Do certain criminals deserve the death penalty?

Question

Like murderers, terrorists, etc.? I believe in the death penalty and I believe that it is effective. What are your thoughts?

Answer 1

I agree completely. Many people want to say that the death penalty is too harsh of a punishment. I believe that it is not a punishment as much as protection for society. Animals kill out of instinct while humans have the ability to reason and understand their actions. But yet when an animal kills it is immediately put to death. Why would we even hesitate with a human.

Answer 2

My personal opinion is this: If there is any doubt whatsoever that the person committed the crime (s), they should never be given the death penalty. Innocent people have been put to death.
However, if it is a premeditated murder with a motive such as greed, the death penalty should be given taking into consideration mitigating circumstances. DNA evidence should be apparent, plus much forensic evidence in this case. I don't think circumstantial evidence should result in the death penalty.
There are so many built-in safegurards for anyone receiving the death penalty - they have many opportunities, in most cases, to legal procedures that keep them from being put to death for many, many years. My main reason for wanting such a criminal put to death is not revenge or for others to think again before committing a crime. I don't think the death penalty is always a deterrent, tho it may be. They say the murder rate doesn't go down where there is a death penalty. I just think it costs so much of the taxpayer's money to keep them in shelter, food, clothes, and all the amenities there are in prison. Also, it sometimes gives some relief to the family and friends of the person who was murdered to know that he/she has been put to death, even tho nothing can bring their loved one back. Also, they can never be released or escape when they might strike again.

Answer 3

I believe that people who scream into their cellphones at a nice restaurant deserve the death penalty. I suppose if I support the death penalty for these black tie, banquet, bashers then maybe the murderers should be included.

Answer 4

well what can i say? every other month or so it looks like on the news we see some black guy getting out of jail after 20 years for a crime that has be retroactively confirmed he did not commit.
its heroic in the face of justice.
i would OK only very hesitantly to this one guys. careful.
paint yourself a world where someone can blackmail you with certain evidence of a heinous crime because by the time your innocense could be proven you are already dead with your little secrets.
i read in psychology today oct 06 issue that 1% of the US population is psychopathic. but 3.5% of upper management positions fit the profile. sorry if this is a bit off base but i mean it as supporting argument for my very iffy stance on this sensitive topic.
lets just make SURE, well beyond any reasonable doubt in anyones mind we got the right person that did the crime and have a thorough background investigation pointing to all his ties so we may do so in good conscience.
and lets make sure its for guys with seriously disturbing and unrehabilitable conditions or total lack of or rejection of conscience type cases. yes they should still be able to blame everything they are on thier parents etc. some are that way because of thier past. its true, but then there is also the factor of the dog that got its teeth wet kinda thing. whatever fits the crime i think. some are rehabilitatable. some are not. I think that should be criteria and psychology itself has a long way to go to solidify legally acceptable definitions of the entire psyche of a human being beyond any reasonable doubt.
lets be really careful for this before there is a public hanging over a parking ticket. positions created out of optimism are doomed to failure. The **** always floats to the top.

Answer 5

Yes. Terrorist or other cold blooded killings, like drive by shootings at random, mass killers and sadistic or torture killings and killings where the killer was in a position of power and took advantage of it.

Many murders are committed by family members. God didn't execute Cain for killing Able. Sometimes the best punishment is to leave someone alive. When and when not to do this is wisdom totally lost upon humanity today.

Answer 6

The problem with the death penalty is that there have been too many cases where a person has been convicted only to be found innocent years later.

Check out this web site for examples:
http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/archive/index.php/t-2785.html

Answer 7

Well, on the big scheme of things it is cheaper to keep a prisoner for life than it is to kill him.

However, I believe in swift justice. Once guilty, beyond a reasonable doubt, then it is time to pay your dues. Does it work? In some cases it does. Does it pervent murder, I really can't say. Most people who pre meditate a murder think that they are not going to caught.

Anyway, who knows?

Take Care

Answer 8

YES, but the death penalty should be ordered by the person who has never committed a crime.

Answer 9

Yes, but I disagree with the way the death penalty is implemented today.

Answer 10

Certainly. I am a strong believer of an eye for an eye. That principal works as an excellent deterrent of crime in other some of the other countries around the world.