Capital Punishment For Murderers

[David Sklansky]

I believe that the issue can be decided without emotions or high falootin philosophy or religion. Assuming we are talking about cold blooded murders, committed by "sane" defendents, I see the following four things as objective reasons to be for or against the punishment, as opposed to life without parole.

1. Will it dissuade others from committing murder?

2. Is there more than a micro chance that the life sentence will allow an eventual release or escape?

3. Does it cost more to keep him alive?

4. Is there more than a micro chance that the defendent is innocent?

There may be other factors that deserve consideration that I haven't thought of but I doubt it.

[leaponthis]

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There may be other factors that deserve consideration that I haven't thought of but I doubt it.

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How about human fallability?

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Assuming we are talking about cold blooded murders

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How do you determine a cold blooded murderer? Oh, you have a math formula for that. I see. No possibility of mistakes in your court, huh?

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committed by "sane" defendents

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Judged to be sane by who? lol

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Does it cost more to keep him alive?


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What a wonderful reason for making a life and death decision.

Ahmmm.

leaponthis

[firecat]

Seeing the execution of Saddam Hussein on television - isn't it clear that we should be more concerned about how killing people reflects on ourselves than motivations of revenge or retribution. That a tyrant takes his leave of the world displaying dignity and courage, making us, by extension from his masked and leather-clad taunters, seem grubby and callous, is a disgraceful monument to this particular adventure.

I believe that legally authorised executions should be televised live. I have no doubt that the American people, for example, would very soon lose their appetite for the death penalty.

[Dot_the_Bot]

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I believe that legally authorised executions should be televised live. I have no doubt that the American people, for example, would very soon lose their appetite for the death penalty.

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You think so? And Im not being antagonistic by saying that, I really wonder if public executions would be a turn off for people.

When I think about the popularity of the Salem witch trials, Professional Wrestling, Ultimate fighting Championships and "Faces of Death" volumes 1 through 20...I get frightened not only that the public may like public executions...but also by why they'd like them.

[IQ89]

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I believe that legally authorised executions should be televised live.

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Executions are recorded 'live' and shown on the news and on 'cop shows' all the time (Thief shoots clerk point-blank in the head), and we people can't begin to get our fill.

[Mickey Brausch]

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I believe that legally authorised executions should be televised live.

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Executions are recorded 'live' and shown on the news and on 'cop shows' all the time (Thief shoots clerk point-blank in the head), and we people can't begin to get our fill.

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When it's real, it's different.

Which is why a very badly "shot" (on photos or film) real-life death carries more capacity to shock than the best staged death scene in the theatre or the movies.

Which is why, in turn, those who stage death scenes in the theatre or the movies often try to do it in the style of reportage, as pseudo-documentary.

[IQ89]

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When it's real, it's different.


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I didn't mean sitcoms or movies you d-bag!

[jeffnc]

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Does it cost more to keep him alive?


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What a wonderful reason for making a life and death decision.

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Better than most I've heard. Although executing someone is pretty damned expensive too. Especially when they have a life threatening disease like cancer or something during the years awaiting execution.

[jogsxyz]

5. This murderer will not commit another murder.

We know 1. doesn't work.

2. and 3. are good reasons for capital punishment.

4. Only DNA evidence is acceptable for proof in capital punishment cases.

[fasteddy1970]

"4. Only DNA evidence is acceptable for proof in capital punishment cases."

Not true. The standard of evidence is identical to any non death penalty murder case.