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Capital Punishment Argument

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Capital Punishment Argument
Joseph Bryan
Professor Malloris
Hum 3710

Capital Punishment: The Botched Solution
Capital punishment is the rightful means to rid our society of criminals incapable of living a civil life. It provides a sense of closure to victims yet may take a loved one from others. The methods of implementing capital punishment have evolved greatly over the years and are designed to be more ethical and humane in the United States. Whether it is a firing squad, hanging, electric chair, gas chamber, or lethal injection, the death penalty has been a swift solution to deter and resolve crimes. In a recent execution in Oklahoma a problem occurred that led to the 43 minute suffering of Clayton Lockett. The constitution protects the American people from cruel and unusual punishment which is debatable in this case after acknowledging he raped and murdered a young girl. I am a firm believer in the constitution as well as capital punishment and have no moral problem with how this execution was carried out.
This botched execution has sparked immense pressure from people to bring an end to the death penalty. It is portrayed as inhumane and unnecessary especially when it does not go as planned. The people arguing against capital punishment claim that it costs upwards of $4.2 million dollars per death sentence and is cheaper to simply imprison them (To Execute or Not). Money is the main reason behind many states not utilizing the death sentence. The death penalty may also put innocent lives at risk of being executed. The innocent victims of these heinous criminals will likely feel a great sense of closure by witnessing the execution of the offender. When someone has committed a crime worthy of the death penalty, it is the perfect solution to clean up our society. The real problem with capital punishment in America is the taxing cost both legally and politically.
When a criminal is sentenced to life in prison instead of death, the lives of other inmates and prison guards are going to be at


Cited: Mohler, R. A., Jr. "Why Christians Should Support the Death Penalty." CNN Belief Blog RSS. N.p., 1 May 2014. Web. 25 August 2014. http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2014/05/01/why-christians-should-support-the-death-penalty/ Samuels, Charles E., Jr. "Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform 317 in the Last Year." Federal Register. N.p., 18 Mar. 2013. Web. 25 August 2014. https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2013/03/18/2013-06139/annual-determination-of-average-cost-of-incarceration "To Execute or Not: A Question of Cost?" Msnbc.com. Associated Press, 7 Mar. 2009. Web. 25 August 2014. http://www.nbcnews.com/id/29552692/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/t/execute-or-not-question-cost/#.U2cQQfldV8E
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