Capital Punishment Essay, Research Paper

We must insure that innocent people, such as Marshall and Millgard, are never convicted or sentenced to death for a crime that they did not commit. There have been many innocent people convicted and executed for capital crimes, and many more that have never been discovered. And here lies an obvious danger of capital punishment: when we execute an innocent person; the real killer is still on the streets, ready to victimize someone else. When an innocent person is arrested, he is often the driving reason behind further investigation, and if he is executed, then the case remains closed forever. At least, until someone else gets killed by the real perpetrator.

Imposing the death penalty is expensive and time consuming. A study by the NY State Defenders Association showed that the cost of a capital trial alone is more than double the cost of life imprisonment. In the late 80?s, the Kansas legislature voted against re-establishing the death penalty after it was informed that reintroduction would involve a multi-million dollar first-year cost. Also, the Miami Herald reported that Florida, with one of the nation’s largest death rows, has estimated that the true cost of each execution is approximately $3.2 million, or approximately six times the cost of a life-imprisonment sentence.

There is also the issue of Capital Punishment being a deterrent. But does the death penalty really deter crime? Supporters of Capital Punishment want you to believe it does, but in actuality, it does not deter crime at all. For example, the US is the only Western nation that still allows the death penalty, and we also have one of the highest crime rates. During the 1980s, murder was actually more common in states that used the death penalty. Also, in a nationwide survey of police chiefs and sheriffs, capital punishment was ranked last as a way of reducing violent crime. Therefore, the idea behind trying to deter crime using Capital Punishment is unsound. Do murderers make a pro/con list before doing away with their victim?

There is also the aspect of religion playing a factor in the Capital Punishment debate. Many people point to the passage in Leviticus of the Christian Bible, which states that an eye for an eye is God’s decree. However, Jesus Christ throws out these Old Testament laws. This is what Jesus said: “You have heard that it was said, ?Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” (Matthew 5:38-41 NIV) In the Bible, there is a scene when ?the teachers of the law? brought a prostitute before Jesus, and challenged: ?In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?? (John 8:5 NIV). He answered them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.? (John 8:7 NIV) Christ taught a doctrine of peace, love, and forgiveness; not revenge, retribution, and death. If the people in this world, whether or not they believe in Jesus Christ and God, practiced His teachings, life would be much more pleasant.

We must insure that innocent people, such as Marshall and Millgard, are never convicted or sentenced to death for a crime that they did not commit. There have been many innocent people convicted and executed for capital crimes, and many more that have never been discovered. And here lies an obvious danger of capital punishment: when we execute an innocent person; the real killer is still on the streets, ready to victimize someone else. When an innocent person is arrested, he is often the driving reason behind further investigation, and if he is executed, then the case remains closed forever. At least, until someone else gets killed by the real perpetrator.

Imposing the death penalty is expensive and time consuming. A study by the NY State Defenders Association showed that the cost of a capital trial alone is more than double the cost of life imprisonment. In the late 80?s, the Kansas legislature voted against re-establishing the death penalty after it was informed that reintroduction would involve a multi-million dollar first-year cost. Also, the Miami Herald reported that Florida, with one of the nation’s largest death rows, has estimated that the true cost of each execution is approximately $3.2 million, or approximately six times the cost of a life-imprisonment sentence.

There is also the issue of Capital Punishment being a deterrent. But does the death penalty really deter crime? Supporters of Capital Punishment want you to believe it does, but in actuality, it does not deter crime at all. For example, the US is the only Western nation that still allows the death penalty, and we also have one of the highest crime rates. During the 1980s, murder was actually more common in states that used the death penalty. Also, in a nationwide survey of police chiefs and sheriffs, capital punishment was ranked last as a way of reducing violent crime. Therefore, the idea behind trying to deter crime using Capital Punishment is unsound. Do murderers make a pro/con list before doing away with their victim?

There is also the aspect of religion playing a factor in the Capital Punishment debate. Many people point to the passage in Leviticus of the Christian Bible, which states that an eye for an eye is God’s decree. However, Jesus Christ throws out these Old Testament laws. This is what Jesus said: “You have heard that it was said, ?Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” (Matthew 5:38-41 NIV) In the Bible, there is a scene when ?the teachers of the law? brought a prostitute before Jesus, and challenged: ?In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?? (John 8:5 NIV). He answered them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.? (John 8:7 NIV) Christ taught a doctrine of peace, love, and forgiveness; not revenge, retribution, and death. If the people in this world, whether or not they believe in Jesus Christ and God, practiced His teachings, life would be much more pleasant.