Some other factors that play into the con side of the death penalty include the fact that killing the offender does not always relieve suffering of the victims’ families or bring them closure. Also, due to long waits on death row, prisoners are essentially serving both a life and death sentence which some would argue is inhumane treatment. We also cannot forget that the death penalty may glorify prisoners and make them martyrs in the eyes of their supporters and could create a copy-cat effect. (Stearman, 2008, p.22)
Capital punishment is an intolerable denial of civil liberties, and is inconsistent with the fundamental values of our democratic system. (Stearman, 2008, p.44) This could result in a more violent and less compassionate society …show more content…
However, I doubt we can go back to public executions as a live spectator event. I do not think we will see “widespread vigilantism or mob lynching again” because America has “come to our present use of the death penalty through a historical learning curve.” (Steelwater, 2003, p.229)
Even after careful, objective analysis of the arguments for and against the death penalty in the way of deterrence, pros and cons, and public executions there is no clear answer to what is correct. This concept will probably always be in the eye of the beholder. There is no cookie cutter death penalty sentencing nor should there be. A battered wife who kills her husband after suffering years of abuse should not be treated the same as a psychopathic murderer who kills for the thrill of it. The only relevant question is: does the person to be executed deserve the punishment?
“When a life has been taken deliberately by the offender, we cannot say that the punishment is invariably disproportionate to the crime. It is an extreme sanction, suitable to the most extreme of crimes.” (Brenner, 2006, p.66) Since we are not able to establish strict guidelines on who receives the death penalty and who does not, there will always be heated debates surrounding the death penalty with no clear
Capital punishment is an intolerable denial of civil liberties, and is inconsistent with the fundamental values of our democratic system. (Stearman, 2008, p.44) This could result in a more violent and less compassionate society …show more content…
However, I doubt we can go back to public executions as a live spectator event. I do not think we will see “widespread vigilantism or mob lynching again” because America has “come to our present use of the death penalty through a historical learning curve.” (Steelwater, 2003, p.229)
Even after careful, objective analysis of the arguments for and against the death penalty in the way of deterrence, pros and cons, and public executions there is no clear answer to what is correct. This concept will probably always be in the eye of the beholder. There is no cookie cutter death penalty sentencing nor should there be. A battered wife who kills her husband after suffering years of abuse should not be treated the same as a psychopathic murderer who kills for the thrill of it. The only relevant question is: does the person to be executed deserve the punishment?
“When a life has been taken deliberately by the offender, we cannot say that the punishment is invariably disproportionate to the crime. It is an extreme sanction, suitable to the most extreme of crimes.” (Brenner, 2006, p.66) Since we are not able to establish strict guidelines on who receives the death penalty and who does not, there will always be heated debates surrounding the death penalty with no clear