We received a variety of responses to Ann Spann’s article on the first execution in Okaloosa County, an article that appeared in the July 19 edition of the Crestview News Bulletin.

A few things that need cleared up:

• The person on the gallows is Caucasian

• The building in the photo is not the Alatex building.

For those who questioned publication of the story, I think we all had the same initial reaction. The difference is this: I read the story and thought, ‘Wow, I can’t believe things used to be this way. People need to learn about our history.’ Others have told me they thought, ‘Wow, I can’t believe things used to be this way. This doesn’t need to go in the paper.’

Same reaction. Just a different conclusion.

For the record, I oppose the death penalty. Not on moral grounds, but because I don’t have faith in our juries to render the correct verdict 100 percent of the time.

I think the article is appropriately informative, regardless of your take on the death penalty or public executions. To look forward, you have to know where you’ve been.

What are your thoughts? Should we do away with the death penalty altogether? Do we need to bring back public executions? Did the story belong in the paper? Post your thoughts below and vote in our online poll.

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