The death penalty as a deterrent is something that is very questionable amongst those who are both for and against capital punishment. During the 1970's and 1980's, the effect of the death penalty as a deterrent was pushed under the microscope to be more carefully examined. It was found that there was no rise in homicide amongst states that has eliminated the death penalty. Similarly, it was also found that in states that had retained the death penalty that there was no lesser of a homicide rate than in the states that has abolished it (Schmalleger 397). If it is thought about logically, the death penalty as a det

errent is almost ridiculous. If someone is driven enough to commit a murder, and to viscously premeditate an attack upon someone else, there is no reason to believe that in that last moment before the crime is committed that the punishment would flash into the person's mind. Those driven to commit capital offenses are highly unlikely to look toward the consequences of their actions. IN all likely hood, these individual have committed smaller scale crimes and were not afraid of the repercussions of their actions, so why would they being to have fear when committing a capital offense? I feel that in common people, people with something to lose, the death penalty is an effective deterrent against crime. However, if there is nothing to live for, nothing to lose, and the mindset of the individual is sick enough to commit a capital crime, as the statistics have proven, the death penalty is not an effective crime deterrent.

My position on capital punishment is so two sided because as many others do, I want to see the wrongs of heinous crimes made right. However, I feel that I myself have no right to decide whether someone else gets to live or die, and I am not sure if any of my peers have the right to do so. I have seen the facts, know that capital punishment really isn't an effective deterrent and has been used inappropriately throughout history. However, at this time I can not chose a position. Maybe someday when I am an officer and I have lived more, seen more, I will be able to choose a side. Until then, I will continue to evaluate the facts, and attempt to put myself on either the pro or con-capital punishment side of the argument.

Another is Alejandro Avila, who was arrested yesterday for the kidnapping, sexual abuse of, and murder of 5-year-old Samantha Runnion. I sat home looking at the pictures of the little girl online while listening to Avila's mother speaking on CNN. I could not help thinking to myself that I hope he was convicted and sentenced to die. It bewilders me how anyone can tell a little girl that he has lost his puppy, and monopolize

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1394
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)