Is the death penalty actually fair?

Question

To me i think it is.
I mean... The person is there because he/she murdered someone.. The person they murdered had to suffer through pain... But the death penalty is painless (or some says)
And even if it is painful.. They deserve it.. They're the one who killed a person..

A life for a life...
but that soulds like. An eye for an eye makes the whole world go blind...

What do you believe in?

now that i think about it more..
the people who are innocent, but are convicted guilty are gonna be killed for no reason... Now I don't know what to believe in..

Answer 1

You have asked a good question, and for a good reason. I think that you need the facts to make your mind up on this issue. Common sense can do the rest. Here are a few facts about the death penalty in the United States, all verifiable and sourced.

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: 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 about the consequences or even that 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 or an eye for an eye mentality.

Answer 2

I guess my question would be how you would feel if you were put into an electric chair for something you didn't do?

If there is absolutely no question and it is a psychopath, go for it! Most murders however have no witness to testify and the case is built on circumstantial evidence!

Florida had to stop their executions as they botched one execution so badly it took hours for him to die! many states have abandoned executing as they are now finding out that so called killers DNA proves that they are not! Some have spent as long as 15 years in jail for crimes they did not commit!

How do you give someone their life back after you have executed them!

You operate from a premise that everyone is guilty! I operate from one that some are not, and I have worked with the police for almost 20 years (child abuse) and I see what kind of case they put together! Most are great, some aren't!

What was really troubling was they were not certain the person they charged did it! They would have circumstantial cases, but the police made their decisions to charge often on a lie detector test, which is neither accurate or admissible! If you are that unsure of your investigation, you don't have a case that should hold up in court. I never once investigating child abuse, based my decision on a lie detector!

"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone"

Answer 3

This is a very controversal question. I am opposed to death penalty. There are many arguments against the death penalty. I will name a few and you can decide if you agree with them. I feel that it shouldn't be in the hands of anyone to decide whether one should live or die. There have been many studies that show that it is not a deterrent of crime. There have also been people that have been wrongfully convicted of crimes you can't take life back. The most important reason is I think is that it is not cost effective, there is so much red tape and the appeal process takes so long it ends up costing a ton of money.

Answer 4

I feel alot like you on this subject. I actually think that people that harm (breaking the law) others should be punished the same way. If you shoot someone in the foot, you should be shot in the foot, etc. I have very strong opinions about the death penalty. I do not think it is fair to get to sit in a jail with tv and almost all of the same things you would have at home and then one day get led into "the room" for "a shot".

Answer 5

I believe that the death penatly should be enforced ONLY IF it can be proved that the person committed the crime without any doubt (like surveliance video in a murder/robery or they were actually caught in the middle of the crime). I also believe that it should not just be limited to murderers. I think that people who repeatly sexually abuse kids should fry also. I believe someone that is always convicted of trafficking drugs should fry. If they are a repeat offender, THEY NEED TO FRY!!!

Answer 6

I once believe the death penalty should be abolished. But then as I heard more about children being molested and murdered I have since changed my mind. I now believe that any crime committed against a child such as molestation and/or murder should constitute the death penalty. That's why I don't believe that child molesters should register after release...no one cares where their grave is (or SHOULD BE!)

Answer 7

definite! whether one believes in the death penalty or no longer, it grow to be created as a lawful punishment, and Jodi Arias meets each and all of the factors. the potential of her having an threat to "snap" lower back is horrifying.

Answer 8

Yes. What is not fair is them living on death row for 10-20 years before execution.
Ted Bundy will never kill another young girl, will he.

Answer 9

its not fair or right. If the state says you are not allowed to kill a person then they shouldnt be allowed to.

Answer 10

no one can take another life.

and too many people have been put to death while innocent