Do you believe in capital punishment?

Answer 1

I believe it should be an eye for an eye.

Unless there's absolute proof of mental insanity... that's a different tree to bark up.

Answer 2

I'm probably the most passionate advocate of capital punishment in the world. Whether it works or not I don't know, but one thing I'm sure about is there some thugs out there who have no regard for human life and the only way to restrict their chances to kill people is a merciless, physical termination of criminal convicted in a first-degree murder. I repeat again, that no mercy, no remorse, no pity should be expressed towards criminals. I supported the execution of Tookie Williams. Writing a book about how much he changed is not a redemption for his ugly crime. Yes, the only redemption is DEATH.

Answer 3

I don't - because it is the nature of human beings to make mistakes, and with capital punishment the consequences of a mistake are irreversible. Here are answers to some of the questions often asked about the system, with sources listed below. Eye for an eye sound bites are no substitutes for the facts.

What about the risk of executing innocent people?
124 people on death rows have been released with evidence of their innocence.

Doesn't DNA keep new cases like these from happening?
DNA is available in less than 10% of all homicides. It is not a guarantee against the execution of innocent people.

Doesn't the death penalty prevent others from committing murder?
No reputable study shows the death penalty to be a deterrent. To be a deterrent a punishment must be sure and swift. The death penalty is neither. Homicide rates are higher in states that have it than in states that do not.

So, what are the alternatives?
Life without parole is now on the books in 48 states. It means what it says. It is sure and swift and rarely appealed. Life without parole is less expensive than the death penalty.

But isn't the death penalty cheaper than keeping criminals in prison?
The death penalty costs much more than life in prison, largely because of the legal process. Extra costs include those due to the complicated nature of both the pre trial investigation and of the trials (involving 2 separate stages, mandated by the Supreme Court) in death penalty cases and subsequent appeals. There are more cost effective ways to prevent and control crime.

What about the very worst crimes?
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??

Doesn't the death penalty help families of murder victims?
Not necessarily. Murder victim family members across the country argue that the drawn-out death penalty process is painful for them and that life without parole is an appropriate alternative.

So, why don't we speed up the process?
Over 50 of the innocent people released from death row had already served over a decade. If the process is speeded up we are sure to execute an innocent person.

But don’t Americans prefer the death penalty as the most serious punishment?
Not any more. People are rethinking their views, given the facts and the records on innocent people sentenced to death. According to a Gallup Poll, in 2006, 47% of all Americans prefer capital punishment while 48% prefer life without parole. Americans are learning about the system and we are making up our minds based on facts, not eye for an eye sound bites.

Answer 4

the crime should fit the punishment you have to think about what the victim and there family went through and what that person would do if they ever get out they may end up doing the same thing all over again

Answer 5

I shouldn't because of my religion, but I do so because there is no other way to stop the very bad individuals and God gave us reasoning to use, and I weigh the cost of keeping that very bad person alive with the cost of maybe some poor person having some meals for survival, so it's not a selfish motive, although it's still wrong.

Answer 6

No. if they are killed (usually because they killed someone) then the person who kills them is a murdered too. Also, wouldn't it be more of a punishment if they lived in a really bad prison for their whole life with no chance of escape or bail? Then you have to live the price of what you are done, not be relieved of being stuck in a prison.

Answer 7

Yes, but only if there is no shadow of doubt. In Canada they
quit the hangings. They need to bring it back. Several murderers
have gone free. Paul Bernardo is living the life of Riley in a
cell they made just for him so he wouldn't be in the general
population. He and his wife raped and murdered a lot of young
girls including his sister-in-law. I really do believe in capital
punishment. SMARTEN UP CANADA, BRING HANGING BACK!!

Answer 8

People who work in our nation's capital SHOULD be punished!!

Answer 9

If the person accused has admitted that he/she has done the crime (such as murder) and all of the evidence (fingerprints, hair samples, etc.) against this person including DNA matches the accused, then yes, I feel that they should be punished accordingly.

Answer 10

I can think of quite a few that can only be handled if they're gone from the face of the earth. It really is an individual case.