Citations

"Crimes Punishable by the Death Penalty." Death Penalty Information Center.
     Death Penalty Information Center, 2010. Web. 12 Oct. 2010.
     http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/crimes-punishable-death-penalty.

Dieter, Richard C. "The Death Penalty in Black and White: Who Lives, Who Dies,
     Who Decides." Death Penalty Information Center. Death Penalty Information
     Center, 2010. Web. 5 Oct. 2010. <http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/
     death-penalty-black-and-white-who-lives-who-dies-who-decides#The%20Raw%20Data>.

"History of the Death Penalty." Death Penalty Information Center. Death Penalty
     Information Center, 2010. Web. 13 Oct. 2010.
     http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/part-i-history-death-penalty.

"Is the Death Penalty more costly than life in prison?" YahooAnswers. Yahoo,
     2007. Web. 26 Oct. 2010. <http://answers.yahoo.com/question/
     index?qid=20080427201004AAMBQUv>.

"Offenders on Death Row." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. N.p., 27 Sept.
     2010. Web. 7 Oct. 2010. <http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/
     offendersondrow.htm>.

"What does the Bible say about the Death Penalty." gotquestions.org. Got
     Questions Ministries, 2002-2010. Web. 13 Oct. 2010.
     <http://www.gotquestions.org/death-penalty.html>.

Capital Punishment

            The death penalty is a necessity for the criminal-filled world we live in. There are currently thirty-five states, including Illinois, which obtain capital punishment. Of course not all states actively use the death penalty even though they have not abolished it. Someone who takes another’s life should not be saved from their own death because the victim was not given mercy by them. It is true; a murderer would have to spend their entire life ‘rotting’ in prison reflecting and imagining back to what they did, and how they regret it. However, they would also have an eternity in hell to regret their decision. I believe capital punishment, in general, is right. In this idea, I am not choosing death over life, but I believe that since the murderer broke the law they should not be given another chance. As the old saying goes, "You only get one chance to make a first impression."

            First of all, the idea of punishment by death started thousands of years ago. The first established death penalty laws date as far back as the Eighteenth Century B.C. in the Code of King Hammurabi of Babylon, which codified the death penalty for twenty-five different crimes. The death penalty was also part of the Fourteenth Century B.C.'s Hittite Code; in the Seventh Century B.C.'s Draconian Code of Athens, which made death the only punishment for all crimes; and in the Fifth Century B.C.'s Roman Law of the Twelve Tablets (History of the Death Penalty). This long history of the death penalty means that all societies throughout times felt necessary to punish people severely for severe crimes. Why would anyone put themselves in danger of the death penalty if the law is clearly stated? It sets an example to show society that there are extreme consequences to criminal actions. The death penalty has been around for so long and I do not see why some states feel they need to bend the laws for murderers. I see the states who have abolished capital punishment, weak.

            Again, methods for the death penalty were very different a long time ago. In the earliest stages, crucifixion, drowning, beating to death, burning alive, and impalement were used. In later centuries, methods like boiling, burning at the stake, beheading, and drawing and quartering were used. Today, capital punishment is a lot more humane than in previous centuries. The typical methods used today are lethal injection and electrocution, and sometimes the military still uses the firing squad (History of the Death Penalty). I believe that since the methods have become more reasonable and considerable that more people should believe in capital punishment as well. Few argue that people who believe in capital punishment are barbaric and inhumane. However, technology is advancing every year and in the future there might even be an even easier and less 'barbaric' way to take someones life.

            To continue, most people believe that the death penalty goes against the bibles beliefs and the beliefs of God. Actually, it is stated in the Old Testament that God is the One who instituted capital punishment: “Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man” from Genesis 9:6 (gotquestions.org). A lot of religious people disagree with capital punishment but I believe that if this was a well known verse more people would understand that capital punishment is not going against their God, it more or less believes in His thoughts and what He believes is right. I would assume more people would change their opinion about the death penalty with this fact alone. However, a lot of people believe it is just morally wrong or goes against their morals. I would have to say if you or a loved one was raped or murdered, I would hope that you would never want that person to ever be released out of prison, and the only way to ensure that is the death penalty. Prisoners are being released on the account to 'good behavior' all the time. Sometimes even reducing sentences by half. The only way to prevent this from happening is by using capital punishment. 

            Also, it is said that keeping a person alive in prison for their entire life is more expensive to tax payers than it is to kill them by lethal injection or electrocution. Most people believe vice versa. Some who would oppose my belief would say that execution actually costs almost two million dollars per inmate versus the five hundred thousand dollars per inmate for life in prison. However, that is factually incorrect because life without parole prisoner’s face, on average, 30 or 40 years in prison while the annual cost of incarceration is forty thousand to fifty thousand dollars a year for each prisoner. There is no question that the up front costs of the death penalty are significantly higher than life without parole cases. There also appears to be no question that, over time, life without parole cases are much more expensive (from 1.2 to 3.6 million dollars) than death penalty cases. Opponents ludicrously claim that the death penalty costs, over time, three to ten times more than life without parole. So in the end, the death penalty is the least expensive option. What blows my mind is people who do not believe in putting someone to death who killed someone else, wants to pay more for them to remain living.

