Do You Believe In the Death Penalty?

Answer 1

I'm sure that you wanted more than just yes or no answers. Here are some of the verifiable facts. This issue is too important to be without them.

Re: cost
The death penalty costs far more than life in prison.

Re: Possibility of executing an innocent person
Over 120 people on death rows have been released with evidence of their innocence.

Re: DNA
DNA evidence is available in no more than 20% of all murder cases. It is no guarantee that we will never execute an innocent person. It is human nature to make mistakes.

Re: speed
If we speed the process we are bound to execute an innocent person.

Re: Deterrence
The death penalty is not a deterrent. Murder rates are actually higher in states with the death penalty than in states without it. Moreover, people who kill or commit other serious crimes do not think they will be caught (if they think at all.)

Re: Alternatives
More and more states have life without parole on the books. Life without parole means what it says and is no picnic.

Re: Who gets the death penalty
The death penalty is not reserved for the “worst of the worst,” but rather for defendants with the worst lawyers. When is the last time a wealthy person was sentenced to death, let alone executed??

Re: Victims families
People should know that the death penalty is very hard on victims’ families. They must relive their ordeal in the courts and the media. Life without parole is sure, swift and rarely appealed. Some victims families who support the death penalty in principal prefer life without parole because of how the death penalty affects families like theirs.

Last of all, opposing the death penalty does not mean a person condones brutal crimes or excuses the people who commit them. I believe that the dialogue on the death penalty should be based on verifiable facts. People should make up their minds using common sense not revenge.

Answer 2

NO

It does not defer crime

Studies have shown that it costs MORE to put an inmate on death row than it does to give them life in prison

It does not do justice. How does taking a life justify taking a life?

It causes mental harm to others besides just the inmate. What about the families of the inmate on death row? What about their pain and suffering of knowing their son or daughter is going to be put to death?

Answer 3

No. Two wrongs don't make a right. Too many innocent people are executed and rotting in prison is in my mind a strong enough punishment for any crime. The death penalty is about revenge - it is not a deterrent.

Answer 4

Yes I do. I am a avid true crime book reader, I probably have 50 or so of them, I've read them all. Some of the things that have been done to people is just evil and wicked. I believe if they kill 1 person or 500 people, they deserve to die. Why should they get to spend their life in prison, using our tax dollars, have 3 meals a day and be able to breath? The people they killed do not get to breath again, they don't get to eat and they don't get to live.

Answer 5

Yes

Answer 6

Yes

Answer 7

Yes I do. I have yet to see someone suffer the death penalty and return to commit more crimes. I wish it would happen much faster than it does though. Treat them all like Timothy McVeigh, swift punishment.

Answer 8

No. I think the a**holes should rot in prison instead. Being locked in a cell for life seems a little worse than death to me

Answer 9

do i believe in it...yeah, cause it happens everyday. that's like asking if you "believe in Santa Claus".


Do you agree with the death penalty: that should be the question. and no i don't really agree w/it...i don't agree with murderers sucking up my tax dollars sitting on death row for 20 years. that's not justice.

Answer 10

Yes, especially for certain crimes like murder. Why should the people have to support them for the rest of their lives? And in some prisons they have more advantages than some of us on the "outside". Of course we have the freedom to come and go but there is a lot they take for granted that I can't afford.