb.com/news/local/boston-south/judge-to-hold-hearing-in-new-spreekiller-gary-lee-sampson-sentencing/-/9848842/24029188/-/o0b127z/-/index.html#ixzz2r885rn82). While attempting to steal the car, Mr. Sampson opted to brutally stab the two men to death. Mr. Sampson was also convicted of another murder committed in the same week this incident occurred.  It’s obvious that Mr. Sampson cares not for the lives of others. In fact, he cares not for his own life, if he did he wouldn’t be committing acts that would most certainly cause him to meet his own end. With that being said, we now learn from Mr. Sampson’s attorney, William McDaniels that he only has no more than 10 years to live. The families of the murdered victims cannot see past their own grief and pain, and rightfully so; they just want Mr. Sampson to be put to death. Their loved ones had no choice in whether they lived or died.  Their death sentence was chosen for them by a criminal who had no cares in the world not even for himself. He left a trail of wounded hearts and souls behind him that yearn for all that could have been. Now the victims along with all of those who continue to follow this case have to hear from McDaniels that Sampson is suffering from chronic active Hepatitis C and advanced cirrhosis of e liver, which is the reason he is not expected to live past 10 years.

In everyone’s eyes they know that is 10 more years than the 3 lives that he took without remorse. So you ask yourself a moral question, is it right to take the life of a man whose time on this earth is limited because of his ailments? Forgetting his grievous crimes, we know in our hearts that this man, either way will not be permitted to live his life in the way that he had hoped. He will not step outside as a free man and make his own choices like the rest of us. So wrapping your head around this reality must make you think; maybe, just maybe, why would we spend money on a trial just to get the legal right to take the life of a man who is literally already dead inside. Whatever happens now, the three victims who lost their lives will not be brought back to life.  All the families and mourners will still mourn their losses for a life time. I’m not certain that a peace of mind could truly be found in knowing that any one person could have had a hand in deciding to kill someone who is already dying inside and quite painfully I might add. I’m not at all sympathetic to his pain by any stretch of the imagination, I just know that I could not knowingly pull a switch on someone who is going to die any way.  It’s the same as someone murdering someone who has terminal cancer because they couldn’t wait to receive their inheritance. It just seems morally wrong and cold-blooded.

Although it is difficult to find peace within your pain, we all must remember that each decision we make is one that we will have to live with in this life and the next.

My heart goes out to all the victims, their families and those having to serve on this case. Pain accompanies us for a lifetime but how we manage it is our choice. Good comes from all evil if you learn how to deal with it. Don’t hold in your pain, work together to release it. Let those you have lost look down on you with pride.

Felina S Robinson

January 22, 2014