Newsvine - "Robert Blecker Wants Me Dead" - Leave a question for Robert Blecker or the director of the film

"Robert Blecker Wants Me Dead" premieres Sunday at 10 PM ET on MSNBC

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Please leave your questions or comments for Robert Blecker and for Ted Schillinger, director of the film, to answer throughout the week.
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A letter from Ted Schillinger to the viewers:

For years, a majority of Americans have continued to support capital punishment, in spite of a determined national campaign against it. I have always believed that Americans are guided by their decency and generosity of spirit, so why do we show this loyalty to such an apparently bloodthirsty policy? I think Professor Robert Blecker has the answer. Americans maintain a deep faith in the old-fashioned idea of fairness. So does Blecker. The first thing that struck me about him was not the ferocity of his arguments, but the intensity of his listening. For every argument he brandished in favor of the death penalty, he invited and awaited my strongest counter-argument. Clearly he was hoping that I would score points against him, help him hone his arguments, even make him a little smarter. I don't know if I ever helped him, but Daryl Holton certainly did. In Holton, a murderer of children and self-taught legal whiz, Robert Blecker found a worthy adversary. And, stunningly, a friend. Witnessing their extraordinary battle to find the meaning of Holton's crime, it was instantly obvious that here was a proving ground for Blecker's most passionately-held beliefs. And a test of both men's humanity, killer and scholar. Making a film that looks deep inside that friendship was draining, disturbing and, ultimately, exhilarating.

-Ted Schillinger

Your comment below is pending approval by Jana Lerner

Good Evening Ms. Lerner,
I am a resident of Kern County and a very interested person, when it comes to the "WITCHHUNT' ordeal. the reason why I am writing you, is figure out a way to bring more light into the corrupt and abuse of authority from the Bakersfield Ploice Department and District Attorneys Office. The have been wrongly accusing people or persons for over 30 years. The world needs to be shown how District attorney Ed. Jagels and his crew handles business, if you notices when the "Witchhunt" situation was brought up, instead of making a comment to defend himself or others, he decided to change the whole subject and talk about the GANG problem in Bakersfield. Bakersfield (Kern County) has the highest conviction rate in CALIFORNIA. Now you do the math, I do not know how far this email will get, but I would be more than happy to talk to just someone anyone about how CORRUPT Kern County is, please have someone get in contact with me, something needs to be done. I have also been a victim of the system and you would not believe that is just a small portion of what happens in KILLER KERN on a daily basis, by the BAKERSFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT. They have killed and beaten, and harrassed and eveything that they seem to do, is always covered up.

—

Your comment below is pending approval by Jana Lerner

dear jana, I have a question for the producers of the witch hunt documentary. I noticed that after many years the accused were finally set free. were any of the people that were involved in the wrongful prosecution of these people held accountable ? they get wrongfully accused and sent to prison and serve many years and the people that sent them there don't have to answer for a thing ? what about them ? how can justice be served if those that participated in this witch hunt go on their merry way ? have those that were imprisoned taken those that put them there to court. a follow up witch hunt would be great. they should call it " witch hunt justice ".

—

Hey Jana,
I watched A Fathers Promise today with rabid interest. What a brilliant piece of education putting together the father and child relationship from inside and outside of lock up. I worked as a Chaplain for five years in Juvenile Hall in Orange County California. The population is culturally different however very much the same in the rate of children raised with out fathers in there lives. When asked about what was one of the greatest regrets that young incarcerated Mexican boys have in their lives they answered not having a father in their lives. Even though this may be a fantasy that everything in their lives would have been better with a father, these youngsters would use it as an excuse for not succeeding or for being incarcerated.
Currently, I teach parenting classes in the jails to multiracial inmates. Most of whom did not have fathers. We explore parenting styles, abuse, communication and relationship skills. I believe this production could help inside the jails as a tool for the inmates to see themselves in these three men. First seeing the false belief that these children would help them stay out of trouble, second to see the reality of single mothers raising children by themselves and thirdly to have the benefit of a twelve year check in having to listen to their own words come back to haunt them.
Will this program be available for sale sometime in the future?
Thank you for a truthful reflection on a cyclical reality of minority men, their children and the next generation of incarcerated youth.

