Should Jury Show 'Baseline Killer' Mark Goudeau Mercy?

Should Jury Show "Baseline Killer" Mark Goudeau Mercy?

By James King Thu., Nov. 17 2011 at 7:00 AM

"Baseline Killer" Mark Goudeau wants a jury to show him mercy.

Convicted "Baseline Killer" Mark Goudeau yesterday addressed the jury that will ultimately decide whether he lives or dies. The killer of nine -- who terrorized Phoenix residents for nearly a year -- asked for mercy.

Goudeau was convicted of 67 felonies last month, including nine murders. He already is serving a 438-year prison sentence for attacking two sisters in Phoenix in 2005.

See New Times' cover story on the "Baseline Killer" case, Waiting for Goudeau, here.

Goudeau, however, claims he's not the monster prosecutors painted him as during his trial, and that his life should be spared.

"They assassinated my character. They painted me as a monster," Goudeau told jurors. "I am no monster. Mark Goudeau is no monster. I am no monster."

To call Goudeau a "monster" is being polite. Regardless of your opinion of the death penalty, it only exists for people like Goudeau.

Closing statements for the penalty phase of Goudeau's trial are scheduled for November 28. Then the jury will decide whether to show Goudeau mercy, or to send him to Death Row.

We want to know what you think: should Goudeau be shown mercy?

Cast your vote below.

Tags:

arizona, baseline killer, death penalty, death row, mark goudeau

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Stirkmanachevitz

Mercy would be death as opposed to the 6 or 7 hundred years in prision he would have.

Vic

Of course this guy should never be on the street again but as a side note, I am struck byhow how he is fighting for himself. Haven't seen anyone really do that to his extent whichleads me to think, yes he is guilty But maybe not to All the crimes he was charged with.Wonder if they threw in one or two in their files that He knows he didn't do. It is possible.

Stirkmanachevitz

Well he does have a woman standing by his side in total denial of his guilt. That might have something to do with it. I'd love to hear more about her "The Enabler"

Eleanor

I personally think that showing him no mercy would mean life without parole in the general prison population. Something he is already familiar with. No point in giving him any protection inside the prison by putting him on death row all alone. He needs some friends and they are less costly to the taxpayers.

shadeaux14

Well said, If the death penalty advocates would spend even one day in prison they would realize that life without parole is a far worse punishment that the death penalty.

shadeaux14

I almost forgot, it is also a far less costly punishment.

PTCGAZ

it's cheaper to sentence him to life in prison without parole!

Seedy Ward

Agreed. People often support draconian sentencing without any real understanding of what they are advocating. If we routinely handed out short sentences for, say, traffic violations support for so-called tough on crime measures might erode dramatically. It's amazing how even a day or two in jail can change a person's perspective.

bigriggs

Give him a smoke and a blindfold.

Hock

I voted "no" but I am against the death penalty. Life without parole is not merciful.

PTCGAZ

I voted yes because I read the question to mean should the jury sentence him to the death penalty, which I am against.

Seedy Ward

The death penalty is institutionalized murder.

PTCGAZ

yup, it's state sponsored murder.

Bobby Alexander

Just as much mercy as he showed his victims.

VIMIIS

Don't forget the mercy he showed the victims' families who will feel the loss of their loved ones forever. They had to look at him and listen to his bs in court. How heartbreaking for them.

PTCGAZ

right so the government should murder him too? doesn't that just show that murder is justified by the state if you are willing to die should you be caught?