The death penalty has been used for almost as long as humanity itself has existed. People have been using capital punishment as a method of bringing justice and as a scare tactic. The methods used have changed greatly throughout time and we are at a point in our society that is a crossroads for the future of the justice system. The death penalty was originally formed in 18th century BC through the ancient laws of China. However, times are beginning to change. Too many times in our past have instances occurred where the person being executed has suffered during the process. Or even worse, we execute the wrong person. Although, some people say that it aids the family of the subject in a murder and it continues old traditions, the death penalty is an outdated method of bringing justice, and it is morally wrong. 

Those who are for the death penalty usually are among the families of the convicted. They are extremely hurt, rightfully so, by the felons actions. The families always want for justice to be brought to the murderer, but that does not always include executing the person. In Halls essay, he finds that a majority of the families of the convicted are actually against capital punishment. In terms of justice, the families believe "[t]he death penalty ... stands as the concept's polar opposite". They believe that capital punishment actually hinders the justice system. Those on death row have no opportunity to continue to defend themselves and if new information comes up on their case in the years coming, they would already be deceased. Hall also states that removing the death penalty "would be a true gesture of restorative justice” allowing people the convicted to continue to pursue freedom. 

One of my sources was a non-fiction novel written by Adam Bedau, a well known writer that is very credible in the world of literature. Bedau is trying to provide support for “the complete abolition of the death penalty”. He shows that the death penalty is outdated and is an ineffective method of bringing justice. People first started movements for the abolition of the death penalty as far back as 1850 when Michigan was the first state to officially repeal it from their justice system. In recent years, many other state legislatures have followed their lead in getting rid of capital punishment. He proves that state legislatures have significantly decreased the amount of people who were executed as well as increased the amount of time the convicted spend on death row. The article also describes the many methods used for executions. From barbaric means, such as the electric chair, to more modern ways such as lethal injection or the gas chamber, there are various ways a state can choose to kill someone. Some states have had issues with cruel and unusual punishment. For example, California deemed that death by cyanide gas was considered as a cruel form of capital punishment.

Capital punishment has had many issues in recent years. Ohio had previously stopped the death penalty after one man had suffered for 26 minutes prior to death due to the treatment used to execute him. The state said they have revised their method for executing people with new drugs and is ready to start putting people to death again. Some people were hoping the state would get rid of the penalty after the incident with McGuire, causing a drop in support for the punishment. This page is an article that was published in The Independent, which is a reliable source of news. The author also has built up credentials as a named editor of the company. The author may gain support from the people who are against Ohio restarting their system for execution. They associate themselves with those who are against using capital punishment. They hold themselves to a consistent viewpoint throughout the entire article.

Whether or not capital punishment should continue to be implemented is coming to a crucial point as supplies used for lethal injection are funning low. The companies are rushing to find alternatives, but this risks having people suffer during their death which is extremely inhumane. Other methods are being looked at as well. People also continue to put executions on hold which is creating tension among the nation about the topic. The author strongly supports the popular opinion of the public so they may be trying to gain support from an audience that he may not originally attract. We know this based off the multiple examples of how state are risking lives with capital punishment and the focus of how the country is running out of chemicals to execute people with. They, also, hold themselves to a consistent viewpoint throughout the article. This is an article posted on CNN which is a well known news website that has valid credentials. The author of the post, Eliott, has been a writer, producer, field reporter and blogger for CNN since 2005. He is currently a news desk editor for the company. 

Prior to DNA evidence, there was very little certainty as to whether or not people are innocent or not. Essentially it was one persons word against the others.  Freddy Lee Pitts is an example of this. He was accused of murdering two white men, and despite any physical evidence he was sentenced to death row. When the real murderer stepped forward, he was then released from prison. After released he stated “You can release an innocent man from prison, but you can’t release him from the grave” (Lee Pitts). If there is even a 1% chance that the convicted is innocent, then the risk is too great. Freddy to this day still experiences psychological effects from being locked up in solitary confinement for 15 years. He has had a lot of trouble adjusting and conforming into society. The effects of death row are long lasting and have a significant impact on peoples lives. It makes it near impossible to ever be a real human being again. 

My research also highlighted viewpoints on the death penalty even though it is mainly focused on the fact that justice cannot be attained through the penalty. The only reason capital punishment could benefit society is the fact that it would deter would-be murderers. However, studies have shown that the death penalty has not had any effect on the murder rate nor is there any evidence to support the claim. Other evidence shows that people sentenced the death penalty were 3.5 more likely to be white when black people are committing more crimes, which shows that there is inequality is where the death penalty is being utilized. The last argument is that the death penalty offers closure to families. However, again studies have shown that a majority of the families are just as content with jail time, with some actually preferring the murderer to be kept in jail.

During my research, I came across a video clip of a man who was currently on death row awaiting execution. In this clip, a man who is scheduled to be executed is interviewed and we have an opportunity to see the effects on his family and himself. It also shows us the emotional impacts on the person being executed. The perspective of the convicted is not always a viewpoint that is examined when debating the death penalty. Most people tend to focus on what the public has to say instead. The emotional pain that the families of the convicted go through is unlike anything we could imagine. Sometimes, the justice system does not value every life as it should. Some say that it is gods power to bring people in and out of this world, not a court systems. 

