What Do You Think Of The Death Penalty?

Question

I am begining to question my thoughts on this topic. I suppose I understand how the pros and cons work but right now after answering a question regarding the excuse of "psychological disorders" it brings to mind tragic events that seem to be handed over in the hands of the criminal, and it just seems to keep happening.

My point is this. The man who was caught and taken into custody for the brutal slaying and be-heading of the 22 yr old man on the Greyhound bus here in Canada was suggested into "psychological assessment". Fair. Its obvious that anyone with the capability to do something so cruel to another human being has an obvious "psychological" problem. But how does this person even have the right to claim psychological illness? In the end, it all comes down to him doing it. Regardless of his sick illness, he did it. He brutally slayed a man he didnt know, on a bus infront of people, be-headed him and walked around with the head in his hand to show it off !!!! This is outrageous....this man should be hung for the world to see as far as Iam concerned. He should have no right to appeal or claim anything. Regardless he is the criminal....he is a brutal murderer and his "diagnoses" isnt going to change anything. But what if it does? As it has in the past? Ive heard this one to many times "Its not his fault he is psychologically ill, he has rights and we must protect them". *grrr*

Iam feeling like criminals have too many rights and maybe thats REALLY my question. Is it not fair to say that if its proven intentional murder with the intent to kill and if one takes a life they should have no right to a life themsevles? Is this too harsh? What do you think?

In the end, how do you feel about the death penalty? Do you think it should exist? Do you think it would change some things durastically? Iam really interested to hear your input.

Thanks in advance : 0)

Answer 1

My father was murdered.

I  personally think the person is better off rotting in jail.

Death would be too sweet

In jail they have nothing but time to think about what they did and

know how wrong it was and not be able to do anything about it.

  

Answer 2

Well, there are many people with "psychological disorders"  who don't rape or murder innocent people.  With cases like raping and murdering a child, yes-these "things" (I don't want to say humans, because they are not.  I don't think we should call them animals, because animals should not be insulted that way) should die.  The fact that they die in a humane way should be enough for these so called human rights activists. Wait until one of their little girls gets raped and murdered-I wonder how quick they would change their mind.

Answer 3

It may help clarify your thinking to look at the list of countries which still have the death penalty and use it.  Wikipedia says: Among countries around the world, almost all European and many Pacific Area states (including Australia, New Zealand and Timor Leste), and Canada have abolished capital punishment. In Latin America, most states have completely abolished the use of capital punishment, while some countries, such as Brazil, allow for capital punishment only in exceptional situations, such as treason committed during wartime. The United States (the federal government and 36 of the states), Guatemala, most of the Caribbean and the majority of democracies in Asia (e.g. Japan and India) and Africa (e.g. Botswana and Zambia) retain it. South Africa, which is probably the most developed African nation, and which has been a democracy since 1994, does not have the death penalty. This fact is currently quite controversial in that country, due to the high levels of violent crime, including murder and rape.[2]

Capital punishment is a contentious issue in some cultures. Supporters of capital punishment argue that it deters crime, prevents recidivism, that it is less expensive than life imprisonment[3] and is an appropriate form of punishment for some crimes. Opponents of capital punishment argue that it has led to the execution of wrongfully convicted, that it discriminates against minorities and the poor, that it does not deter criminals more than life imprisonment, that it encourages a "culture of violence", that it is more expensive than life imprisonment[3], and that it violates human rights.

The latest countries to abolish the death penalty de facto for all crimes were Gabon, which announced on September 14, 2007 that they would no longer apply capital punishment[4] and South Korea in practice on December 31, 2007 after ten years of disuse. The latest to abolish executions de jure was Uzbekistan on January 1, 2008.

Answer 4

Whenever a heinous crime like this happens, it is natural to feel outrage and to want to take the most extreme steps possible.

However, the death penalty has never been a good option in practice.

