An argument against the death penalty.?

Question

I think we shouldn't have the death penalty because,
1. Statistically It does not prevent or deter serious crime.
2. We abolished it in this country because we decided the state should not take life. Reintating it would be a cultural step backwards.
3. We can never be 100% guilt. The list of people convicted of crimes that would have had the death penalty that were later found innocent is huge. (Birmingham 6 for example) If we send just one innocent person to there deaths, this would be a travesty.
4. WHY should a killer get away with such a light punishment such as death. A few minutes of suffering while a death sentence is carried out and then "escape" is not an adequate punishment. This is highlighted by Ian Brady's appeal to the court of human rights to be given permission to starve himself to death because he sees it as a better option than life in prison. He was refused.

Whats your view?

Answer 1

Even in the best judicial systems in the world, i.e., Western Europe, it is estimated that as many as 10% of people found guilty of ANY crime are, in fact, innocent.

I believe that to NOT have the death penalty, is the sign of a civilised country. As a European, I am proud we led the way in this.

Much better to leave a person in jail for the rest of his life. Forensics are advancing all the time,. and many convicted murderers can, in fact be proved innocent years later.
The common argument is that they get it too easy in prison- i'.e., colour televisions. I think that would be the ultimate torture- to have to watch television for the rest of your life.


My final argument is this. Texas has the death penalty. In the entire history of Texas, only ONE governor ever attended every single execution during his term of office. George Bush.

I rest my case....

Answer 2

With respect, I think your line of thought is deffective and part of the reason why we have got to this situation in UK.

There is an argument as to whether or not it is a deterrent.

Well there is one way to put that question to rest.
I say bring back the death penalty for a trial period (say 5 years)
First take a careful count of the number of specified crimes committed in (say) the 5 preceeding years.
Then administer the death penalty rigorously for the next 5 years and monitor the situation. Obviously we would want to be 100% certain that a person was guilty but apparently this is now possible with DNA testing.
Specified crimes should be pre meditated murder, genuine rape, drug peddling.
The term pre meditated murder should include those killings carried out by motor car where the driver was under the influence of drink, drugs or using a mobile 'phone where this can be shown to have caused the killing.
I believe that this would change people's attitudes to the value of human life.
We would all understand that we have a responsibility towards our fellow man and woman and people who are careless with this should pay the price - their own life.

Answer 3

I agree with you in regards to not agreeing with the death penalty, However, what country are you in? The U.S. has not abolished the death penalty... it varies state to state, except in Federal matters. For example, Michigan doesn't have the death penalty, but if you commit certain Federal crimes in Michigan you can receive the death penalty.
I don't know if someone would be getting off easy with the death penalty, they sit in a single man cell for years, appealling their verdict before being executed.
I agree that it doesn't deter or prevent serious crimes, and I don't believe in the death penalty, I do believe that innocent people have been executed on too many occasions, and I know it sounds strange but I would feel the same way if I was looking at someone who killed my loved one and they were facing the death penalty.
I often wondered, if we give the death penalty to a murderer, when they are executed, isn't it fair to say that the executioner is a murderer also?

Answer 4

The arguments for and against the death penalty have been aired many times, However, on balance, I am against it. Lets personalise it. There are people, including women it would seem, who are quite prepared to leave their homes in the morning, probably kissing the kids or spouse goodbye (have a nice day dear and all that), and then going off to work to kill someone they don't know, and someone who hasn't done them any personal harm. Now, one has to wonder what sort of people they are: Sociopaths, or Psychopaths, perhaps. Would they be prepared to execute members of their own family? if not, why not? They must believe very strongly in the death penalty. After all, the condemned will have a family somewhere. It would be an interesting question to put to others who believe in the death penalty: whether they would be as keen if it was a member of their family. It's always easier when it is someone else.

I have never understood why, in America, it is necessary to have a system that keeps people on death row for many years, which is quite a sentence in itself with death hanging over your head, and then to execute them in front of an audience of 200 people plus. I am asking why they need to be there? Gawping voyeurs.

It really is, quite sick. As women tend to personalise things, I would seriously question their motives for being involved in this process, albeit that it tends to mimic a hospital surgical procedure. Remember, it is nearly always men that are being executed. Could it be providing feminists with their ultimate power trip over men?

