Five years into a possible 46 year prison sentence, Alonso Peña, is asking that he be put to death, while his mother, Carmen Mesén, is desperately trying to convince her son of otherwise.
Peña was only 19 years old when he was sentenced.
Peña filed a “recurso de amparo” (writ of habeas corpus) with the Sala IV (Constitutional Court) that he be injected with a lethal substance, rather than live out his live in prison.
The man is currently in La Reforma prison in Alajuela and tells his mother of his daily plight and that life behinds bars has no value and that he would rather die.
However, it is doubtful that Peña will get his wish, as Costa Rica does not have a death penalty and the court cannot rule against the Constitution.
Criminal lawyer, Juan Diego Castro, explains that any person who would in effect administer the lethal injection would be charged with murder.
Peña is adamant that he does wish to continue on living in prison and would rather prefer death.
The young man has so far only been convicted, sentenced and serving a 11 year prison term for “robo agravado and resistencia agravada” (robbery and resisting arrest), however, is waiting trial on other charges that included attempted robbery and attempted murder.
If convicted on those charges he faces a total of 46 years behind bars.
Peña says he conscious of the damage his caused and repenftul and understands that he must pay his dues, however, added that dying in prison is tantamount to a life sentence and that living out his days behind bars is causing great psychological and emotional damage to him and his family.
“My wishes is for a lethal injection as I want to die without pain. I know that I can poison or hang myself, but I don’t want to suffer. I know that some think I am crazy, however, I am with my full faculties and want that they understand how difficult it is in here. Survival in one of these places (prison) is unbearable”, Peña told the television cameras who broadcast nationally his request.
The young man now waits for the magistrates to make their ruling.
