Death Penalty

The death penalty.. Justified... or injust?

death penalty is harsh, yes it may scare other potential criminals from doing crimes, but my emotional side tells me that it is just too harsh

Explain how it is too harsh.

for the guy whos about to be killed by the capital punishment

Personally.. I could go either way. People who murder someone should receive the same treatment in return. Although it wouldn't be considered murder. Electric Chair is my vote.. go for it, let them suffer. BUT.. two wrongs don't make a right... right?

If you were to let the person live, then that person would be sitting in Jail for the rest of his/her life using tax-payers' money, doing nothing.

I am undecided as of yet. Anyone feel like trying to sway me to either side?

The only reason I am for the death penalty is because it will save tax payers money. However the main reason it was stopped in the UK is because some times not guilty people were sentanced to death.

1) Punishment should not be given based on emotion. A murderer should not be murdered in turn - what kind of message does that give? That it's ok to kill as long as you've got a good reason for it? The death penalty is considered murder by many people

2) Yes, it costs a lot to keep someone in jail. But it costs a lot to keep anyone in jail, from shoplifters to drug dealers to rapists to murderers. So do we kill them all to save money? No.

3) What if the person isn't guilty? There are more black people than white people on death row in America - by some ridiculous proportion like 5 to 1 (don't quote me on that). This isn't because they commit 5 times more murders, it's because they can't afford good enough lawyers. Do we want a system that encourages the killing of black people for no reason?

4) Killing another person is wrong, in any circumstance I can think of apart from self-defense. Revenge is not a good excuse. A system that allows the legal killing of humans is barbaric.

I have many more arguments, but I'll leave it at that for now. There is another thread about this somewhere, I'm sure...

The only reason I am for the death penalty is because it will save tax payers money. However the main reason it was stopped in the UK is because some times not guilty people were sentanced to death.

The only reason I am for the death penalty is because it will save tax payers money. However the main reason it was stopped in the UK is because some times not guilty people were sentanced to death.

It costs more to go through the whole appeals procress that's needed in a death penalty case than it does to keep a person in prision for the rest of their life. So, it can't be justfied on economic grounds

So what would you have us do? Keep the people in jail? Leave them free to kill again (let them lose) OR would you have us kill them?

I think you know what my answer is going to be...

There should be a review of sentencing, to give stricter terms for crimes like murder. Yes, I would keep the people in jail. Of course I wouldn't set them all free to save money - do you think I'm some kind of nutcase?

In a civilised society, there's no reason to have a death penalty. Keeping murderers in jail is the only practical way to go about it, and although this costs a lot there is no alternative.

Then do not sentence them to death right away. Give them every opportunity they can to get a good lawyer and defend themselves. I understand where trousers is on this one.. but I still don't see how someone could want to keep the people alive after they have killed an innocent. Self-defence is justified. But not killing without a purpose or killing for the sake of the act itself.

I think you're just playing devil's advocate and you really agree with me.

Why don't you become an american citizen and find us an alternative? And no that wasn't said sarcastically, that was said in all sencerity.

The alternative to your system is the British system. Ok, it's not perfect, but at least it's not barbaric.

America still sees more murders than Britain, relative to the population difference. The death penalty is not a deterrent, as people don't think they're going to get caught.

I suggest that America gets rid of the death penalty. And if you're worried crime will soar, how about getting rid of the guns at the same time? Everyone's a winner!