Death Penalty States example essay topic

During the 1980's, a man (named Willie Darden) was convicted, sentenced to death, and executed for the murder of aman that he never killed. (Execution 3). My question to you is, where is the love and justice in our society? Justice Harry Blackman was quoted as saying, the execution of a person who can show that he is innocent come perilously close to simple murder (Execution 3). I don t see any right or justification in killing another human being, whether he is innocent or guilty.

When a society is bent on the sinful acts of murder and revenge, it has lost it's grip on the value of human life and has paved a golden path leading directly to Hell. When Jesus Christ walked the Earth, he preached a message of love, peace, forgiveness, not revenge, retribution, and death. Capital punishment is not only immoral, it is very costly, doesn t hinder the murder rate, has caused the death and near death of many people. Millions of dollars are wasted each year on a system that is unfair to many and doesn t impose any major impact on criminal activity. In order to make a terrible wrong right and cleanse our hands, we must abolish the death penalty by all means. Capital punishment is defined as the legal infliction ofthe death penalty; in modern law, corporal punishment in its most severe form.

It was administered in many ways such as crucifixion, boiling in oil, drawing and quartering, impalement, beheading, burning alive, crushing, tearing asunder, the torture rack, stoning, and drowning; In the U.S., There are five ways in which it is practiced, they are electrocution, the gas chamber, firing squad, and lethal injection (Encarta 98). The death penalty dates back as far as 1750 BC and was used as a form of punishment in ancient Greece for every offense (Encarta 98). Capital punishment has been practiced by several countries throughout history; By 1800, England had recorded 200 capital crimes and sentenced more than 1000 people to death each year (Encarta 98). American colonies often imposed the death penalty for numerous crimes, before the Revolutionary War, and used it to threaten blacks for crimes that were less punishable when committed by whites (Encarta 98). Near the end of the 18th century, numerous reform movements began to gain momentum (Encarta 98). Many groups and philosophers inspired others to see the wrong in capitalpunishment and during the 19th century, several states in the US (led by Michigan in 1847) and a few countries did away with thedeath penalty. ; although the death penalty is in use today, in 1970 the Supreme Court made ruling that declared capitalpunishment unconstitutional (Encyclopedia Britannica 831).

Since the decision in 1970, the Supreme Court has made several others (Encarta 98). One gave the states guidance to determine if and which crimes would carry a death sentence. Separate from certain crimes, in which the court didn t make any decision, it limited the death penalty to murders only (Encarta 98). After a decision 1972, thirty-eight states changed and reenacted their laws for capital punishment; after justices upheld some of them in 1976, more than 150 executions were held (Encarta 98). During the 1980's and early 90's, the Court lowered standards for executions, including applying the death penalty to accomplices in homicides, mentally retarded people, minors (atleast age 16), . and planned to limit appeals to Death Row inmates (Encarta 98). One of the biggest arguments over the death penalty is the high price tag that it carries.

According to a New York study, the death penalty's cost was estimated to be three times that oflife imprisonment; this is a ongoing problem in Texas. (Case 48). In Florida, the price tag for on each execution is $3,200,000; thesis six times the cost of life imprisonment (Case 48). Also, the state of California could pocket approximately $90,000,000 year if the state was to abolish the capital punishment andre-sentence all of their death row inmates to life imprisonment (Case 48). A study by the New York State Defenders Association concluded, from its studies of capital trials for the years of 1979-1984, that death penalty cases cost almost 42% more thana case not ending in death; the state of Kansas, voted against reinstating the death penalty after learning that it's first year cost would be more than $11,000,000 (Pragmatic).

People that support capital punishment claim that eliminating all those endless appeals will reduce the cost of executions, but it is a proven fact that the cost of life imprisonment is still a cheaper and safer option. Most of the extra money for capital punishment are imposed before and during trial proceedings, not during the post conviction process (Case 48). Trials are more common in capital cases, because there is nothing to gain through plea bargaining; also, there is two separate stages, unlike other trials, that are usually begin after special motions and extra questioning of jurors during the selection process. (Case 48) Since neglecting these steps could cause decision to be reversed, capital cases require more investigation than others, and up to 50% of death verdicts are reversed afterwards, we the people are charged a bundle of loot before and during capital trials and then charged to accommodate the prisoner until he kicks the bucket or foot the bill for a retrial (Case 49). Thus, ending the endless appeals won t solve the money problem; trial expenses would still outweigh the cost oflife imprisonment. Since we re talking about prices, what is the price for human life?

Lionel Torres Herrera was convicted of killing two police officers and sentenced to death. Years later, an attorney that represented his brother brought forth evidence indicating that Herrera's brother had confessed to the murders along with Herrera's nephew (an eye witness) who saw his father murder the officers. Since Texas law had given a time period for new evidence, Herrera's conviction was upheld and the Supreme Court upheld the decision too. Retired Supreme Court Justice William Douglas wrote A judge who denies a man a stay of execution ina capital case often wonders if an innocent man is going to his death (Execution 3). Also, there are numerous people that have been falsely convicted of capital crimes in the United States; among which was the famous case of Randall Dale Adams, who spent twelve years on Death Row before proving his innocence. man named Walter Mc Million was convicted as a result of perjured testimony and by the grace of God saved after a volunteer lawyer flipped over the tape containing a key witness testimony and found conversations of the witness complaining of being pressured by the prosecuting attorney (Execution 1). Role Coleman was executed after Virginia state courts declined to hear evidence of his innocence (Execution 2); Through a nationwide study 416 similar cases involving innocent Americans that were sentenced to death have been documented stemming back to 1900 (Execution 2).