I supported capital punishment for a long time, but I have changed my stance over the years, for several reasons:

1. By far the most compelling is this: Sometimes the legal system gets it wrong. In the last 30 years in the U.S. alone, over 100 people have been released from death row because they were exonerated by DNA evidence. Unfortunately, DNA evidence is not available in most cases. No matter how rare it is, the government should not risk executing one single innocent person.

Really, that should be reason enough for most people. If you need more, read on:

2. Because of higher pre-trial expenses, longer trials, extra expenses associated with prosecuting a DP case, and the appeals process (which is necessary - see reason #1), it costs taxpayers MUCH more to execute prisoners than to imprison them for life.

3. The deterrent effect is questionable at best. Violent crime rates are actually higher in death penalty jurisdictions. This may seem counterintuitive, and there are many theories about why this is (Ted Bundy saw it as a challenge, so he chose Florida – the most active execution state at the time – to carry out his final murder spree). Personally, I think it has to do with the hypocrisy of taking a stand against murder…by killing people. The government becomes the bad parent who says, ‘do as I say, not as I do.’

4. There’s also an argument to be made that death is too good for the worst criminals. Let them wake up and go to bed every day of their lives in a prison cell, and think about the freedom they DON’T have, until they rot of old age. When Ted Bundy was finally arrested in 1978, he told the police officer, “I wish you had killed me.”  Khalid Shaikh Mohammed (the architect of the 9/11 attacks) would love nothing better than to be put to death.  In his words, "I have been looking to be a martyr [for a] long time."

5. Most governments are supposed to be secular, but for those who invoke Christian law in this debate, you can find arguments both for AND against the death penalty in the Bible. For example, Matthew 5:38-39 insists that violence shall not beget violence. James 4:12 says that God is the only one who can take a life in the name of justice. Leviticus 19:18 warns against vengeance (which, really, is what the death penalty amounts to). In John 8:7, Jesus himself says, "let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

Answer 5

I believe in the Death Penalty ( i live in the US)   My thoughts are if there is concrete evidence that you committed murder you should get the death penalty. If you murder a child (and there is concrete evidence like DNA) you shouldn't be able to have 10 -20 years to appeal your case you should get to the front of the line and be executed in 2-3 months not 20 years.  

Answer 6

Against it.  When you look at the death penalty system in action in the US, you realize that the only purpose it serves is retribution or revenge and that there is a serious and continuing risk of executing innocent people.

129 people on death rows have been released with proof that they were wrongfully convicted. DNA, available in less than 10% of all homicides, can’t guarantee we won’t execute innocent people.

The death penalty doesn't prevent others from committing murder. No reliable study shows the death penalty deters others. Homicide rates are higher in states and regions that have it than in those that don’t.

Life without parole, on the books in 48 states, also prevents  reoffending. It means what it says, and spending 23 of 24 hours a day locked in a tiny cell is not a picnic. Life without parole costs less than the death penalty.

The death penalty is much more expensive than life in prison, mostly because of the upfront costs of legal process which is supposed to prevent executions of innocent people. (upfront=before and during the initial trial)

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 have testified 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. Speed up the process and we will execute innocent people.

Sources:

Death Penalty Information Center, www.deathpenaltyinfo.org,  for stats on executions, reports on costs, deterrence studies, links to FBI crime stats and links to testimony (at state legislatures) of victims' family members.

FBI   http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/cius2006/data/tab...  

The Innocence Project, www.innocenceproject.org

http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/COcostte... page 3 and 4 on why the death penalty is so expensive

http://www.njadp.org/forms/signon-surviv... for statements of victims’ families

Answer 7

When someone commits a heinous crime for whatever reason, justice must be upheld. A lot of people has schitzophrenia, been molested, lived on the wrong side of the tracks...but never maim, rape, torture, and kill. And when you end up being considered mentally incompetent, chances are, ya may go free to live amongst more victims. Those on death row still have the pleasures of eating and masterbating. I say, "Off with their heads!". That way, the next guy..or girl may think twice.