What's your take on New Jersey and their abolishment of capital punishment?

Question

I think it's absolutely necessary to have the death penatly regardless of the cost. I'd rather pay more for a murderer's execution than pay less to keep him alive and playing basketball/working out in prison. :) SO please, no arguments that are in favor of abolishing capital punishment because of the cost. Thanks.

Answer 1

New Jersey did the right thing and in the right way. It instituted a year long study commission before taking up an abolition bill. Among the many witnesses before the commission were families of murder victims who do not support the death penalty. I have given a link to the commission report, below.

You don't have to sympathize with criminals or want them to avoid a terrible punishment to ask if the death penalty prevents or even reduces crime and to think about the risks of executing innocent people. Your question is much too important to settle without thinking about these.

125 people on death rows have been released with proof that they were wrongfully convicted. 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 those 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.

The death penalty costs much more than life in prison, mostly because of the legal process which is supposed to prevent executions of innocent people.

The death penalty isn't reserved for the worst crimes, but for defendants with the worst lawyers. It doesn't apply to people with money. 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

Well, I don't think cost should ever come into it. We are too quick in this society to let the price of something affect a decision instead of the facts - even if it is life or death. Think about all the things insurance denies because they think it's too much money.

So, that aside I am a little ambivilent about the death penalty. I can understand the idea of it. If someone hurt my nieces or nephew, it wouldn't be the judge they would have to worry about. Yet, I know that solves nothing.

On the other hand, I do not think it is a deterrent. If it were, I would think murder would be much lower than it is. I am also greatly bothered, angered, frustrated with how some are deemed death penalty "worthy." A few years ago the Village Voice did an article about the death penalty. One story cited a case where the murderer was a gay man. The judge sentenced him to death because the judge felt prison would only be a vacation for a gay man. I don't even know where to start on the ludicrousness of that statement not to mention the prejudice behind it. I am also bothered by all of the sentences that have been overturned due to DNA. Putting even one innocent person to death is too many.

I guess when it comes down to it, I do find it a troubling way to punish someone. Killing is wrong, and to prove it, I am going to kill you? It just seems like we have advanced so much as humans that I would think we would have evolved beyond this. And when I heard NJ did ablish the death penalty, my first thought was, "Oh good." I guess that tells me where I'm at these days on it.

Answer 3

Okay, why not abolish it because over 200 people sitting on death row ready to die were cleared by DNA evidence?

Why not abolish it because states that don't have (or don't use) the death penalty have the lowest murder rates? It does not deter crime.

Why not abolish it since New Jersey has not executed anyone since it became legal again in 1976?

See http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/FactSheet.pdf

Rica82 makes the cost argument (even after you asked people not to) "I'm in favor of capital punishment because it costs more to keep them alive than to kill them." and is incorrect. A quick read of the link I provided above will show life in prison cost less.

I must also agree with what several other people have said, this should not be a question of cost regardless.

Answer 4

A society that calls itself civilized has no room for the death penalty. And I'm not soft on crime or the people that commit it. Anyone who advocates the death penalty should visit any of the numerous capital punishment websites. Read the graphic descriptions of the various types of capital punishment and the effects on the person being executed. In fact, do that while you're having a meal! Replace capital punishment with life in prison with no chance of parole. To expensive? Well, there's a price to be paid for a society to call itself civilized! .

Answer 5

I'm in favor of capital punishment because it costs more to keep them alive than to kill them. As a New Jersey Resident, taxes are crazy high....why should we pay for these killers (who knew the consequences before killing someone) to stay alive? I think Corzine made a bad decision especially when he's trying to raise the toll prices. Already raised our taxes and now wants us to continue dishing out funds for these people to stay alive. I personally think the families of these killers should pay their way then. Why should we pay their way? We didn't kill anyone, they did.

And yes, money is a factor. People who commit crimes know the possible consequences of the crimes they are committing. If they chose to move forward and do what they want, then they should be punished. Do you think it's fair for someone to get to live a long healthy life after murdering someone? deserving it or not?

Answer 6

Anyone you know less deterred from murdering today then yesterday in NJ?

Me either.

If your biggest concern is about the costs of keeping people alive, then kill everyone at birth - it is very cheap that way.

Otherwise leave the deep, important rational thinking to others.

Answer 7

Jesse Timmendequas and scum of the like are the reason we need it. He will now suck taxpayers out of over 40k per year, get three squares and be allowed to live out his life. What about Megan?????? What about her????? I'm sure she'd be thrilled to be pardoned from her demise like that idiot. I can only hope, that for the rest of his time, he is raped and beaten daily, only wishing that NJ put him to death.

Answer 8

Why kill people to show that killing people is wrong?