Why do we not execute Death Row inmantes after they are found guilty?

Question

After a fair trial, and allowing time for ONE appeal, why do we not serve justice by executing murderers in America? How did our society get to the point where we defend or feel sympathy for those who prey on the innocents in our country? How did we get to the point where we allow them to sit on death row for so long, costing us millions while lawyers play appeal games to keep them alive? I feel complete disgust over this issue. Someone help me make sense of it all.

Answer 1

I agree with not executing them if there is a posibility of them being exonerated. Killing an innocent is not what our justice system is about. The thing I disagree with in the justice system is the killer who is on video tape, seen by a bunch of people and could be ID by the witnesses, and there is proof that they committed the murder, or better was caught at the scean. Those are the ones I say have a quick one week trial then take them to the graveyard on the last day and shoot them in the head with a bullet or two or three. It will be so much cheaper on the tax payers. Yes it sounds mean, but look at the point from the person who was murdered, and the family that is left behind. Everyone makes choices, some just make very bad choices.

Answer 2

I am anti-capital punishment. Here are some reasons why the death penalty system has flaws and a few will answer your question:

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 and can’t guarantee we won’t execute 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 and regions 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, mostly because of the legal process. When the death penalty is a possible sentence, extra costs mount up even before trial, continuing through the uniquely complicated trial (actually 2 separate trials, one to decide guilt and the second to decide the punishment) in death penalty cases, and appeals.

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.

Answer 3

I believe it was one of our founding fathers who said I would rather have 1,000 guilty men free then 1 innocent man locked up. I'm all for executing IF the justice system was fixed. Look at the Duke lacrosse team. Nagin ended up losing his law license because he wanted to win a election mostly. He went overboard because it was an election year, in my opinion. So imagine if it was people who didn't have money. Flimsy evidence can still get someone convicted. If we were really sure the person committed the crime and actually had a FAIR trial then I'd be all for executing are an appeal. If the trials were fair then it could be done that way.

Answer 4

I'll say Songbyrd hit it on the nail. Good to see that some prosecutors actually care about justice and do realize that some innocent people are convicted.

Answer 5

Gee, let me see. More than 18 inmates on death row were exonerated by dna, and dozens more across the county. If we rush to kill them, as you wish, then most of those freed, would now be dead, all that could be said is, "Sorry." Justice is not served by killing innocent people.

Answer 6

Executing an innocent person would negate everything our justice system is attempting to accomplish.