capital punishment

A detailed Summary of capital punishment

Capital punishment is the lawful infliction of the death penalty and since ancient times it has been used to punish a wide variety of offenses. The Bible prescribes death for murder and many other crimes such as kidnapping and witchcraft. Major felonies carry the death penalty and some of these felonies are treason, murder, larceny, burglary, rape, and arson. In the 1800's however, England enacted many new capital offenses, and hundreds of persons were being sentenced to death each year. In the United States prior to the Civil War the death penalty was imposed on slaves for many crimes, but the penalty for others were less severe. Today, in 37 of the 50 states you can be sentenced to death if found guilty of a crime worthy of the death penalty. The United States is the only western democratic nation that has not banned the practice of capital punishment (Levine 160). Capital punishment is not answer to crime. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; o!

nly light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction" (mccsc.edu). Due to lack of a fair

prisoner's innocence. But, for 23 of the prisoners, that evidence appeared too late. They had already been executed. Between 1973 and 1997, at least 69 men were released from death rows in 17 U.S. states with significant evidence of innocence. Flaws inherent in the death sentencing system had allowed them to be wrongfully convicted (icomm.ca/aiusa). In 1989 Randall Dale Adams escaped execution by only three days when Texas authorities overturned his murder conviction and released him. He had spent 12 years on death row. In the same year, Florida officials released James Richardson, who had spent 21 years in custody for murders he did not commit and had come within 24 hours of execution. Judicial misconduct has been cited in his case. In 1990, after nine years on death row and twice coming within days of execution, Clarence Lee Brandley was freed by the state of Texas. Judge Perry Pickett said, "The court unequivocally concludes that the color of Clarence Brandley's skin was a !

ut the people they represent. There are lawyers who have passed the bar, and have taken the oath to honorably defend. However, because of their illegal and immoral actions they were disbarred. Lawyers like this should not defend the accused, but they do. This does not protect the right to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense. A major aspect of the death penalty is that it is final. So what should happen if mistakes are made? As of today April 28, 2000 there are about 3,500 men and women on death row (icomm.ca/aiusa). Even if only half of one percent were innocent that would mean that about 16 people are waiting their death for a crime they did not commit. There are so many aspects that go into the conviction that it is impossible to have an infallible legal system. Witnesses can mistake identification, false testimony can be given, and an overall prejudice can all affect the outcome of a trial. Prejudice and inadequate defense can all lead to a false death sentence. !

substantial factor which pervaded all aspects of the State's capital prosecution of him." (icomm.ca/aiusa). The following is an eye witness account of an Arizona gas chamber execution given by Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens: "When the fumes enveloped Don's head he took a quick breath. A few seconds later, he looked again in my direction. His face was red and contorted as if he were attempting to fight through tremendous pain. His mouth was pursed shut and his jaw was clenched tight. Don then took several more quick gulps of the fumes. His body started convulsing violently and his skin turned a deep red...the veins in his temple and neck began to bulge until I

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Approximate Word count = 1778
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

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