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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Jurors Used Bible to Decide Death Sentence

Amnesty International troubled by Old Testament justice

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(Newser) – Death-row foes are complaining that a Texas jury ordered to consider only evidence presented in court consulted the Old Testament before condemning a man to death. Jurors examined highlighted passages in Bibles passed around the jury room to help them decide the fate of Khristian Oliver. The con killed a man by shooting him in the face and beating him with a rifle. One of the passages stated that a person who smites somebody with iron "shall surely be put to death."

The use of the Bible made the trial a "travesty," charged an Amnesty International official. "Religious texts provide consolation and spiritual guidance for billions of people the world over, but this use of the Bible to decide life or death in a capital trial is deeply, deeply troubling," she told the Telegraph. The Supreme Court has refused to hear Oliver's appeal and he is due to be executed early next month.

Texas inmate Khristian Oliver was sentenced to death for a 1999 murder. The death penalty was chosen by a jury who used the Bible to help them reach their decision.
Texas inmate Khristian Oliver was sentenced to death for a 1999 murder. The death penalty was chosen by a jury who used the Bible to help them reach their decision.   (AP Photo)
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And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
- Numbers XVVV, 16

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27 comments
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DarkFrancis
Oct 16, 09 2:11 AM CDT
That's fantastic...if they're Jewish. But as followers of Jesus Christ, surely Matthew 18 would have been a more pertinent guide? Reply
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Reader64481089
Oct 16, 09 9:46 AM CDT
Do not forget, Texas gave us a President to whom God spoke to directly......God guided him into the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan....
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+9
IN RESPONSE:
Spudsy
Oct 16, 09 1:06 PM CDT
Please DarkF, don't expect christians to read the bible. They prefer to have it cherry picked by right wing pols and clergy that gain financially from the sheep not asking questions about the unsavory bits of the hate filled book. Slavery? Bible says yes. Beat women? Bible says yes. Good times.
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+6
DarkFrancis
Oct 16, 09 2:14 AM CDT
Oh, and I hope that these jurors are so driven by the letter of the OT that they are okay with rape, slavery and not using flush toilets. Reply
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+11
riffran
Oct 16, 09 2:17 AM CDT
Hmmm I wonder if the poor murderer used the bible to help HIM decide to shoot a guy in the face, and kill him...Bible or no bible this guy needs to be put down Reply
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