The death penalty is a type of reward given to criminals who commit serious crimes. The judges are the ones who decide what kind of execution the prisoner gets and what date, although the own criminal can decide for himself too. The judge decides whether or not the criminal gets the death penalty or not. The death penalty has a long history and it has changed over the period of time. Many people approve it while others are against it. Although the death penalty executions cost 1.2 million dollars, people still allow them. Most executions that are given are because of any kind of murder. There are five different methods of execution: lethal injection, electrocution, lethal gas, firing squad, and hanging. Death Penalty
Introduction
Death …show more content…
in Babylonia (modern- day Iraq). The Code of Hammurabi contained 25 crimes that were punishable by death. Crimes such as cheating on your wife/husband, robbery, and helping slaves escape were punishable by death. However, murder wasn't one of them. First execution ever recorded on the United States was in 1608 in Virginia. A colonist in Virginia could be executed for the smallest things such as stealing grapes, killing farm animals, trading with the Native Americans, and even killing chickens. Captain George Kendall was executed for the offense of treason. He was accused of betrayal of the British to the Spanish. Seven years later, Virginia eased these laws because it feared no one would want to settle/colonize …show more content…
Government has five ways of execution. Each method is used differently and according to the crime committed. Sometimes the criminal is allowed to choose what kind of execution he/she wants. Lethal injection, electrocution, lethal gas, firing squad, and hanging are the five methods used for execution. Lethal injection is the most commonly used in all the states that approve the death penalty. Lethal injection uses a combination of three drugs: sodium thiopental or sodium pentothal (leaves the prisoner unconscious), pancuronium bromide (muscle relaxant that paralyzes the diaphragm and lungs), and the third drug is potassium chloride (causes cardiac arrest). Each chemical is deadly with a certain proportion used. Electrocution uses a wooden chair with restraints, a headpiece, and a connection to electrical currents. The criminal is strapped from the head to toes. The metal part of the headpiece consists of a copper wire mesh screen to which the electrode is brazened. A wet sponge is placed between the electrode and the offender's scalp. The electrocution then begins, 2,300 volts (9.5 amps) for eight seconds, followed by 1,000 volts (4 amps) for 22 seconds, followed by 2,300 volts (9.5 amps) for eight seconds. If the prisoner is not dead the procedure has to be redone. In lethal gas, the prisoner is set into a steel airtight execution chamber, equipped with a chair and attached restraints. The prisoner is restrained from his/her chest below making him/her unable to
Introduction
Death …show more content…
in Babylonia (modern- day Iraq). The Code of Hammurabi contained 25 crimes that were punishable by death. Crimes such as cheating on your wife/husband, robbery, and helping slaves escape were punishable by death. However, murder wasn't one of them. First execution ever recorded on the United States was in 1608 in Virginia. A colonist in Virginia could be executed for the smallest things such as stealing grapes, killing farm animals, trading with the Native Americans, and even killing chickens. Captain George Kendall was executed for the offense of treason. He was accused of betrayal of the British to the Spanish. Seven years later, Virginia eased these laws because it feared no one would want to settle/colonize …show more content…
Government has five ways of execution. Each method is used differently and according to the crime committed. Sometimes the criminal is allowed to choose what kind of execution he/she wants. Lethal injection, electrocution, lethal gas, firing squad, and hanging are the five methods used for execution. Lethal injection is the most commonly used in all the states that approve the death penalty. Lethal injection uses a combination of three drugs: sodium thiopental or sodium pentothal (leaves the prisoner unconscious), pancuronium bromide (muscle relaxant that paralyzes the diaphragm and lungs), and the third drug is potassium chloride (causes cardiac arrest). Each chemical is deadly with a certain proportion used. Electrocution uses a wooden chair with restraints, a headpiece, and a connection to electrical currents. The criminal is strapped from the head to toes. The metal part of the headpiece consists of a copper wire mesh screen to which the electrode is brazened. A wet sponge is placed between the electrode and the offender's scalp. The electrocution then begins, 2,300 volts (9.5 amps) for eight seconds, followed by 1,000 volts (4 amps) for 22 seconds, followed by 2,300 volts (9.5 amps) for eight seconds. If the prisoner is not dead the procedure has to be redone. In lethal gas, the prisoner is set into a steel airtight execution chamber, equipped with a chair and attached restraints. The prisoner is restrained from his/her chest below making him/her unable to