A petition has been launched online calling for the public execution of Benjamin Taylor, who was convicted after the horrific assault and killing of a 9-month-old baby.
The shocking case sparked nationwide outrage when details emerged that the infant had suffered fatal injuries. Taylor, from West Virginia, was arrested back in 2016 and later sentenced to life in prison without parole.
But for many, that wasn’t enough.
The petition – which has been circulating across social media – demands that Taylor face the death penalty, despite the fact that capital punishment is not legal in West Virginia. Supporters say the punishment should “fit the crime” and that a life sentence is too lenient.
Others, however, have pushed back. Critics argue that calls for a public hanging cross the line into vigilante justice and highlight the dangers of letting outrage override the legal system.
The case has reopened wider debates about the death penalty in the US. Some believe crimes against children are so extreme that execution should be brought back, while others insist that no matter how horrific the act, justice must remain within the law.
The baby’s death left the local community devastated, with vigils held and messages of support for the grieving family pouring in. Campaigners have since renewed efforts to strengthen child protection laws and raise awareness around child abuse prevention.
Whatever your view on the petition, one thing is certain: this case has left a scar that will not fade anytime soon.