            As of now, the death penalty is controlled by state governments, and currently there are thirty-five states that approve of capital punishment. Most states would agree the crime of first degree murder accompanied by aggravated factors would be more than enough to qualify an assailant to receive the death penalty.  Aggravated factors would include matters of torture, attempting to escape a felony, the murderer was given something of value for the crime, and many more depending on the state laws. Different states, however, have different qualifications. In Montana, if you have sexual intercourse with a person without their consent, you are also eligible for capital punishment. I do believe that a murderer and a rapist are sick people and no form of rehabilitation, psychology, or prescriptions can help them from having actions like these reoccur. I feel that once they have experienced the taste of murder, there is no way of going back from that, and there are no second chances. I know that if I were to have a daughter one day, and she were to be raped, I would have no feelings of remorse towards the man who did it. I would hope that he would be sentenced to death for the amount of painful memories she will always have for the rest of her life.

            On another note, Texas is one of the most well known states that have the death penalty. A prisoner could be sentenced to death row, and be in prison for decades without being killed. So, if a person feels morally against the death penalty, you could know that even though they have been sentenced to death row, it may take a very long time for them to even receive it. Given this, any person will have enough time to think about why it is reasonable for the criminal to be given the death penalty. Right now, Texas has hundreds of murderers, rapists, and convicts on death row and they all have been there for quite some time (Texas Department of Criminal Justice). However, I am sure they have the intentions of getting around to all of them at some point.

            Moreover, the death penalty is thought to have many holes in its system. Some may believe that more African American people will be punished by death, rather than white people on trial. There are graphs showing African American people who kill white men are more likely to acquire the death penalty and a white man who kills a African American man is less likely to get the death penalty (The Death Penalty in Black and White: Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Decides). This may be true, but then again, these crimes could have been hate crimes. I personally believe that if you commit a crime heinous enough to receive the death penalty, color has no matter in the consequence. On the other hand, I do believe the degree of the assailants crime is the one and only thing that condemns him or her. You also have to consider the factor that it may be true that African American men may cause more murder related crimes than white men.

            To bring to a close, I suggest to all of those who do not believe in capital punishment to do your own research, and to ask yourself after learning the facts, do you still believe capital punishment is wrong? You might end up contradicting yourself. My research claims that capital punishment is beneficial to our society. In more detail, it is taking perpetrators off the street and never letting them go back. God was the One who essentially created the death penalty and capital punishment has been successful for centuries and centuries, I would not expect it to end anytime soon. It lets our country know that there are consequences for deceitful actions and that second chances are not an option. It sets an example to others who think they can get away with something, and it may actually prevent murders from happening in the future. Anyone can conduct a giant list of pros and cons to capital punishment, but I will always believe that capital punishment is for the good of humanity.  

           

Journal 4

I believe that capital punishment is a necessity for the United States. People who kill others should not be shown mercy by the government because their victim was not shown any mercy by them. Every day people die from homicides and it is only the lucky ones [felons] who do not get to suffer the consequence of punishment by death. I feel like if you give someone a life sentence in prison, you are just giving them options. They have the option to make friends in prison, they can still talk to other people, they still get yard time, and enough food. They are basically bums and we, as the tax payers, are paying for it. I judge that if you murder someone, your rights are automatically taken away. You do not get options. The murderer should receive the same treatment he/she gave to their victim. I grew up remembering the golden rule: Do unto others as they would do unto you. That is how it should always be.

Does the Death Penalty Go Against the Bible?

Citation: "What does the Bible say about the Death Penalty." gotquestions.org. Got
     Questions Ministries, 2002-2010. Web. 13 Oct. 2010.
     http://www.gotquestions.org/death-penalty.html.

In this article, it talks about if the death penalty is against the bible or not. Surprisingly, it is not. The article states that the Old Testament law commanded the death penalty for various acts of crime and they also provide proof. With each crime they believe is punishable by death, they give the verse from the bible that proves it. However, God did show mercy on a few victims. The article shows that killing someone, who killed someone else is, nonetheless, the bibles idea. God is the One who instituted capital punishment: “Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man” (Genesis 9:6). It is true that most religious people do not believe in the death penalty, but if it were God's perspective and it was preached and well-known, I assume most would change their opinions. I will use this information to show that the bible shares and proves my thoughts and opinions on capital punishment.

History Anyone?

Citation: "History of the Death Penalty." Death Penalty Information Center. Death Penalty
     Information Center, 2010. Web. 13 Oct. 2010.
     http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/part-i-history-death-penalty.

