Death Row
I. Introduction A. Thesis Statement
The death penalty is a topic dealing with ethics, a set of moral principles or values. This issue is constantly filled with mix feelings, attitudes, and the beliefs of individuals from all aspects of life. Some are for the death penalty while others argue against it. No matter how the world progresses there will never be a final argument or resolution to the understanding, acknowledgement, or ending to the right or wrong of the death penalty.
B. Overview of the topic (Background Of the Problem)
Looking at the death penalty system in action, you realize that the only purpose it serves is retribution or revenge, it is seriously (and intrinsically) flawed in application and there is a serious and continuing risk of executing innocent people. And, it costs much more than life in prison. Sources below.
Most disturbing is that innocent people have been sentenced to death. Lots of them. 130 people wrongfully convicted people were sentenced to death and were lucky to be exonerated and released, eventually. DNA, available in less than 10% of all homicides, can’t guarantee we won’t execute innocent people. Obviously, if someone is convicted and later found innocent you can release him from prison, but not from the grave.
A big surprise: The death penalty is much more expensive than life in prison, and it is well documented. The high costs of the death penalty are for the complicated legal process, and the largest costs come at the beginning, for the pre trial process and for the trial itself. The point is to avoid executing innocent people.
Families of murder victims are far from unanimous about the death penalty. However, even families who have supported the death penalty in principal have testified that the drawn-out death penalty process is painful for them and that life without parole is an appropriate alternative.
C. Statement Of the Problem A. What is the death penalty, the origination and history
The death penalty is a topic dealing with ethics, a set of moral principles or values. This issue is constantly filled with mix feelings, attitudes, and the beliefs of individuals from all aspects of life. Some are for the death penalty while others argue against it. No matter how the world progresses there will never be a final argument or resolution to the understanding, acknowledgement, or ending to the right or wrong of the death penalty.
B. Overview of the topic (Background Of the Problem)
Looking at the death penalty system in action, you realize that the only purpose it serves is retribution or revenge, it is seriously (and intrinsically) flawed in application and there is a serious and continuing risk of executing innocent people. And, it costs much more than life in prison. Sources below.
Most disturbing is that innocent people have been sentenced to death. Lots of them. 130 people wrongfully convicted people were sentenced to death and were lucky to be exonerated and released, eventually. DNA, available in less than 10% of all homicides, can’t guarantee we won’t execute innocent people. Obviously, if someone is convicted and later found innocent you can release him from prison, but not from the grave.
A big surprise: The death penalty is much more expensive than life in prison, and it is well documented. The high costs of the death penalty are for the complicated legal process, and the largest costs come at the beginning, for the pre trial process and for the trial itself. The point is to avoid executing innocent people.
Families of murder victims are far from unanimous about the death penalty. However, even families who have supported the death penalty in principal have testified that the drawn-out death penalty process is painful for them and that life without parole is an appropriate alternative.
C. Statement Of the Problem A. What is the death penalty, the origination and history