Killer cured, then executed

[Csika]

Dear Forum Users,

Look at this irony:


Killer cured, then executed

Joliet, Illinois – George DelVecchio, a 47-year-old

child-killer who underwent surgery earlier this month to relieve a heart condition,
was executed by lethal injection early yesterday, prison authorities said.
He underwent an angioplasty to clear a blocked artery after a heart attack late

last month. (The Independent, 23rd November 1995)


In this situational irony two norms clash: curing people and capital punishment. I am looking for the right English terminology:


1. societal norms vs. jurisdictional? norms
2. health care norms? vs. jurisdictional? norms

Could anyone please help me with this?


Thank you.


Csika

[Barb_D]

It's ironic, indeed. However, I believe it's considered "cruel and unusual punishment" to deny someone needed medical care, even if they won't live vey long after receiving it.

[BobK]

I'm happy with either 'health-care' or 'societal' - they mean different things, but they both work.

But I wonder why in each case you have 'jurisdictional norms' - as if you were convinced it was good. There are, for example, different jurisdictional norms in Alaska and Louisiana - because they're different jurisdictions. I don't think this is the sort of norm you mean. I'd use 'legal' or 'juridical'. There's a feeling - to be strenuously resisted - that wherever the law is involved you have to use long words, regardless of their meaning.

b

[Csika]

Hi!

Don't you think the 'societal - juridical' pairing would sound awkward (repetitive), since society already includes jurisdiction? Just asking ...

Csika

[SoothingDave]

If anything, you have a conflict between the practice of medicine and the practice of jurisprudence. As Barb noted, you can't let prisoners go without needed medical care.

[BobSmith]

[not a teacher]

I'm not convinced "norms" is what you want here. Perhaps "standards" or maybe "precidence"?

[Tdol]

In this situational irony two norms clash: curing people and capital punishment. I am looking for the right English terminology:

I am not so sure that they do clash here- I remember reading somewhere that a person has a medical check to ensure they are reasonably fit and healthy because they cannot be executed if they are very ill.

[Csika]

Thank you for all the replies.

Csika