The comments on The Tidewater News website were quite telling in the reaction to the news that Joseph Charles “Jay” Joyner Jr. is expected to plead guilty of killing his father and stepmother on April 26.

Overall, they exemplify an understandable frustration and sense of hopelessness about how to both deter violent crime and effectively punish such evildoers.

Joyner allegedly beat to death his stepmother, Sandra Joyner, 58, inside the couple’s home on Walters Highway. Joe Joyner, 62, was found shot to death in the woods behind the home.

Money has been put forward as a motive. The talk has been that Joe Joyner was going to cut off his son financially.

Of the 14 comments posted on our website as of Thursday, nine people favor the death penalty for Joyner, and think he’s cheating the hangman, so to speak.

One commenter, tootuff2tame, writes: “This is exactly why these type of things keep happening. It’s too easy to get out of any real punishment. Now he’ll get a free ride from our pockets. Will be better for him now that he doesn’t have to worry about food, electricity, heat, or a place to sleep. Leave it to our wonderful judicial system.”

Masknup demands: “Hang ‘em high should be the action! It is time that people are held RESPONSIBLE for their actions. And we wonder how so many murders happen every year… .”

Another theme to the comments is how taxpayers will have to support him as he rots, er, grows old in prison. From commenter kingradman, “but how much is it going to cost to house and feed him; he is a young man, it would cost way more.”

BlondeStranger claims that studies in other states such as Texas show capital murder cases and executions are actually more expensive:

“If you want the death penalty in capital cases, do it because you believe it’s the right thing to do, or because you think it is worth it. But, don’t fool yourself into believing that you’re doing it to save the taxpayers some money, because that will never happen.”

Regardless, what comes to our mind is that while everyone has valid points, writing under a pseudonym is not enough.

Channel your passion by taking action. Contact your state lawmakers and explain your concerns. Use online forums to seek out similar-minded people and organize strategies to help achieving the goal.

True, you ultimately might not be successful, but that’s no reason not to make an effort.