The Death Penalty
Fandom: Rizzoli & Isles
Summary: The death penalty is one of the most controversial parts of the justice system. When one of the people Jane and Maura caught in a recent case is sentenced to death, the two find they disagree on whether or not he deserved it.
A/N: I played a small part in saving the life of Gaile Owens, who was sentenced to death after hiring someone to kill her abusive husband. As you can tell from that, I am against the death penalty! However, please do not assume that the anti-death penalty statements in this fic are ones I would make. I'm just trying to write something interesting. Not social commentary, not a statement of my own beliefs. If you don't like the fic, I will not be offended if you stop reading. If you're going to write a negative review, please don't make it for any reason other than to comment on the quality of the writing. Thank you for understanding.
Disclaimer: My initials are not TNT or TG. What does that tell you? :P
R_I
Maura was waiting in the usual booth at the pub when Jane sauntered through the door.
"Guess wha-at!" the detective said smugly as she sat down across from her friend.
"Korsak got promoted?"
Jane shook her head. "Better. You remember Tim Barret?"
"Of course!" Maura shuddered. "How could I forget that man after he killed five women and almost killed me, as well?"
Leaning forward with a wide grin on her face, Jane whispered, "He got the death penalty."
Maura froze. "Excuse me?"
"Barret got the death penalty!" Jane repeated. "He's heading for death row!"
"I heard what you said," Maura replied quietly. "But I believe that no matter what crimes a person is guilty of, they retain one basic right. The right to life." She took a deep breath. "No one should be deprived of life. Not for any reason. If law enforcement administers the death penalty, we are no better than the criminals you and I chase down every day."
Jane looked at Maura incredulously. "The criminal in question almost murdered you, Maura! He would have deprived you of your life without a second thought. How can you believe that he deserves to live? If he doesn't get sent to death row, he'll be sent to prison for life. That's taxpayer money going down the drain, all because of one 'basic right.' The right that he violated five times over, and would have violated a sixth had I not gotten there in time. I can't believe that he deserves to live."
"Jane, have you ever heard the phrase 'An eye for an eye makes the world go blind?'" Maura looked at her friend sadly. "If whenever someone did something bad to someone else, and an equal punishment was given in return, this world would be in shambles. Prison may be an expensive alternative to the death penalty, but it's the right thing to do."
Taking a sip of beer, Jane tried to think of something to say to that. And failed.
Maura went on. "There's one thing everyone in this world shares. Their humanity. Even when it's obscured because of mental illness, or when it's diminished in someone because he or she wants to kill, it's always there. Violating the right to life diminishes us the way killing diminishes murderers. We're no better than they are if we descend to their level."
At that moment, Jane's phone rang. Pulling it out, she answered, "Rizzoli." After a moment she said, "Thanks for letting me know. I'll tell Maura. Bye."
Hanging up, she looked her friend in the eyes. "I have to say, you've convinced me on the subject of the death penalty. And you'll be glad to know that I was misinformed about Barret's sentence- Crowe got mixed up. Barret's going to serve life in prison."