— Mary Kay Kubota

Hey I'm so mad I missed the airing of the documentary. Will it be airing again or is there a way to get a copy of the program? please email me back afaulk32@gmail.com

— Aaron Faulkner

Hi Jana

I did enjoy your documentary. I'd like to know though if you would ever do a documentary on the flip side, fathers who want desperately to co-parent their children but between the bitter ex's, one sided family courts and lawyers who virtually throw you into poverty, walking away seems like a better choice. You don't want to, but geeze there just seems like no other choice. You try to find help and there just isn't any, anywhere... I have tried in vain to help my son and I can't. I've written to Senators and others, nothing. It seems like unless they can get their names in the paper, not a soul wants to help. It is so unjust and so unfair, mainly to the children. He cannot be the only father out there going through this emotional roller coaster thanks to our Family Court System. We, without hesitation would be a part of a documntary like that. Some bright light needs to be shed on it and hopefully get a better understanding and perhaps new laws to help fathers who do want to co-parent their children, the right way!

Thank you for your time.
Diane Caruso-Murphy
Tabernacle, NJ

— Diane-763602

– Show More

{"commentId":6577200,"authorDomain":"bwkimbo"}

Dr. Bill Kimberlin

My name is Dr. Bill Kimberlin and I teach Psychology Courses in Ohio. I have been researching death row inmates for approx. 3 years now that takes me inside death row and even to their executions. I have been a part of 3 different executions including being a witness to the longest execution in the history of the state of Ohio. I am scheduled to wittnesses others in the near future and I speak to inmates from California as well as Tennessee (Stephen Huguely) and I communicate on a very regular basis. He is currently at Brushy Mountain but is scheduled to be executed this year. I am researching the psychological aspects of living on death row and I am completely un-biased when it comes to the death penalty. I was wondering if you would like to communicate at all to compare any research or to see what commonalities I have come up with when i spend time on death row with my selected inmates.

Thank you very much and I found your program to be very informational and great to watch.

Sincerely,

Bill Kimberlin

{"commentId":6577200,"threadId":"558084","contentId":"2691755","authorDomain":"bwkimbo"}

#1 - Sun Apr 19, 2009 10:23 PM EDT

{"commentId":7541649,"authorDomain":"dominick07"}

Evangelist/Teacher W Dominick

Doctor, you can teach all the Psychology courses you want, the mind of a Murderer is demonic, and many times unstable and manipulating! One thing I have noticed is that most murderers do not want to die! Think about that, this should tell society something! Fear can change the thought of a man! Especially when the system is going to take your life!

Deuteronomy 19:21

"And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot".

God says, society (Court) should force the MURDERER to give their life for the life they took, with out any pity or regret. The Death Penalty will become a deterrent! Why? Many will start to hear and fear for their own life.

Deuteronomy 19:20

"And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you".

We will see the Murder rate decline throughout the country, when we accept God's word and not those ignorant opponents who feel remorse for MURDERERS that don't have any regards for human life, or fear of God!

Let God's word be true, and every man a liar!

{"commentId":7541649,"threadId":"558084","contentId":"2691755","authorDomain":"dominick07"}

#1.1 - Tue Jun 9, 2009 12:13 PM EDT

{"commentId":6577695,"authorDomain":"nebodeb"}

Debbie-1036591

Do you think that it is fair for two defendents, found guilty of their crime, by two seperate juries, to get two different verdicts. One, the remorseful one, given the death penalty, the other, cocky uncaring one, gets life in prison? I say that my friend was the remorseful one, because the victums mother said it. I believe in the death penalty, but it should be equal.

{"commentId":6577695,"threadId":"558084","contentId":"2691755","authorDomain":"nebodeb"}

#2 - Sun Apr 19, 2009 11:05 PM EDT

{"commentId":6583219,"authorDomain":"hopentyler"}

nathalie lelie

I watched your show last night the subject was Daryl Holton, i loved your documentary . i firmly believe in the dealth penalty. What he has done to his 4 children is so horrible and disgusting. why did he not go to the court system and state that his wife is an alcoholic and for the best interest of the children can they should stay w/ him. instead for his own selfish reason he would rather kill the 4 children. i also have another question for casy anthony do you think that they should get the dealth penalty. my reasons are this. For casey anthony if she did not want a baby she should have abort the child and save the child years of misery and pain. he parents loved that little girl w/ all their heart. if partying all the time is casey's main object in life , she should have gave full custody to her parents, and she could continue w/ her life . but instead she is a selfish person who would rather kill her own daughter than give her daughter to her parents. i do hope she gets the dealth penalty.

{"commentId":6583219,"threadId":"558084","contentId":"2691755","authorDomain":"hopentyler"}

#3 - Mon Apr 20, 2009 10:58 AM EDT

{"commentId":7541685,"authorDomain":"dominick07"}

Good for you Nathalie! So does God!

