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Patrick Hannon Research Paper

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We have all heard of the saying “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” Patrick Hannon was ordered to be executed on November 8th by a lethal injection after Governor Scott signed his death warrant for a murder scene in 1991. On Patrick’s day of execution, I attended his vigil at the Florida State Prison in Starke with the Gainesville Citizens for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. At the Vigil, I met two of Patrick’s Pen Pals and heard great things about him. From that moment, I realized that our past does not define who we are. A person who steals is not just a thief, he or she deserves a second chance – everyone makes mistakes. Seth, another individual in attendance at the vigil was incarcerated 18 years for a crime he did not commit. Whether Patrick was innocent or not, he is a human being and deserves a right to life. St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta committed her life to proclaiming that human life is sacred and dignity should not be taken from anyone. …show more content…

At the vigil, we rang a bell in hope that Patrick could hear it from the building where he was strapped down to a gurney and would know that he was not alone. At this point, the only thought that came to my mind was: “a human being is about to be killed by the state, just like Jesus was. What if Jesus sought revenge as many people do?” Murder for a murder, or “tooth for a tooth” is not virtuous. Pope Francis, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI have all spoken out against the death penalty. In the words of Pope Francis, “the death penalty is an inhumane measure.” My brothers and sisters, please pray for the aching hearts of families and friends of victims killed in violence to seek peace through grace and love and not spitefulness. One of the greatest commandment God shows us is to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:28), and that means learning to forgive others who have done wrong to

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