Answer 5

1. It is not a deterrent. It is a punishment.
2. Suffering and prison is a contradiction in terms. TV's, Gyms, No constructive work.
The news has just said a man has been arrested for killing the girls in Ipswich. If he's guilty tell me again why he or persons like him should not hang, otherwise explain why 10 - 15 years inside then coming out to a fully furnished house and benefits, a Social Worker to run around after them, is justified as punishment.

Answer 6

Difficult question to answer, but considering the light treatment some violent and evil people get in jail, all at the taxpayer's expense, it's no wonder that people consider the death penalty an option.
Best thing to do to people who have committed serious crimes is to lock them in a soundproof room with the victim's family.

Answer 7

It really doesn't matter what you or I think. Protocol 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms prohibits the death penalty "under all circumstances".

Britain cannot reintroduce the death penalty without quitting the Council of Europe and the European Union.

It's not going to happen.

Answer 8

you have to makew a decision as to wether to incarcerate, or incinerate.

on humanitarian grounds, teh death penalty is as severe a penalty as one can set, but its only a deterrent if its used wisely and correctly... ie. no more state sanctioned killing of people for anythng less than murder rape or child abuse. but this is England, and we dont execute prisoners..and 30 years in HMP isnt the nightmare it once was.. (i know, im a convicted armed robber) today, well its 3 squares, and colour telly...with no responsibilities or obligations. being banged up in todays prison system is a paid holiday.

i actually did time with the sons of annie macguire, (the guilford four &associates) they didnt get a fair deal, and indeed they were innocent, i was long gone when they got released, paddy went in as a young kid... and i read a piece on him in the times a few years back, those years in Aylesbury prison..well they effect your whole life thereafter...i'm the same. and its been such a deterrrent that for 28 years ive stayed out...

but it only works because i have a reason to stay away from crime and criminality, i have responsibilities, obligations, and everything else which goes along with having a stable family life, i value my freedom... and being in a wheelchair makes doing a runner a little difficult!

but the death penalty, what does it say about the lawmakers? we here in blighty give people the chance to reform their lifes, make ammends, and become members of society. you kill someone and its all over, it says we cant be bothered with you, your dog poo on my shoe... to be scraped away and discarded. wheres the incentive in that?

the death penalty whilst barbaric does have an incentive...avoid the rope. i think we ought to reintroduce the drop. with DNA and advances in forensics, we have less opportunities for istakes to be made. yes miscariages of justice will still occur, and unless the supporting evidence is 100% watertight..theres no death penalty. just imprisonment.

if the drop were reintroduced, and they were automatic sentences, ie perp kills plod... perp kills kids, perp pervs kids, class A dealers... (they might as well be selling kalshnikovs and ammunition) and sort out the law... i shoot someone, i get life...fair enough..but if im pissed as a fart and plough into the school crossing lady killing her and three kids... i might get 5 years... the law is as unblanced as teh rest of the society it purports to protect. get rid of archaic terms, and bring it upto date. dont take away the judges ability to judge and mete senternce... but make certain crimes have an obligatory sentencing requirement.

Answer 9

I agree with you. The most compelling reason for abolishing the death penalty is the remote chance that a truly innocent person might be put to death. Even a really, really remote chance is too great a chance in my book. The legal system is too corrupt to allow it to have such absolute power.

Answer 10

I think that the death penalty should only be used in extreme cases such as Tim McVeigh or a John Wayne Gacy type.

It is sometimes hard to allow the right of an individual to live when they have denied that right to others.

Look at Richard Speck, strangled 8 women in 1 night in 1966. sentenced to death, but ex-commuted to life after 1972 Supreme Court decision. Spent the rest of his life in jail doing drugs, taking female hormones to where he grew breasts, and engaging in dozens of sexual affairs that apparently he had no problem with. A lot of this was caught on video.

His quotes: "If they knew how much fun I'm having here, they would probably let me out, that would be the true punishment."

"It takes a lot of strength to strangle someone to death, even a small woman can be a little tough."

"Yeah I killed them, what can I say, it just wasn't their night."

Some people are just past the point.