what do you think of the death penalty and capital punishment?

Answer 1

I think that the death penalty is wrong and disgusting. Executing someone because they did something wrong is horrible. Has anyone ever heard the saying 'two wrongs don't make a right'? I believe if someone has gone so far as murdering, esponiage, treason, or military injustice they should get the sentence of life in prison with major counseling. If someone sinks that low, our justice system should not sink to their level either. In my opinion, execution is a disgusting and ornery thing to do.

Answer 2

I oppose it. Here are some of the facts that led me to this view. They are all verifiable and sourced. Once you see them, common sense will do the rest.

Re: Possibility of executing an innocent person
Over 120 people on death rows have been released with evidence of their innocence, many having already served over 2 decades on death row. If we speed up the process we are bound to execute an innocent person. Once someone is executed the case is closed. If we execute an innocent person the real criminal is still out there and will have successfully avoided being charged.

Re: DNA
DNA is available in less than 10% of murder cases. It’s not a miracle cure for sentencing innocent people to death. It’s human nature to make mistakes.

Re: Appeals
Our appeals system is designed to make sure the trial was in accord with constitutional standards, not to second guess whether the defendant was actually innocent. It is very difficult to get evidence of innocence introduced before an appeals court.

Re: Deterrence
The death penalty isn’t 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: cost
The death penalty costs far more than life in prison. The huge extra costs start to mount up even before the trial. There are more cost effective ways to prevent and control crime.

Re: Alternatives
48 states have life without parole on the books. It means what it says, is swift and sure and is rarely appealed. Being locked in a tiny cell for 23 hours a day, forever, is certainly no picnic. Life without parole incapacitates a killer (keeps him from re-offending) and costs considerably less than the death penalty.

Re: Who gets the death penalty
The death penalty isn’t 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
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.

Opposing the death penalty doesn’t mean you condone brutal crimes or excuse people who commit them. According to a Gallup Poll, in 2006, 47% of all Americans prefer capital punishment while 48% prefer life without parole. Americans are learning the facts and making up their minds using common sense, not revenge.

Answer 3

I believe the punishment should fit the crime, however the justice system is so flawed you can get away with murder and the innocent get screwed unless you have enough money.

Answer 4

oh wow,,HUGE question. For me,it depends on the crime,,in some cases I'm all for the death penalty.

Answer 5

I'm all for an eye for an eye - specifically in the case of child molestation. I know that we should leave everything up to the higher power - but I also feel that there are unredeemable people who will just drain our resources with jail time.

Answer 6

I think it is wrong. I know what the crimes or crime they did was wrong, but they must be punished in a different way, because two wrongs do not make a right, and because it is ethically wrong to kill someone. The bible says, "SHALL NOT KILL."

Answer 7

There are some evil bastards on this planet who do not belong here one minute more. Sorry. No one can justify allowing the scum that would rape and bury a child alive to live to me.

Just how I roll. Flame away

Answer 8

totally for it. Not surprisingly, I'm a native Texan.

Answer 9

i believe in the death penalaity

Answer 10

i dont belive in the death penity