Do you honestly feel murderers consider the death penalty as an option to their actions?

Question

Or just people in general I suppose. Without a doubt, people know that they may get arrested and go to jail from doing something that's illegal, such a murder, but do they really take the death penalty into consideration?

The reason I ask is because I question if the death penalty actually works a large percentage of the time as it's supposed to. Don't people think a life sentence is perhaps not equally undesirable but nevertheless extremely undesirable?

Some form of punishment is without a doubt necessary...but is the death penalty actually effective?

Answer 1

I don't think so. Most violent criminals do not even think they will be caught, let alone face the death penalty. The death penaly is not effective in preventing or reducing crime and it risks executing innocent people. Here with sources below, are some facts about the practical aspects of the system.

Risks of executing innocent people-
124 people on death rows have been released with evidence of their innocence. DNA is available in less than 10% of all homicides and isn’t a guarantee we won’t execute innocent people.

The death penalty doesn't 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 and regions that have it than in states that don’t.

We have a good alternative. 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.

Death penalty costs. The death penalty costs much more than life in prison, mostly because of the legal process. When the death penalty is a possible sentence, extra costs start mounting up before trial, continue through the uniquely complicated trial in death penalty cases (actually 2 separate stages, mandated by the Supreme Court), and appeals.

The death penalty doesn't apply to people with money. Its not reserved for the “worst of the worst,” but for defendants with the worst lawyers. When is the last time a wealthy person was on death row, let alone executed?

The death penalty doesn't necessarily help families of murder victims. 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.

Problems with speeding 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.

Answer 2

People who maliciously take other beings life (outside of war/ life & death situations), whether it be human or animal dont have the mental capacity or consequential understanding as others do. Murderers take action and think afterwards, most time there is no remorse for the victim or their families... they feel sorry for themselves and their punishment.

Capital punishment is neccesary when the murder(s) affect the community in such a negative way that an "eye for an eye" response is needed.

Ex: If a man is convicted of serial raping and killing kids. The entire community would demand justice... death.

As for whether it is effective, the anwer is both yes and no. Based on what I said above, murderers dont think about the consequences before they kill so it is not effective in that way, but if the crime is so attrocious then it is neccesary to appease the public.

Answer 3

No, this never enters their mind. They think that everyone but them are really stupid and that they won't get caught.
Ted Bundy was arrogant and thought that no one would ever put 2 and 2 together. But he got the death penalty and the State of Florida snuffed out his arrogant a_ _.
Look at this from the victim's point of view. If someone broke into your house tonight, went into your parents room killed them both, cut them up, made a huge mess. Then went down the hall killed all the pets. Came in to where you are, beat and raped you, leaving for dead. You cannot tell me in your heart of hearts that a lifetime in prison is all you thought this person should get. Lethal injection would be too humane for him.
Charlie Manson is doing life in California & he's still just as crazy as ever. And Charlie doesn't think he did anyhting wrong.

Answer 4

I do not think that people who murder another really care or think about it. As far as being a deterrent to stop a murder, we will never know how many might have been stopped because people thought about the punishment they could get.

Answer 5

I think and this is my opinion, a murderer convicted of premeditated murder should be put away for life and sentenced to near death every year on Christmas. They should learn what fear is and look death in the eyes as their victims had to do. I feel no sympathy for a murderer. He has taken the timing of death of his victim out of God's hands...........