Ther good Marshall plainly stated Proving one's innocence after a jury finding the guilt is almost impossible (Execution 2). After a person is found convicted and killed, the reis no way to make amends for the death of an innocent man. There isn t enough remorse, apologies, or money to replace the life of a human being. As long as the death penalty is in forced, this is a mistake that cannot be avoided; there will only be more suffering and bloodshed. Although there wasn t anything said ont his matter about those who favor capital punishment, I am sure that any person with a conscious can see why the death penalty should be abolished. A nationwide survey states that the death of an innocent man is the number one fear of Americans (Execution 1).

The Eighth Amendment to the Constitution states that no one would face cruel and unusual punishments; these laws not only applies to the federal government, but to the states as well and judging by our methods of execution I believe that they are all sick (Capital 31)! The largest reason to abolish capital punishment forme, is the word of the lord. Many individuals state that the Bible gave the right of capital punishment to man through a passage in Leviticus which an eye for an eye is God's decree. Usually they quote from the book of Exodus that says, Anyone who strikes aman and so causes death, must die. If he has not lain in wait for him but God has delivered him into his hands, then I will appoint you a place where he may seek refuge.

But should a man dare to kill his fellow by treacherous intent, you must take him even from my alter to be put to death. Anyone who abducts a man-whether he has sold him or found in possession of him-must die. Anyone who curses father or mother must die (Exodus 21: 12-17). also quoted, but she should she die, you shall give life for life, eye, for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stroke for stroke (Exodus 21: 23-25). The verses from Exodus weren t meant to give us the right to kill; they were used to set limits and to make sure that payment did not exceed the debt actually owed. However, the saying in Leviticus was overturned by Jesus Christ, as were many other laws of the Old Testament. Jesus once said, You have heard that it was said, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

But I say unto you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give him your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second (Matthew 5: 38-41). He also said, You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But Say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5: 43-44).

Also, there was the Fifth Commandment which says, Thou shalt not kill (Exodus 20: 19). The Lord also states that vengeance is his. I agree with Archbishop William Temple when he said, men should not assume those prerogatives that must be reserved to God (Death 26); He also said, Unless a man is wholly identified with evil, which only God can know him to be, it must be immoral and unjust to treat him as if he were (Death 27). The main purpose for the death penalty is to deter criminal activity. You might think that people are afraid to die, but criminals don t believe that they will be caught before they commit a crime.

There have been may studies of the effectiveness to capital punishment and they all show that thedeath penalty doesn t have any major impact in deterring crime. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 18 out of the 20 states having the largest number of murders employs the death penalty and their homicide rates haven t shown any great decreases in homicides. Between the years of 1975 and 1985, the number of police officers killed in the death penalty states nearly doubled that of states without it (Death 135). For almost two decades the number of homicides in the state of Indiana, which uses the death penalty, is very similar to that of Michigan who does not have a death sentence (Death 135). A popular set of studies conducted by Sellin Thorinstein, show the same results as the above statement and also stated that police officers in abolition states weren t in any more danger of being killed than those in death penalty states (Eye 23). States that have abolished the death penalty and later reinstated it didn t show any large decreases in the number of murders (Encarta 98).

Also, homicide rates didn t change in cities or states after local executions (Encarta 98). Another fact about the death penalty isth at it ranked last among law enforcement officials as a way to deter crime according to a nationwide survey (Pragmatic). John P. Conrad said, the beginning of deterrence as to any crime is the apprehension of offenders (Death 77). Also, in Harris County, Texas, (a county that accounts for 10% of all executions in the United States), presiding judge Myron Love stated, We are not getting what I think we should be wanting and that is to deter crime In fact, the result is the opposite. We re having more violence, more crime (Case 48). The death penalty may be viewed from several different standpoints; it may be from a biblical sense, a cost issue, or more importantly as a deterrent for crime.

Also, there are extreme consequences that come with capital punishment when an innocent life is taken; this is a problem that cannot be avoided and can t be fixed after it is done. Many people that favor thedeath penalty can t come up with a resolution to that problem. When an innocent person has proof that declares his innocence dies, we have disgraced that person, their family, and ourselves. The death penalty has been in force for centuries and hasn t proven itself as a deterrent for crime and it never will. Every firm believer in the Bible should examine themselves and the Bible and learn that the death penalty is a sin. Millions of dollars are wasted each year executing individuals in a gruesome act of revenge.

If we were to abolish the death penalty, we would save a ton of cash that could be used in a more productive way; we could use the money to hire more police, provide them with much needed equipment, build community centers for our young, put more into education, help the needy, and save lives. while supporters of the death penalty say that limiting appeals will help fix this problem, they are actually denying potentially innocent people a chance to prove their innocence. After reading this paper you should ask yourself a few questions. How much worth do you place on a human life? How much does the word of the lord mean to you? Also, how would you feel if you were wrongly imprisoned and about to be executed or if one of your loved ones were?

I believe in the alternative (life imprisonment) and after weighing out all of the facts you will too.