{"commentId":7541685,"threadId":"558084","contentId":"2691755","authorDomain":"dominick07"}

1 vote

#3.1 - Tue Jun 9, 2009 12:15 PM EDT

{"commentId":6583494,"authorDomain":"janalerner"}

Jana LernerDeleted

{"commentId":6585422,"authorDomain":"simpson92"}

simpson92

My daughter is a victim of spousal rape and abuse. He called 911 and wrote a confession. I personally think the human mind when it commits such terrible sins actually tries to convince others they were correct in thier actions.

I was impressed with your honest feelings and your firm stance on the law. I read my daughters victim's impact statement in court and although I hate the sin he committed I read it outloud to help him to understand what he had done.

The law should reflect reality and should always protect the human rights of others. Especially innocent victims.

I guess my question is would you consider looking at my daughters case. He still stalks her from prison. Harvard Law did a lethality assessment on him, he is the sole surviving male in his family. All others have committed suicide.

Holton is much like my ex-son-in-law. Would you take a look and see if you could help to save my daughter and grandchildren's lives?

Just google Regan Martin Chicago Tribune "One woman's struggle to escape abuse" there is a very compelling video of my daughter speaking.

{"commentId":6585422,"threadId":"558084","contentId":"2691755","authorDomain":"simpson92"}

#5 - Mon Apr 20, 2009 12:20 PM EDT

{"commentId":6585439,"authorDomain":"simpson92"}

{"commentId":6585439,"threadId":"558084","contentId":"2691755","authorDomain":"simpson92"}

#5.1 - Mon Apr 20, 2009 12:21 PM EDT

{"commentId":6592610,"authorDomain":"dominick07"}

You said, "He is the sole surviving male in his family. All others have committed suicide". That my friend says alot by itself!

If this man is still starking your daughter from prison, he's not finished! I would advise you and your daughter to get as far away from your son in law as possible! First get a restraining order! But don't trust in just that. Restraining orders are broken everyday. Have no contact with him for the rest of your life! But know where he is. As long as he is alive, he can't be trusted. She needs to get gun training for protection, and have one on her at all times once he's out of jail. You too! This may seem harse to some, but this is like many abusive cases, a life and death situation. Evil can't be bargained with. Rape and Abuse are not related in any way, shape, or form to LOVE! This, you and your daughter need to understand and know!

Don't try to understand why he's done this! He did! People can make all kinds of excuses for these kind of evil people, but one thing stays constant, people are evil and in many cases can't be reformed. This is about self preservation, not about Psychology and how his mind works. God Bless and Protect you and your daughter.

{"commentId":6592610,"threadId":"558084","contentId":"2691755","authorDomain":"dominick07"}

#5.2 - Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:16 PM EDT

{"commentId":6596090,"authorDomain":"ws2k1"}

John-1039096

Instead of quoting scripture and getting worthless restraining orders, society should kill him. Let's stop treating the victim like a car. Its real easy for someone to say don't kill him, but if your daughter was raped would you feel the same forgiveness. Probably not, so leave your logical thinking at the door as well as your religious quotes. Some would call that revenge, but why is it so bad that justice be revenge. Justice is all in the eye of the beholder. I thinking killing these loonies will keep the streets safer, give the victims and their families some closure, deter others, and most importantly save taxpayer money. God bless America and kill these sons of @!$%#es until the cows come home.

{"commentId":6596090,"threadId":"558084","contentId":"2691755","authorDomain":"ws2k1"}

#5.3 - Mon Apr 20, 2009 8:50 PM EDT

{"commentId":6590231,"authorDomain":"dominick07"}

Mr. Blecker;

I watched the program on Daryl Holton. An ADMITTED CONVICTED MURDERER!

First, lets define MURDER. "The premeditation malice killing of a person." MURDER never comes out of self-defense or accident. It’s a deliberate, thoughtout act. It comes from the heart!

Matthew 15:19

"For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts,

murders , adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies":

Numbers 35:30 - 31

"Whoso killeth (Murder) any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die".

"Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death".

God says, society (Court) should force the MURDERER give their life for the life they took, with out any pity or regret.

The Death Penalty will become a deterrent! Why? Many will start to hear and fear for their own life.

And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.

We will see the Murder rate decline throughout the country, when we accept God’s word and not those ignorant opponents who feel remorse for MURDERERS that don’t have any regards for human life, or fear of God!

God said; "Thou shalt not MURDER". Send the Murderers to ME

Exodus 20:13

Opponents say; forgive, and have pity on them.

