The Death Penalty: Justice for All?
The first recorded case where the death penalty was implemented as a form of punishment in the United States was in 1622 for theft (Grabowski 52). The system has come a long way since then, but does it issue justice to all? Theft is no longer considered a crime punishable by death, but who are we to determine what is an even trade for execution? The death penalty has been a topic of debate for a long time. One aspect that had caused much controversy is whether or not those with an IQ that falls under the category of mentally disabled should be executed. Should they be punished for their crime or should it be taken into account that they do not understand that what they did was wrong? This paper will examine the Church's views, Catholic social teaching, and society's opinions on the death penalty. "Undoubtedly, one possessing a normal mind should be held to a full, strict accountability for his conduct, but, should a person with a pronounced subnormal mind be held to the same high degree of accountability?" Commonwealth v. Green, 396 Pa. 137, 151 A.2d 241 (1959). Many members of the judicial system have found it to be un-Constitutional to execute people with mental disa
The death penalty has been debated over for years and there is no end in sight. It seems very clear cut to many people, but they do not agree. For some, the death penalty is the only logical answer whereas others can not even consider it. I am against the death penalty in all cases. My conclusion is based on years of observing other's opinions and their ability to explain the logic behind them. Combined with my value system, I have come to the conclusion that the death penalty is an inadequate form of punishment. If it is implemented at all, then the mentally disabled should be excluded. A mandatory IQ should be set. Anyone who falls under that IQ level shall not be executed, but placed in special care. It is obvious that it is immoral and unjust to punish someone who does not understand that they are being punished. There is not a point to punishment if a lesson is not learned. The mentally disabled would never learn the lesson. offered an incentive to change and be rehabilitated. (GL 56) Associated Press. "2 Texas Inmates, One Said to be Retarded, Executed". The Los Angeles Times. 10 Aug. 2000. The death penalty in itself is a huge hurdle that society will have to jump. It is crippling our society. People were not meant to judge one another. To prevent to unjust execution of the mentally disabled, a specific IQ should be set. Anyone with an IQ below the set number should be considered not only mentally disabled, but also in need of professional help. Execution should not be an option. They still need to be removed from public because even if they do not mean to be, they are a threat. Every effort should be made to help them, not kill them. As for the death penalty in general, it should be abolished. It has always been said that "two wrongs do not make it right." That applies to the death penalty. By killing the murderer, it does not bring back the victim(s). Placing murderers in prison for life without parole will keep society safe as effectively as killing them would. But by placing them in prison, society is not deciding who is worthy of life. That ha! penalty. In the church and civil society there is a growing the organization of the penal system, such cases are This statement is more in line with the principles of human rights and dignity. It respects the person right to live and refers to death only when absolutely necessary. It states that the death penalty should be more of a last resort and what with all of the improvements
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Approximate Word count = 1682
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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