Forms of punishments within the United States’ system of criminal justice can range from a simple warning all the way up to the death penalty, depending on the nature and type of crime committed. The goal of punishment in the criminal justice system is deterrence and crime prevention, however when the punishment offers no major impact on crime, is extremely costly, exhibits racial bias, and has taken the life of innocent people, (socially and physically) the death penalty is not only viewed as punishment, but as revenge and as murder.
Taking a look at the death penalty from a lawyer point of view we have Michael A. Mello, author of Dead Wrong: A Death Row Lawyer Speaks Out Against Capital Punishment. He tells his story of being a professional lawyer, who “worked within the legal system to prevent the state from executing some of its citizens.” In his book he talks about his work as a lawyer and his days as a judicial clerk, working with Judge Robert Vance of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Judge Robert Vance, going against his personal views (believing that the death penalty was not a proper form of punishment) but adhering to the result
…show more content…
Mello, highlighted on one particular case that led to his decision to no longer work directly in the American System of capital punishment, the case of “Crazy Joe” Spaziano. “Mr. Spaziano was the co-founder of the Outlaws Motorcycle Brotherhood group for the Orlando chapter. In addition to be wrongly convicted of a crime he did not commit and serving twenty years on death row, he was almost executed. Mello invested thirteen long years, totaling twenty six judges just to prove Mr. Spazinao’s innocence. He also highlighted on the case of Theodore (Ted) Bundy, “the serial sexual murderer suspected of raping and then killing dozens of young women during the 1970s.” After turner over this case to someone else, he was left with the feeling that he failed Bundy’s wife and