“He should get the death penalty for what he’s done,” were the words of a mother, Jennifer Cloninger, directed at her own son. What has he done to warrant that his own mother wish the death penalty on him?
Last Friday, Cloninger’s son, Matthew Safrit, shot and killed his stepfather, Nathan Cloninger. In the process, he stabbed his mother as she tried to protect her dying husband from the wrath of Safrit. The family fight began over a car and quickly escalated to a murderous rampage. Safrit, who is battling depression, was high on drugs and alcohol when the incident took place.
Obviously, these were not the actions of a stable person. I completely agree that Matthew Safrit should be incarcerated and punished by law. After all, he did murder someone. Whether he was drunk and high is irrelevant, he did he crime; now he needs to be punished by law.
Lots of people get drunk and high and hate their step dad, but lots of people don’t use the family squabble as an excuse to kill their step father and stab their own mother. Of course, I’m pretty sure that mommy dearest was simply collateral damage. Junior was so engrossed in the throes of murdering his step daddy she just got in the way as Safrit tried to get to Nathan Cloninger. Safrit probably never even noticed she was between himself and his victim.
We grow our babies in our bodies, nourish them of our body, hold them in our arms and cherish then in our hearts. They may grow up but we never stop being their mother. When I look at my girls, I still see that newborn that I met on the day they were born. The love that I felt in that moment is always with me. Nothing or no one could ever alter that bond between my children and myself.
I don’t understand how any mother, no matter what her child has done, no matter how old her child is, wishing the death penalty on her own son. To me, that is the craziest part of this entire situation. As a mother myself, I would never wish the death penalty on my child. Isn’t that what a mother’s love is; unconditional love in the face of reason and all else? I’d say Jennifer Cloninger’s motherly love most definitely has conditions. Apparently, killing her husband is a condition for turning her back on her child.
Mrs. Cloninger, don’t talk to your son. Be pissed that he killed the love of your life. Shake your fists at the Gods in fury but don’t wish the death penalty on your own child.
I have a feeling there is more to this story than meets the eye. If I had to guess, Cloninger was the type of woman who put men above her child’s needs, her husband may have been a brute to Safrit and the kid just snapped. Or maybe Safrit is really just a mean, crazy asshole and he deserves to be locked up forever. He may even deserve the death penalty but I don’t think it’s right that his own mother is running her mouth on national news lobbying for his death sentence. I think his mom’s got her priorities mixed up. What about you?
Would you ever wish the death penalty on your own child?
Image via Zaldylmg/Flickr
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Comments 72
when did we as a society marry our children ? it states in all the religions that man & woman shall cleave to each other. incestuous relationships ?? i love my son with all my heart & soul, there is a thing called right & wrong , inherently we have this trait , even wild aminals do . that's the problem today with children, parents, & society. my parents would have killed me right there and then, saving taxpayers money, period, end of story.
i have clinical depression, brought up in domestic violence, drugs, alcohol so were whole generations from the 40, 50's, 60's you get the picture, thought about killing , never acted on such fantasying. were do you get this bs of shielding an adult child with a normal capacity to think, fostering the belief that they are above the law & order provided by our society. old saying " don't do the crime if you can't do the time". now grow up !!! a loving mom
no way could I wish dealth on anyone let alone my child
What right do you have to judge a woman that just lost her husband and was in danger of losing her own life?
You don't know that she put men before her children. You don't know anything about her or their circumstance. For you to decide that she must have basically been an uncaring or bad mother who put others before her child because her choices are not yours is ignorant and ridiculous. Leave this lady alone she has suffered enough and may just be a person that believes in people getting justice equivalent to thier actions.
I'm hesitant to comment, but I somewhat agree with the author. I understand that my children are capable of committing terrible acts, as is any one of us under specific circumstances. And I understand that if they did so, they would and should be punished according to societal standards. But even if they hurt me or my husband personally, I don't think I could wish them death. Could any of you mothers or fathers actually pull the lever on the electric chair? I don't think it's being illogical to love your children, no matter what evil they do. Yes, my heart would be broken for whoever they hurt, and I would probably feel partially responsible being the one that raised them. But advocate for the death penalty? I don't think so.
Given all of this, I also agree that we shouldn't judge this mother, who is mourning the loss of her husband and her child all at once.
I believe that the majority of what is wrong with the world today is the attitude of a lot of mothers I see who do not feel that their child should have to pay the consequences of their actions. That their child can do no wrong. Many mothers do not take the time to TEACH their children compassion, empathy, and to cherish life. Plan old simple good MORALS. The way I was raised I would have NEVER even thought of rasing my hand to my mother or father. I am also a mother who totally adores my daughter but that does not blind me to the fact that she has faults. And yes if she committed a crime I would EXPECT her to pay the price for that crime. BLIND love does no one any good and teaches someone that no matter what they do it will be ok and without consquences. You,Ms Cruz are doing your children no good if you raise them that way. I love my daughter and always will no matter what, BUT she also knows that I will not approve, condone or turn a blind eye to mistakes she makes.
continued:
You have no idea of the full background of this story, nor do I but yes I can see a mother saying that they deserve the punishment for the crime they committed. Drinking and drugs are no excuse for any poor behaviour. He made the choice to abuse both and has very probably put his mother through hell over the years. Until you have dealt with more than an infant or toddler and had to handle a teenager or grown adult you have absolutely NO right to be so judgemental and condemning of this woman who has been through hell.
After reading 2 articles on "The Stir" in the last 2 days and highly disagreeing with both writers I can see that this site is basically on the same level as the Enquiror and isn't worth the time or effort to read.
What a bizarre premise for an article about an unlikely scenario the majority of us will never have to fathom.