Capital Punishment

Capital Punishment

Murder is the unlawful killing of another human being with a malicious or criminal intent. There are heinous acts of violence and murder committed everyday. What fate should be determined for these criminals? Should they sit in our overcrowded prisons, or have to face the death penalty? These questions provoke a very heated debate with many varied opinions about a solid solution. Capital punishment is practiced all over the world, with varied methods of practice. In the United States the preferred methods are lethal injection, electrocution, and the gas chamber.   Another pivotal question asked is does capital punishment deter criminals from committing the crimes in the first place?  
In 2007 there were 16,929 murders in the United States (Disaster Center). That is the equivalent to 47 murders a day! What should be the fate for these murdering monsters? Some people would argue “an eye for an eye”, kill those who kill others. While those who oppose the death penalty claim that taking another life will not bring the others life’s back. Prisons are overcrowded with the numbers of inmates climbing dramatically. Is it fair for our taxes to keep paying for murders to live, with their fates sealed, or should we punish them for their actions, in hopes to deter others criminals from committing the same crimes?  
The view of those who support capital punishment say “let the punishment fit the crime.”   If a crime is so heinous that it causes irreversible damage or the loss of life, then the only penalty for such crimes would be death for the individual that committed the act. Many also feel that once a person has committed such an act, that person’s inhibitions to commit that same act are greatly decreased. If that person was to get out of prison, after crossing that proverbial line, they would be more likely to do it again.   Prisons are full of repeat offenders, which helps support this argument. Sure most murderers that don’t receive the death... [continues]

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