Do you believe in the death penalty?

I'm pretty sure there is a troll out there starting the most controversial threads possible on MI just to see the result and hope for possible flame wars.

Is that such a bad thing? I think a lot of people like a good debate once in awhile

If there's unquestionable proof that the criminal did something horrifying, e.g., serial rapists, serial killers and human mutilation, then yes, I'd rather not pay my tax dollars towards something that will provide warm food, a bed and a TV for the rest of their lives.

Killing them is the end of it and that frees up space (jail cells) for those who can be rehabilitated and reintegrated back into society, e.g., alcoholics, drug users and thieves.

Originally Posted by Bhaltair

If there's unquestionable proof that the criminal did something horrifying, e.g., serial rapists, serial killers and human mutilation, then yes, I'd rather not pay my tax dollars towards something that will provide warm food, a bed and a TV for the rest of their lives.

I'm with you on this one. I'd like to see counter arguments so we can get this thread started.

I personally don't believe in capital punishment for any crime. If we kill someone for killing other people, we are no better than they are. I also believe that some people can be rehabilitated. This is synonymous with playing God. Revenge is never the answer.

Our legal system is pretty complicated, which would make giving people the death penalty more expensive and time consuming than you might expect. I think the only real evidence that is 100%, or as good as in realistic cases, is a confession. I suppose with serial killers you could have a survivor and a house full of evidence which was the case with Dahmer, and that would do as well, but he also confessed anyways. On the other hand, it's been said that most offenders become re-offenders, and that the lives saved from using the death penalty outweigh the deaths of the innocents that die by it.

Here is a question that will affect most law abiding citizens that would never be faced with death penalty or similar:

Which would cost more of your tax money: death penalty or life in prison?

Originally Posted by Bhaltair

If there's unquestionable proof that the criminal did something horrifying, e.g., serial rapists, serial killers and human mutilation, then yes, I'd rather not pay my tax dollars towards something that will provide warm food, a bed and a TV for the rest of their lives.

Killing them is the end of it and that frees up space (jail cells) for those who can be rehabilitated and reintegrated back into society, e.g., alcoholics, drug users and thieves.

How do you know they can't be rehabilitated? I am sure it's hard to believe that they can't be because they killed someone but there is a possibility. How is legislated killing any different from what they did? It's not our right to end ANYBODY'S life. And stop this bullshit about the cost of keeping people in jail this shouldn't be seen as an economic issue in any sense. It's a purely moral issue

The death penalty isn’t an effective way to prevent crime. if someone has a mental illness causing them to act out negatively, they will do whatever they want (they don't care that they might die). Also, there is always the risk of executing innocent people. If someone is convicted and later found innocent you can release him/her from prison, but not from the grave.
And what if you have a bad lawyer b/c you are poor and you end up getting the death penalty even though your crime wasn't that bad. Rich people can have good excellent lawyers and can get out of a worst situation.

Originally Posted by biglandfarm

Here is a question that will affect most law abiding citizens that would never be faced with death penalty or similar:

Which would cost more of your tax money: death penalty or life in prison?

You might be surprised: http://www.deathpenalty.org/article.php?id=42

To anyone that doesn't want to click that,
"The death penalty is much more expensive than life without parole because the Constitution requires a long and complex judicial process for capital cases." is the first line.

Originally Posted by rpg51

I personally don't believe in capital punishment for any crime. If we kill someone for killing other people, we are no better than they are. I also believe that some people can be rehabilitated. This is synonymous with playing God. Revenge is never the answer.

My argument:

Some dude lured your daughter, raped her until her body gave in and left to die. To top it off, he decided to have an intercourse with the corpse and for the heck of it, he also decided to cut your daughter up in pieces for grub.

He confessed to all of it for a sentence reduction, he served time and eventually walked free.

My question:

Do you believe in capital punishment now?

Originally Posted by Bhaltair

My argument:

Some dude lured your daughter, raped her until her body gave in and left to die. To top it off, he decided to have an intercourse with the corpse and for the heck of it, he also decided to cut your daughter up in pieces for grub.

He confessed to all of it for a sentence reduction, he served time and eventually walked free.

My question:

Do you believe in capital punishment now?

Fuck No. I would be no better than him if I were to kill him. As much as it hurts I don't wish death upon ANYONE. Killing him would not bring my daughter back and it won't give me any peace either.

Originally Posted by Bhaltair

My argument:

Some dude lured your daughter, raped her until her body gave in and left to die. To top it off, he decided to have an intercourse with the corpse and for the heck of it, he also decided to cut your daughter up in pieces for grub.

He confessed to all of it for a sentence reduction, he served time and eventually walked free.

My question:

Do you believe in capital punishment now?

I think you should see someone. That's pretty grim, man.

Originally Posted by Animosity

You might be surprised: http://www.deathpenalty.org/article.php?id=42

To anyone that doesn't want to click that,
"The death penalty is much more expensive than life without parole because the Constitution requires a long and complex judicial process for capital cases." is the first line.

precisely, I believe for every death penalty a legal account needs to be opened for the deceased for at least few decades, If I remember correctly. And who pays for the legal teams? the tax payers

i dont much care for thugs that deserve to get court martialed. However two things stop me from being pro death penalty

1. you can never be absolute sure
2. its costing me money