For example, Iowa does not have the death penalty in their state, and their neighboring state, Illinois, does. The murder rate in Illinois is 4 times as large than the murder rate in Iowa (State-by-State Review). States that use the death penalty seem to have a higher murder rate than those who do not use it. This just goes to show that the death penalty is not effective in deterring murders. No change in the rate of homicides in a given city or state seems to occur following a local execution.

             One of the greatest downfalls to the death penalty is the wrongful execution of innocent people. Families suffer the loss of a loved one just because of a wrongful law, the death penalty. But once a wrongful execution has been discovered there is no bringing back to life miracles. Hundreds of lawsuits are filed every year by the family members of the wrongly executed. How would you feel if one of your family members were executed with out just cause? Researchers Radelet and Bedau found 23 cases of innocent people that were executed ("In Spite of Innocence"). These 23 cases are only some of many others that possibly have the same out come. There is no way that every single case will receive as much attention as these 23. It took an average of approximately six and a half years to determine the innocense of these wrongfully executed inmates. Crucifixion, boiling in oil, drawing and quartering, impalement, beheading, burning alive, crushing, tearing asunder, stoning, and drowning are just a few examples of the torturous acts that were used, and may still be used through.

             out the world today. These cruel means of punishment are no way for a human to die, and even worse if he/she is innocent. .

             I never really thought about the death penalty before, but now that I have thought it over the death penalty does not deter potential murders. It will only cause more chaos in our society as innocent people are being executed.