Capital Punishment

[Medea]

1. Are you for or against capital punishment ? (obviously)

I used to be for it, but since high school I have changed my mind and am now against it

2. Why?

I am against the death penalty for a few reasons. One is based on my religion, Wicca, where I try very hard not to harm people or things throughout life. The death penalty is goes against that. On the other hand, the Rule of Three does state that what a person does comes back to them three times as good or three times as bad, and execution could be seen as a more immediate Karma.

The main reason I am against it is the faults in our judicial system. We want to hold up this system simply because it's "the best we've got". I'm with Adam Carolla, that if we just spent the time to develop a nearly fool proof lie detector, then maybe capital punishment could be valid. As it is, we have probably a 65% rate on actual successful prosecutions (i.e. The guilty person when to jail, or the innocent person didn't) Before we start killing someone, I would definitely see to it that we had a system where we could be more sure that we're right.

In the case of confessed serial murderers or rapists... then I might concede that the death penalty be best.

3. If capital punishment doesn't deter crime and violence, what will? In other words, if you feel that you have ideas that provide a better way of deterring crime, please share them in your response.

I think that a good way to actually deter crime and violence is to make prison more of a punishment. Hard labor, maybe incorporate corporal punishment such as canings and such. Make prison life miserable. Also, as said above, make sure we're putting the right people in there.

Also, decriminalize things such as drug possession and prostitution would help. People who get thrown in jail for having an ounce of weed get turned into hard criminals by their time in jail, and then are released back into society to cause more problems. The murders and thievery that takes place by those using or peddling drugs are crimes enough and should be prosecuted on their own.

And by making prostitution legal, the violence brought against those girls and those who patronize them would end.

4. Do you think there is a connection between the death penalty and racism?

No, but I would say that there is a connection between the death penalty and socio-economics. If you can afford a good lawyer, you are more often able to at least escape the death penalty, if not jail time.

[Neptunebaby]

Thank you all for sharing your views on this topic. This is so much easier than interviewing people individually - and much less time consuming. You're doing me a HUGE favor.

Keep 'em coming.

[Guest Megalicious]

For all of you who believe in capital punishment .... what if THIS had been a death sentce case...... What the report doesnt tell you is that Mr. Saville was going to plead with the DAs office .. knowing that he was inocent , but not wanting to spend the REST of his life in jail. But do to an error in the plea agreement was postponed in pleaing ... in which case A SERGNAT from the sheriffs office contacted Mr Savilles lawyer .. It makes me very sad IF they can do this to James .. They can do this to you. Do you really want to allow them to make this mistake WITH YOUR LIFE , OR the life of ppl you love and care about? ....

[phee]

1. Are you for or against capital punishment ? (obviously)

Against

2. Why?

Killing doesn't stop others from killing, it just adds more violence to the culture, and there have been too many mistakes.

3. If capital punishment doesn't deter crime and violence, what will? In other words, if you feel that you have ideas that provide a better way of deterring crime, please share them in your response.

Education and better mental health care availability.

4. Do you think there is a connection between the death penalty and racism?

I don't have enough information