This article overviews the history of the creation of the death penalty. It describes different methods that different countries in many time frames used. It is almost fascinating to know that capital punishment has been around for thousands of years. Starting as far back as the Eighteenth Century B.C. and still continuing today. Since this tradition has been going for so long, it only means that it is successful and necessary. Today, however, execution is more humane. In the earliest stages, methods like crucifixion, drowning, beating to death, burning alive, and impalement were used. In later centuries, methods like boiling, burning at the stake, beheading, and drawing and quartering were used. This very useful information can promote the fact that since capital punishment has been around for so long, it is necessary to keep.

What Do The States Believe?

Citation: "Crimes Punishable by the Death Penalty." Death Penalty Information Center.
     Death Penalty Information Center, 2010. Web. 12 Oct. 2010.
     http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/crimes-punishable-death-penalty.

This website describes all the different states in the United States and their position on the topic of what crimes they believe are punishable by death. Most states believe that first degree murder accompanied with aggravated factors is the main reason to why someone would receive capital punishment. Aggravated factors would include matters of torture, attempting to escape a felony, the murderer was given something of value for the crime, and many more depending on the state laws. On another hand, Montana believes along with first degree murder, if you rape someone that you are eligible for capital punishment. This information would be useful to show all the states have different but yet similar beliefs in capital punishment.

On Texas Death Row

Citation:"Offenders on Death Row." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. N.p., 27 Sept.
     2010. Web. 7 Oct. 2010. <http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/
     offendersondrow.htm>.

                              
On 10/04/2001 in Mesquite, Stroman murdered                        On 2/4/2000 in San Antonio, Weathers entered
  a 49 year old Middle Eastern male convenience                      a bar and demanded money from the adult a bar
store employee during an attempted robbery.                           and demanded money from the adult. The bartender
                                                                                      refused and Weathers shot him, resulting in his death.



On 02/17/2007 in Harlingen, Texas, EMT
 found victim not breathing and with no vital
signs. While EMT personnel attempted to care
 for the child, they cut off the victim's shirt and
 found purple and green bruises on her entire torso,
head, face and right shoulder. The subject was
arrested and transported to the Cameron County Jail.


This site provides me with information about all offenders on death row in Texas. If you will go through a few of the offenders, you can see that all of them were murderers. They either killed their children, strangers, co-workers, spouses, and bartenders. All of these people took someones lives. I believe they should receive the same curtousy they gave to their victims. The pictures above are just a few examples of people on death row and what they did to receive capital punishment. It is overwhelming to see how many people are actually on death row in Texas alone, yet it is somewhat relieving. The chart on the website will provide you with the offenders name, birthdate, gender, date of offense, the offense, and the date they were given the death penalty. I will use this information to show that people who are given the death penalty are the ones who truly deserve it, murderers.
 

Is the Death Penalty for You?

Take this poll and see if you are for or against Capital Punishment!

http://ethics.sandiego.edu/ActiveWebSurvey/Applied/004_DeathPenalty.asp


Citation: Ethics Updates - Ethics Surveys:The Death Penalty
http://ethics.sandiego.edu/ActiveWebSurvey/Applied/004_DeathPenalty.asp - 8/3/2007

Death Penalty Polls and Graphs

Citation:"Quick Poll Results on the Death Penalty." Smartgirl-Survey Archives. SmartGirl
     tm, n.d. Web. 6 Oct. 2010. <http://www.smartgirl.org/speakout/archives/
     deathpenalty/resultdeathpenalty.html>.

In this website, you will see different polls on the death penalty. The one depicted above was asked to over 900 people from the ages 8-50. As you can see, most people say that the death penalty depends on the crime that is committed. I believe that as well. If the crime is heinous enough, there should be no doubt that the government or a jury would object to using capital punishment. I will use this information to show that most people agree with my thesis.

Color and the Consequences

Citation: Dieter, Richard C. "The Death Penalty in Black and White: Who Lives, Who Dies,
     Who Decides." Death Penalty Information Center. Death Penalty Information
     Center, 2010. Web. 5 Oct. 2010. <http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/
     death-penalty-black-and-white-who-lives-who-dies-who-decides#The%20Raw%20Data>.

This graph represents who is most likely to receive the death penalty depending on the race of the victim and the race of the defendant. Yes, most people could say that the death penalty has an effect on people of different skin color, but they do not say what the degree of their crime was. The murders in this graph could have been hate crimes. It basically describes that a nonblack defendant that kills a black victim is less likely to be given the death penalty, and a nonblack victim and black defendant is more likely to receive the death penalty. I believe the degree of the assailants crime should be the only thing that could effect the degree of their punishment. I will use this information to show that race has an effect in the decision making of a defendant who could receive the death penalty.