Why The Death Penalty Is Wrong

The death penalty has been around for centuries. The U.S Congress established it in 1790. The community would come together and watch hangings as if it was a movie. From 1957 to 1972 the United States abolished it (“death penalty information center”). July 2, 1976 is when the supreme court reaffirmed the penalty (“death penalty information center”). Ever since that day and even now lethal injection is the most common method of execution. On account of that day, only 1,418 criminals have been executed (“death penalty information center”). Recently the death penalty has lost tons of supporters. But if the criminals that have done the worst of the worst aren’t executed, what happens to them? They go to prison. More criminals in prison leads

Many citizens think that lethal injection is cruel and unusual. There are other ways of execution. The electric chair, firing squads, and hangings are other methods of choice. The United States courts can reject any way of execution that seems cruel and unusual (“top 10 pros and cons- death penalty- procon.org”). Another factor that is used against the death penalty is racism. The percent of criminals that have been executed are 76% white, 7% hispanic, 15% black, and 2% other (“facts about the death penalty”). The greatest percent of the victims have been white. Other votes have been that the United States fails to protect against those with a mental illness’ (“capital punishment”). If that was the case then the court can make the decision of whether the criminal should get help or be executed. In the last 30 years there has been only 1,000 executions (“pro-death penalty.com”). The number of death sentences have dropped. In 2012 there was only 82, 83 in 2013, and 73 in 2014. The death penalty is not something that is being used often. It may even cause closure to some victims

They don’t get to put the killer on trial and say what they believe is right. The victims families have to do everything that they believe the victim would want. Everyone in this world has someone. The effects of these murders are stuck with the families and friends. The death penalty can stop people from seeking revenge (“ the ultimate punishment letter”). The death penalty can bring some peace to these families. It will ensure that there will be no more further victims. These killers are getting more attention than they deserve. We hear more about the murderers rather than the victims (“retribution in support of the death penalty”). “My dad wasn’t there for me when i turned 21 last month. He’s not going to be there when I graduate from college. He’s not going to be there when I get married. And I won’t have been satisfied with life imprisonment. I’m sorry, I don’t care if Texas had it or not. I would not be satisfied because he (the murderer) can still live” (“65 pro death penalty quotes by victims’ families in the U.S.A.”). This quote is an example of how some families could feel. There are about 15,000 murders a year (“pro-death penalty.com”), but the death penalty can prevent some of