Should we allow the death penalty? The Death penalty is one
of those issues that raises so much anger, rage, resentment and hate as much as
argumentation, contention, controversy, polemic, altercation and debate.
Putting another person to death, no matter what the reasoning or cause is an absolute
serious thing that cannot be taken casually. Is the Death Penalty fair,
ethical, impartial or correct, useful, convenient as a way of punishing those
who commit the worst crimes? Speaking or writing about the Death Penalty
regardless of being in favor or against is very antagonistic, however it would
very much help if the people participating in the debate knew about the issue
or facts involved. Sadly, most people do not know either. Some of the more
distressing and critical questions I found while I was researching for this
essay were: Can it be carried out fairly? Can it be applied with no regards to
conditions such us socio-economic level or racial profile? Can the authorities
guaranty that NO innocent people would be executed? Can criminals have the
chance to appeal all Death Penalty sentences? I found that some people believe
that the death penalty is a necessary punishment, while others say otherwise. As
I continued on with my research on the Death Penalty, I found that carrying out
a death sentence could actually be more problematic than what most people
think.
Some argue that a kidnapper, rapist or murderer who by
definition has disregarded the life of his or her victims should be dealt the
Death Sentence if proven guilty and rapidly put to Death so as to minimize the
economic burden on society in general. I, however, believe that they fail to
realize that there is a chance that an innocent person might be wrongly
convicted, and that the Justice system should make absolutely sure that the person
being tried is in fact the criminal. A problem I found out facing the penalty
is the risk of executing the innocent. Ever since the death penalty has been
reinstated back in 1978, at least 142 men and women have been released from
death row after they were able to prove their innocence. In 2012, it was found
that a man convicted of murder in 1994 was innocent due to the fact that there
was very little evidence that linked him to the murder. He remained in custody
until 2012. However, in the past two years, new evidence has indicated that
four men may have been wrongfully executed. This is a very serious situation.
We are dealing with someone’s life, and that is something that no one can take
back.
Another main thing I
found out about the Death Penalty is just how much money taxpayers are spending
on the punishment. In a recent study held in 2003 by a legislative audit in
Kansas, it was found that a Death penalty case cost $1.26 million. The median
cost for non Death penalty is $740,000. In California the Death penalty cost
$137 million a year. With out the Death penalty, it would cost only $11.5
million. California has also spent $4 billion on the penalty since it was
reinstated 1978. It is, in fact, less expensive for someone to be sentenced to
life in prison. Life in prison without the possibility of parole is a better
alternative, because it is not as expensive and also allows the wrongfully
accused more time to prove their innocence. This also allows other mistakes to
be corrected. Currently there are over 3,300 people who have had this alternate
sentence.
History has shown that death penalty has been racially
biased. The General Accounting Office made a report in 1990, concluding that, "in
82 percent of the studies [reviewed], race of the victim was found to influence
the likelihood of being charged with capital murder or receiving the death
penalty, i.e. those who murdered whites were more likely to be sentenced to
death than those who murdered blacks." Even though the majority of
homicide victims are black, 77% of death row defendants have been executed for
killing white victims, since 1977.
Despite of my opposition of the Death penalty, I must shed
some light to some counter arguments I have faced while doing this research. Some
people say that it is better to let 100 criminals go than to convict one
person, let alone execute that person. However, during my research I found out
that people that express this point of view, have not had a terrible tragedy
like a murder, kidnapping or rape happened to them or a family member. Up until
this happen to somebody close to the family, it is only and statistic and one
is able to rationalize why not to apply the Death Penalty, after it happens to
a relative it becomes very real and, therefore, a very strong need for
retribution is justified. Retribution is not to be confused with revenge. The
purpose of retribution is punishment that is fair and just. There is no Justice
system that is perfect. It does not exist. Mistakes are made in any process
that involves humans. The Justice system in the United States establishes a
very high standard for Death Penalty
This topic has shown me more reasons to oppose the death
penalty rather than propose it. Though the thought of retribution sounds good
for the people who have lost their loved ones, I must say that the death
penalty causes more problems than solve it. Taxpayer’s money has been used to
spend on the penalty, and billions of dollars have been spent since the Death
penalty has been reinstated way back in 1978. There are also many risks on
executing the innocent or the wrongfully convicted. Evidence has proven that
many innocent people have been in custody and almost put on death row.
Unfortunately, some of them have never been let go and have been executed
despite being innocent. The death penalty is also racially biased. However, I
cannot ignore the fact that I am, perhaps, a little biased myself. Perhaps, it
is easier for me to oppose the death penalty, because I, fortunately, have
never experienced the loss of a loved one in the hands of a murderer. I truly
hope this never happens, but what if, perhaps, my opinion will change if a
friend or a relative of mine becomes the victim of a murder, rape, or kidnap.
Would my anger get the best of me and motivate me to change my views and
propose the death penalty rather than oppose it? These are still questions that
linger in my head. All I can say is that, as of right now, my views is to
oppose the death penalty. I do not believe that any further research on this
topic is necessary. I have shared enough facts and points in order to support
my view. The reason this topic is so important is because it deals with
people’s lives. The death penalty also affects all of us. Whether we are paying
for it through our tax money, or whether we are seeking retribution for a lost
loved one. Either way, I don’t see the death penalty as solving anything, but
rather raising more problems.
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