The Death Penalty: The History and Facts Behind It

While many argue that Capital Punishment should be abolished. There are just as many people arguing the benefits of it. It has been a hot debate topic through out the United States for years. This is a debate that will never be resolved. It is a practice that started back in the B.C. times. Even though it has evolved through history and changing times the fact still remains the same death is death no matter how it is enforced. Although thirty eight states carry the death penalty, six of those have not carried out an execution in over thirty years.

There is no rhyme or reason in which the death penalty is applied. It is almost as random an act as the crimes themselves. The most common arguments against Capital punishment are: There is no proof that the threat of the possibility of the death penalty deters crime. It has been proven that it actually costs more to execute a person than to sentence them to life without parole. It has been argued that the death penalty actual hurts the prisoners family and not the prisoner themselves. That is it a useless because killing a murderer does not bring the victim back. The chance of error in the conviction and the possibilities of convicting an innocent person.

It has been argued that the bible says murder requires the death penalty. But it also states that sex before marriage, adultery, and homosexual behavior are also all punishable by death. If the United States upheld this we would be having a population crisis. There would be no one left. Some also say that vengeance killings are justifiable homicides, but to me that seems like vigilantes creating there own capital punishment.

Even in the event of murder and being proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt there are instances where the death penalty can not be imposed. It can not be imposed on a person who is proven to be mentally incompetent to understand their actions or the penalty caused by them. Capital punishment also can not be imposed on a juvenile, unless they are tried as an adult.