{"commentId":6590231,"threadId":"558084","contentId":"2691755","authorDomain":"dominick07"}

#6 - Mon Apr 20, 2009 3:38 PM EDT

{"commentId":6591298,"authorDomain":"dominick07"}

I watched your interview with Holten and it was obvious to me that you were engaging in psychological warfare. You wanted him to take responsibility or show some kind of remorse for murdering his four children. Most murderers don’t! You say Holten was intelligent, I say like many, he was a Manipulative Murdering Psychopath.

He said he murdered his children because he didn’t want his ex wife to raise them in a project. BS!

The most disturbing thing

Holten said to you in the interview when you asked him about remorse for taking the life of four innocent children, Holten told you "I don’t loose any sleep"; "I have good dreams". People make all kinds of excuses for MURDERERS like Holten because they are against the Death Penalty for different reasons. I ask all those opponents of the Death Penalty, why should society have pity on any MURDERER, especially like Daryl Holten, when they have no remorse for taking life?

Those opponents of the Death Penalty are self-righteous and ignorant. Out of all the crimes that one can commit, most can be repaid in some way, shape, or form to the victim. MURDER is one that can’t be repaid to the victim! Their God given life is gone forever. As an advocate and promoter of the Death Penalty for MURDERERS, I follow what God says to do with MURDERERS, not man. God tells us MURDER can never be compensated on earth.

Exodus 20:13

Opponents say; forgive, and have pity on them.

{"commentId":6591298,"threadId":"558084","contentId":"2691755","authorDomain":"dominick07"}

#7 - Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:19 PM EDT

{"commentId":6591663,"authorDomain":"dominick07"}

{"commentId":6591663,"threadId":"558084","contentId":"2691755","authorDomain":"dominick07"}

#8 - Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:34 PM EDT

{"commentId":6596294,"authorDomain":"ws2k1"}

We kill them for that exact purpose, so God can then send them to hell for an infinite amount of time. Quoting scripture at best, weakens the arguement you seem to be making. I find it pretty ironic how you can tell the father of a victim whats the proper punishment. I'm sure if it was your daughter you would be so forgiving and if you would, well, you are the better man. Trying to make logical or rational decisions removed from what you feel in your heart is right is ridiculous. As long as we are certain of the person's guilt, we should start killing all these guys who kill like its a walk in the park. Don't just kill them, torture them.

{"commentId":6596294,"threadId":"558084","contentId":"2691755","authorDomain":"ws2k1"}

#9 - Mon Apr 20, 2009 9:04 PM EDT

{"commentId":6611467,"authorDomain":"dominick07"}

I'm sure most fathers of victims would want to send the Murderer to God themselves my friend! My article is about MURDERERS! Convicted, and beyond doubt, guilty! I'm not talking about those who have been convicted with doubt. For we know our system is not perfect. There are some who have been wrongfully convicted. I'm talking about the Cain's of this world who have murdered like Daryl Holten.

For those of us who believe in God's word, we know what to do with these MURDERING DEVILS. HE tells us what to do with them, as I have spoken in my article above! For those who want to rashionalize and play god, they say let these Devils live. Many later come out on parole and murder again. The opponents of the Death Penalty don't see the evil spirit within these Murderers. Plus, Psychologist and others in the medical field make millions of dollars from criminal institutions! The safety of society is not a top priority. Incarceration is a big money making business my friend. My main point is:

Until we start to follow God's word about these Murderering devils, many more Murderers will get the opportunity to either murder in jail or get out and murder again. Thus, the murder rate will continue to climb in this country! As for me and many others, I know God's word is perfect and without correction. While Man's word is logical, self motivated, personal, politically driven thinking. The opponents of the Death Penalty have their own agenda as they contradict God's word. The advocates of the Death Penalty know God's word is perfect and need no correction.

{"commentId":6611467,"threadId":"558084","contentId":"2691755","authorDomain":"dominick07"}

#9.1 - Tue Apr 21, 2009 2:33 PM EDT

{"commentId":6608217,"authorDomain":"whc"}

Will Cavanaugh

Prof. Blecker: I have just watched the strange, strange documentary you made, and see that you are as conflicted about the death penalty as are most people. But Mr. Holton pegged it when he accused you of blood lust; you clearly showed it in your rant at his stay of execution. The fact that you came to "like" him pales beside your commendable sense of duty to children you never met and your insistence on trying to get him to say he was sorry. Of course he was sorry, for a couple of reasons including getting executed, but he wasn't going to discuss it with you because you were not close enough to him, as he said.

