If the Death Penalty was...?

Question

If the death penalty and sentencing of the death penalty was streamlined in that there must exist overwhelming evidence such as DNA, etc., and once the guilt were verified through such processes, would you support the death penalty?

Answer 1

I support it now. Some cases are open and shut without DNA. I believe Death sentences already must have overwhelming evidence.

I think would I would like to see reformed in the Death penalty is the time it takes to get the execution. I mean these convicted criminals are putting up 20 plus appeals, and tying things up in court forever. Sometimes they are dying of old age on Death Row before any execution. That is ridiculous. The system has so many loopholes it is constantly getting abused. That part needs to be completely reformed.

Answer 2

I support the Death Penalty now.

I do not support the idea of streamlining the appeals process. Given more time, an innocent person may be able to bring forward exculpatory evidence; (falsified lab reports, mis-handling of samples, new witness, etc.)

Taking a man's life is a terrible thing to contemplate, and should
be looked at with a clear eye, not the heat of passion.

To me, economics is not sufficient justification for, or against.

The deterrent effect may be small, but is probably larger than
anti-D.P. advocates are willing to admit.
IMHO, society must continue to take advantage of this effect, no matter how small.

Answer 3

No, there are always going to be mistakes. Better to let a guilty man live than to kill an innocent one. The system is run by humans and is flawed. There have been cases already where the DNA results from certain labs were unreliable, where evidence techs faked the evidence and where police have planted specimens at the crime scene. The prosecutor in the Duke rape case was going ahead without DNA -- cases will still be prosecuted without any or much physical evidence.

Enterrod.. below says capital punishment would help with prison overcrowding. But in fact, very few people are in jail for capital offenses. The state does not save money on these cases; there are many costly appeals that drag out over years and years. Keep them in jail for life, don't tell me that's not punishment, years and years in a penitentiary with no hope for parole.

Answer 4

I would definitely support the death penalty. The next step is to get them to actually go through with it and not let people sit there draining tax payers money for 20 years. If they get the death penalty, they should have one week to get things in order and make atonements with family and then..... WHAMMO. Why is this country dragging this out. How long has people like Charles Manson been in jail?? Why would he be allowed to continue to live after what he has done?? What about all the other heinous crimes committed???

Answer 5

No. It is not the province of the state and federal government to execute its citizens regardless of the certainty of conviction. Also, it is still more expensive to implement the death penalty than it is to impose a life sentence. It results in a net loss to humanity.

Answer 6

I wish you would refer to my answer to "How can one compare abortion to Capital Punishment." (Politics) "genius by design" gave you a rational, concise answer; "DiamondDa" or whatever hasn't taken into consideration (FACT) that the "20 years" has been spent in prison by someone later proven innocent. Wonder how this person would feel to lose such a chunk of their life? OK. Let's just hang 'em in the public square w/lots of hoopla & kids & picnics. PURE BLOOD LUST.

Answer 7

I oppose the death penalty for anyone EXCEPT our corrupt, arrogant, incompetent, contemptible, shameful politicians who have made a mockery out of our electoral system and have ruined our United States government.
All members of the Bush administration, and all 535 pedophiles, gambling addicts, wife beaters, homosexuals, cross dressers, bad-check writers, drug abusers, alcoholics, liars, cheats, petty thieves, and - even a murderer or two - (members of Congress) should be tried for high treason and crimes against humanity; if convicted, they should all face a public firing squad. -RKO-

Answer 8

Yes, overcrowding of our prisons and lifetime support of inmates put a strain on law abiding citizens who pay taxes. I would support the death penalty.

Answer 9

Absolutely.

Answer 10

If it fit the crime. Of course, there are some people who are legitmately brain damaged. They could be an exclusion.