There is no way this felon should receive a heart transplant whether on the taxpayers dime or not. I read through this thread and saw post after post of uneducated and emotionally driven comments from this felon's family. I respect their right as a family to stick up for him although if they are also the family of the girl that was raped and sodomized then they all have a serious issue with rightfully placed loyalty. As a family, they should have bonded together to support the girl that was raped, not the rapist. The felon's daughter wants to say that the girl isn't scarred for life because she's married with kids? That is the most ignorant statement I've ever heard. Just because a woman fights through and does things to live a "normal" life doesn't mean that damage hasn't been done that effects her everyday. I know this firsthand as the mother of my children was raped as a child. She fights that battle everyday of her life and some days are better than others. Give the heart to someone that deserves it. One of my best friends is on the list at Strong and I know that he better receive this heart before that monster does if it is compatible. To the family, I know it isn't easy and I do empathize with your loss of a brother, father etc... However he began hurting everyone around him when he raped that girl. His death due to ineligiblity for a transplant should just complete the cycle of pain. Unfortunately, that's going to be the view of the vast majority of the everyday citizen.

I won't go so far as to say he should die but there are other people on transplants lists waiting for a heart. They should come first. Imagine the total cost to taxpayers when you add in the cost of the police officers on duty guarding him, mercy flight and all the other costs. As a taxpayer I am disgusted with the entire system. I understand the medical staff at Strong as that is what they are there for and I commend them for doing a difficult job.

We've been hearing about this in Syracuse and the simple point is, a convicted felon, particularly a rapist, murderer, etc should not be given a perfectly good organ at the taxpayer's expense. As for the family, I'm sorry for you, but if a family member of mine was convicted of this, I wouldn't stand up for him. And to all the potential ORGAN DONORS, state laws allow you to choose who your organs go to. Look into it and make sure that yours don't go to felons who serve no purpose on this Earth.

Cant they put a pigs heart in this "man" since that's what he is?

he obviously doesnt have a heart so we probably shouldnt give him one

Dear Mr.Dusset, In response to your column, I can understand why people do not want to be a donor. how would your family feel if you where a donor and your heart went to a child molester?? And I'm sorry your friend past away because he needed a heart, he may have lived we don't know? If a heart was available or it went to someone who was not worthy!!

Dear Mr.Dusett, I can understand people saying "Thats why I'm not a donor". I'll bet you it would bother your family god forbid somthing happened to you and heart was tranplanted into a child molester!!!!! Think about that for a minute!!!!

Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars for a HEART TRANSPLANT! OUR Tax money is paying for that! What is wrong with our Govt.? And the cost of the MERCY FLIGHT? My God...What Next? Why can't he be put in General Population when he returns to prison...that will take care of his Heart Problem...Oh yeah, while he's in the hospital, CASTRATE the S.o.b. Put them on a string and make him wear them proudly around his neck!

OH BOY! NOW I'M P - - - - D! TO THINK THAT A SCUM BAG HAS THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE A HEART TRANSPLANT WHEN HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE OUT THERE WAITING, HANGING ON WITH HOPE THAT THEY WILL BECOME A RECIPIENT. YUP...LETS KEEP THE SCUM BAG ALIVE FOR A LONG LONG TIME, SET HIM UP IN A POSH HOTEL, CATER TO HIS EVERY WHIM...AFTER ALL, HE'S QUITE FAMOUS, FROM THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF RAPE AND SODOMY! HE'S A REAL ASSET TO OUR SOCIETY!

At tmpike if that was my father I would hate his freaking guts for the rest of my life and never talk to him again. I would deny my father a heart transplant. Yes that's right that is how I feel about it. Money the root of all evil? Did money cause you father to rape and molest a litte girl because that is pure evil to the core. You should be ashamed that you would put your jail rotting rapist father on the list for a heart before someone that actually DESERVES it. This has nothing to do with absolutely nothing to do with money in my eyes. It's the fact that this sick man is even considered.