'I have waited 19 years to get justice':
Lezmond Mitchell executed inside federal
prison in Terre Haute
Indianapolis Star,
by
Justin L. Mack *
Original Article
Posted By: earlybird,
8/27/2020 11:05:35 AM
Lezmond Mitchell, the only Native American on death row, was executed Wednesday evening at the federal prison in Terre Haute.
Mitchell, 38, was a member of the Navajo Nation. He was convicted of killing 63-year-old Alyce Slim, and her 9-year-old granddaughter, Tiffany Lee, in Arizona in 2001. (Snip) Following the execution, an attorney for Daniel Lee, father of the slain 9-year-old girl, read a prepared statement on behalf of Lee, who stood nearby. (Snip)"I have waited 19 years to get justice for my daughter, Tiffany. "I will never get Tiffany back, but I hope that this will bring some closure,"
Reply 1 - Posted by:
earlybird 8/27/2020 11:11:33 AM (No. 522595)
There is much more to this story. The full description of their crime is included, and the information on the fight the Navaho Nation put up in attempting to stop the execution for a crime on tribal land. It went all the way to the SCOTUS, who on Tuesday denied their request for a stay and a sentence of life imprisonment.
The grandmother had kindly picked up what appeared to be two young boys hitchiking. The result for her and her little granddaughter was horrific.
17 people like this.
Reply 2 - Posted by:
Jethro bo 8/27/2020 11:26:43 AM (No. 522607)
So now the Navajo Nation wants to have a 3rd Justice system. Justice for us, Just-Us for Democrats, and Just-Us Few for acts committed on Navajo land. Kinda cool. I want to kill someone with the possible penalty of the death sentence, I just take them onto the Navajo Reservation and no concerns about that death penalty thing.
4 people like this.
Reply 3 - Posted by:
janjan 8/27/2020 11:29:24 AM (No. 522613)
One lesson to be learned here. For the love of God do not pick up hitchhikers. Especially when you have a child in the car.
21 people like this.
Reply 4 - Posted by:
Chuzzles 8/27/2020 11:53:58 AM (No. 522639)
One of the most irritating statements I hear when a sentence is imposed or carried out is 'it won't bring the victim back'. Of course it won't. But that statement should never ever stop a punishment from being carried out or imposed, simply because it won't bring the victim back. The monsters need to pay a price for what they stole. For murder is the ultimate thievery IMO.
There should also be a legal price for the damage that they cause the remaining family members, for those folks never truly do heal after something like this. The shattering of a family puts those folks into a special lifelong prison of their own, one that I cannot even begin to comprehend in terms of how they feel.
13 people like this.
Reply 5 - Posted by:
Rama41 8/27/2020 12:05:04 PM (No. 522652)
In the article, I looked in vain for photos of the grandmother and 9-year old granddaughter.
9 people like this.
Reply 6 - Posted by:
cedar 8/27/2020 12:31:31 PM (No. 522680)
The federal government has asserted exclusive jurisdiction under 18 U.S.C. 1153 on all Indian reservations over all Indians who commit the following crimes against another Indian or non-Indian: murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, maiming, a felony under chapter 109A, which deals with sexual abuse, incest, a felony assault under section 113, which deals with intent to murder with a weapon, an assault against an individual who’s not yet attained the age of 16, felony child abuse or neglect, arson, burglary, robbery, and a felony under section 661, which deals with larceny or theft.
The Navajo Nation’s position is that the federal government having control over these types of crimes is an affront to its sovereignty because it should be the Navajo Nation, as a sovereign, who should decide what happens for crimes committed within its own reservation.
While the Navajo people believe in accountability, they do not necessarily believe in capital punishment because of cultural teaching and values.
The crimes Martinez and his accomplice were horrific, and neither the Navajo Nation or any Navajo person would ever condone what they did.
2 people like this.
Reply 7 - Posted by:
bigfatslob 8/27/2020 12:34:56 PM (No. 522688)
What will the Navajo Indians do now? Start a Red Lives Matter movement it works for that other race of people.
2 people like this.
Reply 8 - Posted by:
Timber Queen 8/27/2020 12:47:38 PM (No. 522697)
#3 - Amen. When I got my license my Dad gave me "the talk" about hitch hikers. Dad was LAPD. He also taught me to always drive with all my doors locked. Any driver is a sitting duck at a red light for any thug. This was fifty years ago and things are so much more dangerous today. Criminals know that women have a greater empathy factor than men. That's why homeless people have dogs, they get more donations that begging alone. There are rest stop "families" that need gas, need car repair, need to see grandma before she dies. All these scams and traps use "being helpful" as the lure.
To overcome my empathy placing me in a dangerous situation, I pray for all hitch hikers I pass on the highway. "Holy Spirit, please send this man/woman an appropriate ride." If the person intends good they will be helped. If the person intends evil, he too will receive as to his intention.
This poor woman and her granddaughter were martyrs of the godless ones. Their earthly lives were ruthlessly robbed from them, yet they still live, and for eternity, with and within the Mystery of the Trinity. Mr. Mitchell's state in eternity is not ours to know, but may God have mercy on his soul.
10 people like this.
Reply 9 - Posted by:
cedar 8/27/2020 12:56:55 PM (No. 522712)
#7, BIGFATSLOB, rest assured the Navajo People would never do that!
2 people like this.
Reply 10 - Posted by:
Lazyman 8/27/2020 12:57:04 PM (No. 522713)
The world is slightly better today.
2 people like this.
Reply 11 - Posted by:
bpl40 8/27/2020 1:20:41 PM (No. 522757)
There are over 3000 people on death row in the US. Over 800 are there for a second murder. Who takes the responsibility for comforting families and loved ones of the 800 'needless' victims. The Navajos?? Get real.
5 people like this.
Reply 12 - Posted by:
GoodDeal 8/27/2020 2:14:11 PM (No. 522845)
Another case of justice being served. 19 years later, but better than dying of old age on death row.
5 people like this.
Reply 13 - Posted by:
DVC 8/27/2020 2:23:33 PM (No. 522858)
He should have been put in the ground long ago. Way too long a delay.
5 people like this.
Below, you will find ...
Most Recent Articles posted by "earlybird"
and
Most Active Articles (last 48 hours)
Comments:
*Lauren Castle and Ryan Martin
In an attempted carjacking, he stabbed the grandmother and slit the little girl’s throat. Then he crushed the girl’s head. This was too good for him…
BTW, he thanked President Trump and AG Barr...