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Originally posted by budski
I think that in the world of dna evidence and other advanced methods of forensic evidence, that convictions are a lot safer.
If there was any doubt, forget the DP
The former migrant farm worker still marvels at how swiftly the courts can condemn someone --- usually a poor person --- to death.
Even though he was innocent, Melendez's conviction and death sentence were upheld on appeal three times by the Florida Supreme Court. Then in 2000, a long-forgotten transcript of a taped confession by the real killer was discovered in a box of legal papers.
Originally posted by djohnsto77
I'm much more concerned with making sure that innocent people don't get wrongfully convicted. I'm pro-death penalty, I just want to make sure no innocent person is ever executed.
Originally posted by djohnsto77
I'm much more concerned with making sure that innocent people don't get wrongfully convicted. I'm pro-death penalty, I just want to make sure no innocent person is ever executed.
Originally posted by budski
I know if I voted a man for death, I'd have questions about the psychological punishment aspects.
Common reasons in support of capital punishment
The Bible The Bible requires the death penalty for a wide variety of crimes, including sex before marriage, adultery, homosexual behavior, doing work on Saturday and murder. It even calls for some criminals (e.g. prostitutes who are the daughters of priests) to be tortured to death by being burned alive. Most Christians, with the exception of those in the Reconstructionist movement, feel that many of these grounds for the death penalty no longer apply to Christian societies. U.S. However, Bible passages are still used to promote the retention of capital punishment for murderers; some advocate that homosexuals also be executed.
Justice/Vengeance Many people feel that killing convicted murderers will satisfy their need for justice and/or vengeance. They feel that certain crimes are so heinous that executing the criminal is the only reasonable response.
Deterrence Many people feel that the death penalty will deter criminals from killing. This does not seem to be confirmed by an analysis of the available data. However, it feels intuitively correct for many people.
Value of human life: "It is by exacting the highest penalty for the taking of human life that we affirm the highest value of human life." (Edward Koch).
Cost: Once a convicted murder is executed and buried, there are no further maintenance costs to the state. This appears to be invalid; the cost to the state paying for multiple appeals is greater than the cost of imprisoning an inmate.
Public safety: Once a convicted murderer is executed, there is no chance that he will break out of jail and kill or injure someone.
Common reasons against capital punishment
Playing God: Executing a person kills him before the time of their natural death. Some Christians believe that God places people on Earth for a purpose. If we kill them prematurely, then we may be thwarting God's will.
Effect on society: Some feel that permitting premeditated murder is totally unacceptable, even if done by the state. Capital punishment lowers the value of human life as seen by the general population and brutalizes society. It is based on a need for revenge. It "violates our belief in the human capacity for change....[It] powerfully reinforces the idea that killing can be a proper way of responding to those who have wronged us. We do not believe that reinforcement of that idea can lead to healthier and safer communities."
Lack of Deterrence: The death penalty has not been shown to be effective in the reduction of the homicide rate. There are some indications that executions actually increase the murder rate.
Chance of Error: Many convicted murderers are later found innocent, and have been pardoned. It is impossible to pardon a corpse. In 1987, a study was published by the Stanford Law Review. They found some evidence that suggested that at least 350 people between 1900 and 1985 in America might have been innocent of the crime for which they were convicted, and could have been sentenced to death. 139 "were sentenced to death and as many as 23 were executed."
The family of the prisoner is victimized and punished by having their loved one murdered by the state. Yet the family is usually innocent of any crime.
SOURCE
Originally posted by ronishia
IMO i do agree with the death penalty to an extent, meaning that every case has to be looked at very carefully and judged individually. In the cases of such vile acts being committed and often on numerous occasions then imo the death penalty should be considered.
Originally posted by intrepid
This is the key point I'm trying to make. It's not on one conviction, though it could be depending on the case. It's NOT revenge I'm speaking about, it taking animals away from FURTHER victims. And then put them down, as animals.