A Time to Kill Response - Miles Lynn

Miles Lynn

1/10/17

AP Government and Politics

A TIme to Kill

1. Is what Carl Lee Haley does “Justice”?

It is really hard to say, because on one hand if he hadn’t killed those two men, they most likely would have got away with the rape and almost murder of Carl’s daughter. But then again, you can’t really say they were going to be acquitted because no one can see the future. In my opinion though, I feel under the circumstances it was just. Given the time period, and location of the trail, it is a safe bet those two men would have been set free. The only way to bring justice was to take matters into one's own hands.

2. Why does CLH commit this crime?

The reason he committed this crime was really for what I said above, it wasn’t going to be a just trial. Justice is supposed to be blind, but if the trial for that little girls rape was held, it is a very good chance that the trial wouldn’t be blind. Carl knew this, and he couldn’t just let these men get away with such a terrible offense. He could not see the men who raped his 10 year old daughter get away with no punishment. Carl felt the two men should die for what they did, so he did what he felt was right in his mind and took their life.

3. What should CLH punishment be?

I think Carl should serve some amount of jail time. I’m not saying life in prison, but maybe in between 10-30 years. What Carl did is not a crime that can be overlooked, he took the life of two fellow human beings, even if they were terrible people. But I feel what occurred to cause Carl to kill the two men should be taken into effect. If you are a parent and you have a 10 year old daughter and she got raped and left to die, I can guarantee 9 out of 10 parents would want the criminal dead and if not dead locked up for life. So I would say a punishment of 10-30 years in prison.

4. Are the scales of “Justice” balanced where this story takes place?

The answer to that is no. This movie takes place in the south in the 1980s, that right there tells you there is racism. Not only that, but the KKK plays a semi big role in the film, alluding to what type of town it is, what the feel is towards African Americans. The jury during the trial is an all white jury, that can’t be fair especially if an African American man is in the trial. The judge is white too, so how can it be balanced if it is an all white town, with a white judge and jury, and the KKK trying to harm everyone involved with the case on the CLH side.

5. Does it/should it matter whether Tanya Haley is black or white?

I feel like should it matter no, but in this case I think it matters. With an all white jury, they wouldn’t care for some random African American child. Most of the town is against blacks anyway, why would it be different with this child. Now compare it to a little white girl, with an all white jury and there would be no debate. The rapist would be charged quickly without debate.

6. Does due process work for CLH like it would any other defendant?

I don’t really think so, CLH is in a white environment, in a town that already doesn't really like African American, and he is now an trial for killing two white men with an all white jury. That is almost like the most unideal situation for due process, he has the right to a fair trial, but he isn’t getting one where he is at right now. And probably won’t get one because the trial is staying in that town and there is just now way it could be fair given the circumstances and all that has happened.