[ QUOTE ]
The more interesting death penalty topic, and one that is more susceptible to using logical arguments as part of the discussion, would be to examine the effects of even having a death penalty in the first place. Does it serve as a deterrent? How expensive is it compared to life without parole?

[/ QUOTE ]

Those aren't very interesting questions, because they have answers. The question of whether or not the death penalty is a deterrent has been exhaustively studied. No evidence a correlation between use of death penalty and murder rates has ever been found in a reputable study. In fact some jurisdictions have experienced rises in crime since implementation of the death penalty and death penalty states frequently have higher rates of violent crime than states without the penalty. There are so many factors at play, however, that the statistical evidence can only be termed inconclusive.

http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/arti...12&did=167

What is not subject to doubt is that the death penalty is vastly more expensive than life without parole.

http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/arti...=7#From%20DPIC