Courtney Stripe
COM 1110
Steven Hiller
4 Nov 2016
Argumentative Essay
In recent voting, California voted to not only keep the death penalty, but to rush the process of execution. This shows that the death penalty is still a favorable punishment by the citizens in America. The death penalty is a very controversial matter and almost everyone has a separate opinion regarding how it should be handled. It has been used as punishment from the beginning of documented days, the death penalty has been greatly modified over the years. our Supreme Court has also influenced the death penalty through cases which pushed the boundary of the rights the defendant had given to them by the constitution. Throughout the essay history and modern day facts …show more content…
During public executions many local business owner would sell alcohol and keepsakes to the crowds of people. The crowds usually broke out in fights with everyone trying to get better seats for the execution. By the year 1849 as many as 15 states had private hangings, some states included were Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Jersey (Reggio, 1). Although this seems as an advancement in abolishing the death penalty, many abolitionist were angry. They feared that because the executions were no private no one would join the movement and the death penalty would continue. Michigan was the first state to get rid of capital punishment except for treason. Rhode Island soon followed in 1852 and Massachusetts abolished capital punishment except for first degree murder in the same year. As time went on may more states abolished the death penalty for most crimes, while keeping the punishment for crimes such as …show more content…
The Supreme court handles only a handful of cases each year, however those cases can be some of the most important. Furman v. Georgia, was a case heard by the Supreme court in 1972 (Furman, 1). Furman was robbing a private home when he was discovered by a member of the family and attempted to flee. While on the way out Furman tripped and shot and killed the resident. The Supreme Court ruled that capital punishment in this case was a violation of the constitution, the 8th and 14th amendments, which protected people from cruel and unusual punishment. (Furman, 1). Other rulings from the court include an age limit, meaning minors could not be punished by death except in special cases such as first degree murder. Even then only special circumstances allow for a minor to
COM 1110
Steven Hiller
4 Nov 2016
Argumentative Essay
In recent voting, California voted to not only keep the death penalty, but to rush the process of execution. This shows that the death penalty is still a favorable punishment by the citizens in America. The death penalty is a very controversial matter and almost everyone has a separate opinion regarding how it should be handled. It has been used as punishment from the beginning of documented days, the death penalty has been greatly modified over the years. our Supreme Court has also influenced the death penalty through cases which pushed the boundary of the rights the defendant had given to them by the constitution. Throughout the essay history and modern day facts …show more content…
During public executions many local business owner would sell alcohol and keepsakes to the crowds of people. The crowds usually broke out in fights with everyone trying to get better seats for the execution. By the year 1849 as many as 15 states had private hangings, some states included were Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Jersey (Reggio, 1). Although this seems as an advancement in abolishing the death penalty, many abolitionist were angry. They feared that because the executions were no private no one would join the movement and the death penalty would continue. Michigan was the first state to get rid of capital punishment except for treason. Rhode Island soon followed in 1852 and Massachusetts abolished capital punishment except for first degree murder in the same year. As time went on may more states abolished the death penalty for most crimes, while keeping the punishment for crimes such as …show more content…
The Supreme court handles only a handful of cases each year, however those cases can be some of the most important. Furman v. Georgia, was a case heard by the Supreme court in 1972 (Furman, 1). Furman was robbing a private home when he was discovered by a member of the family and attempted to flee. While on the way out Furman tripped and shot and killed the resident. The Supreme Court ruled that capital punishment in this case was a violation of the constitution, the 8th and 14th amendments, which protected people from cruel and unusual punishment. (Furman, 1). Other rulings from the court include an age limit, meaning minors could not be punished by death except in special cases such as first degree murder. Even then only special circumstances allow for a minor to