The history of the death penalty is also a valid indicator of the impacts it has on modern day society. We have come a long way in the methods used to execute people. These vary from barbaric ways such as the guillotine and hanging to more modern types such as lethal injection and the electric chair. In 1800 B.C the death penalty was first formed as a method to repay anyone who kills a man. This tactic was used all the way up to the early 1800s. People first started movements for the abolition of the death penalty as far back as 1850 when Michigan was the first state to officially repeal it from their justice system. In recent years, many other state legislatures have followed their lead in getting rid of capital punishment. 

Just recently, a man who was executed was recorded suffering for over 30 minutes before finally dying. This was due to a failure in the drugs and chemicals used in the process. Now, eventually the man was brought to justice. But no human should have to suffer. The ethics involved sometimes goes unnoticed. The judicial system seems to focus more on bringing people to justice, but if someone suffers then we aren’t actually bringing justice to those in need of it. The judicial systems goal is to better humanity and to regulate equality. Not to make people suffer. 

The death penalty also faces some legal debate. “The Eighth Amendment, or Amendment VIII of the United States Constitution is the section of the Bill of Rights that states that that punishments must be fair, cannot be cruel, and that fines that are extraordinarily large cannot be set”. The death penalty is beginning to be an example of a cruel and unusual punishment. There have been very many methods used in the past to execute people that have been revoked due to this amendment, however, the death penalty is still around. One example of this is the gas chamber. Previously states had used cyanide gas to put people down. Recently this has been eliminated due to the eighth amendment. Congress has not deemed that the penalty itself is considered cruel and unusual, but some believe otherwise. Protesters believe that congress should take the choice away from the states, and make it a federal issue to accommodate the constitution. The only problem being it could offset the balance of power between the states and the federal government.  

One of the few reasons capital punishment would benefit society is the fact that it would deter would-be murderers. Many think that the death penalty can be used as a scare tactic. Meaning that murders would think twice before killing someone if they knew they would die as well. However, studies have shown that the death penalty has not had any effect on the murder rate nor is there any evidence to support the claim. People who kill others aren’t focused on the consequences of their actions. Whether they get put in jail for life, or are executed, they still proceed to kill. The homicide rate has only increased in past years. Another argument is that the death penalty offers closure to families. However, studies have shown that a majority of the families are just as content with jail time, with some actually preferring the murderer to be kept in jail (Edgerton). The families of the victims should have some sort of input into the punishment of the convicted. Other evidence shows that people sentenced the death penalty were 3.5 more likely to be white when black people are committing more crimes, which shows that there is inequality is where the death penalty is being utilized.

Another topic of concern for the death penalty is the element of race. “Although black offender- white victim crimes are generally punished more severely than crimes involving other racial combinations. Crimes with black victims, however, are less likely to result in imposition of the death penalty” (Baldus). There is a lacking of equality in the justice system. Black people are at a complete disadvantage when being sentenced. It is said that more that 20% of blacks convicted, were sentenced by all white jury’s. This puts African Americans at a complete disadvantage because they do not have the opportunity to be correctly represented by a court of law.  80% of people executed since the death penalty was reinstated have been executed for murders involving white victims (Amnesty Report). Even though the homicide rate is nearly the same for both, more black people than white are executed. US Senator Chuck Schumer said himself “We simply cannot say we live in a country that offers equal justice to all Americans when racial disparities plague the system by which our society imposes the ultimate punishment.”. He states that when it comes to life or death, we should take into account the risk for an unfair hearing. It is simply too much of a risk when discussing whether a person lives or dies. An easy way to ensure this stops, is to completely abolish the death penalty entirely.

This research question is arguable because there are some people who agree with capital punishment, and there are those who do not agree with it. There are also various debates that could be held over what method would be the best to execute someone. Most of the sources I have found agree that the death penalty is a risky way to bring justice. Some of the sources are totally against the penalty while the others just suggest the risk that capital punishment has. The sources have made me rethink my values and realize that the death penalty may not be the best method for justice. I believe that we can find a more morally correct method to bring people to justice. My research question could be more specific and involve explicit methods that some states choose to use. I could also focus on what makes capital punishment morally correct/incorrect and why. 

This is a topic that I have always been interested in. Throughout my life I have always thought that bad people should be brought to justice, and I don’t think there are many people that would disagree with this. Obviously, there are many forms and methods used to bring bad people to justice, capital punishment being one of the most extreme. I have just always agreed with what our governments decide to do. However, after some research, I have gained more interest on the topic and have even changed my viewpoint on what I think about the death penalty. I originally thought that the death penalty brought justice to those who have been hurt. But after becoming an expert on the topic, I have found that it only creates a large amount of suffering for those awaiting execution and have found that it worsens people, instead of making them better. The psychological impacts it has on exoneree’s are irreversible. There are many factors that are not thought about when forming an opinion on capital punishment. It isn’t as cut and dry as many people think. 