He seemed an intelligent, erudite, well-read man, but of course he committed a hideous crime for a specious reason. Letting him rot in prison for life, with all the nightmares that entails, would be a greater punishment for anyone. I'm surprised that death penalty advocates can't see that. Killing is wrong. I think there's a commandment about it somewhere . . . oh yes, in this handsome leatherbound volume on my desk.

I am a retired Federal Probation Officer, and have a completely opposite view of the death penalty as do you. The debate is stirring, but you are slowly losing. Hail civilization.

{"commentId":6608217,"threadId":"558084","contentId":"2691755","authorDomain":"whc"}

#10 - Tue Apr 21, 2009 1:09 PM EDT

{"commentId":6794495,"authorDomain":"dominick07"}

Will Cavanaugh; it's not about what you say or any other Liberal. Who gave you the right to forgive and let Murderers live? Can they repay the life taken? God says the system should send them to HIM! Life for Life!

People have Notions, Opinions, and Thoughts!

Only God's word matter. Everything else is for N O T!

{"commentId":6794495,"threadId":"558084","contentId":"2691755","authorDomain":"dominick07"}

#10.1 - Wed Apr 29, 2009 6:13 PM EDT

{"commentId":6799278,"authorDomain":"whc"}

To W Dominick: I quoted the very book you honor, which says thou shalt not kill. It also says vengeance is mine, saith the Lord. Who gave me the right to forgive and let murderers live? Please. Who gave you the right to take or want to take human life, even human life which has committed unforgivable sin. God says the system should send them to him? Where does God say that? Which system? Mr. Holton will get his. Don't you believe that?

{"commentId":6799278,"threadId":"558084","contentId":"2691755","authorDomain":"whc"}

#11 - Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:13 PM EDT

{"commentId":7541207,"authorDomain":"dominick07"}

You didn't quote anything! Your confused like many Liberals.

No we don't have the right to kill these murderers, our courts do that under God's law!

God says, society (Court) should force the MURDERER to give their life for the life they took, with out any pity or regret.

{"commentId":7541207,"threadId":"558084","contentId":"2691755","authorDomain":"dominick07"}

#12 - Tue Jun 9, 2009 11:50 AM EDT

{"commentId":7698439,"authorDomain":"livingwaterscyprus"}

Pastor Dave Hall

Very nice comments Brother Dominick. Very odd that is King David had of been put to death under the Mosaic Law, then he would never have been the forefather of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

King Manassah was another eveil murderer and even put the prophet Isaiah to death and yet he REPENTED and was also in the line of Jesus Christ.

You also state that a Murderers mind is Satanic and evil and cannot change. You really are a wonderful judge, its a pity you do not know the Bible that you claim to teach.

I know a young man who killed a young boy when he got involved in a fight. He went to jail and later accepted Jesus Christ as his Saviour. Jesus Christ is our Judge and he can forgive who ever he wants to.

I would suggest you read Hebrews 12 and focus on bitterness and how it is a root causing stumbling. You sound a very Bitter man and certainly in need of a LOVING FATHER who can lead you to streams of refeshment.

Have you not read about sins of the fathers visiting down to the 3 and 4th generations, that is what is happening in our world today and people are not getting blessed.

But Hell Fire and Damnation preachers condemn the person without blessing them. James said that with our mouths we curse or bless. I would rather BLESS.

Yes of course willful killers deserve death, but it is their eternal future that is more important.

Love & Blessings

Pastor David BSc (Hons)

{"commentId":7698439,"threadId":"558084","contentId":"2691755","authorDomain":"livingwaterscyprus"}

#13 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 1:39 PM EDT

"Robert Blecker Wants Me Dead" - Leave a question for Robert Blecker or the director of the film

"Robert Blecker Wants Me Dead" premieres Sunday at 10 PM ET on MSNBC

Published to:

Deuteronomy 19:21

Deuteronomy 19:20

Matthew 15:19

Numbers 35:30 - 31

Deuteronomy 19:21

Deuteronomy 19:20

Exodus 20:13

You didn't quote anything! Your confused like many Liberals.

Deuteronomy 19:21

Deuteronomy 19:20

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"Robert Blecker Wants Me Dead" - Leave a question for Robert Blecker or the director of the film

"Robert Blecker Wants Me Dead" premieres Sunday at 10 PM ET on MSNBC

Published to:

Deuteronomy 19:21

Deuteronomy 19:20

Matthew 15:19

Numbers 35:30 - 31

Deuteronomy 19:21

Deuteronomy 19:20

Exodus 20:13

You didn't quote anything! Your confused like many Liberals.

Deuteronomy 19:21

Deuteronomy 19:20

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