|
|
#1
08-22-2005, 09:25 AM
|
|||
|
|||
Does the Death Penalty Save Lives?
The release of the 111th inmate from death row has activists calling again for abolishing the death penalty. While it depends on how you define "innocent", opponents of the death penalty claim the process finds one person legally innocent for every eight executed. But what would happen if the death penalty were abolished? It's the irreversible nature of the sentence that sets the stage for the exhaustive review and mandatory appeals. How much attention is paid to a life sentence? What's the urgency?
If I were convicted of a capital crime I did not commit, I would rather be sentenced to death than to life in prison. 
|
|
#2
08-22-2005, 03:11 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Re: Does the Death Penalty Save Lives?
So, what exactly are you trying to say? That we should keep it, because it does, in fact, free more wrongly convicted people than if we just sentanced them to life without parole? If this post is anything more than just a general ramble (which is fine, I guess, if that's what you mean it to be), that's the only point I can come up with that you would be trying to make.
|
|
#3
08-22-2005, 05:32 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Re: Does the Death Penalty Save Lives?
[ QUOTE ]
That we should keep it, because it does, in fact, free more wrongly convicted people than if we just sentenced them to life without parole? [/ QUOTE ] I accept your judgement that my point was poorly made. I should probably have made it a poll. [ QUOTE ] If I were convicted of a capital crime I did not commit, I would rather be sentenced to death than to life in prison. [/ QUOTE ] Would you? My point was that people sentenced to capital crimes who are exonerated through the appeals process should not be used as an argument against capital punishment -- since it is the impending death of the convicted that draws scrutiny to the process. There is an unintended balance.
|
|
#4
08-22-2005, 05:36 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Re: Does the Death Penalty Save Lives?
That is an interesting point. You don't hear many stories about how many people with life sentences are wrongly convicted and get exonerated, but in fact, there are most probably a higher percentage of innocents serving life than on death row since strength of evidence is a factor in sentencing.
My response is neither a case for or against capital punishment, not does it appear to me that the thread was presented as such. It is just an interesting point that points out a potential flaw in a particular argument against capital punishment.
|
|
#5
08-22-2005, 05:43 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Re: Does the Death Penalty Save Lives?
I think this is logically a clear conclusion.
I personally find prosecutors to be the most dangerous officials in society. As a prosecutor, if I wanted to harm an innocent man -- I would not ask for death. To those states that have eliminated the death penalty -- they have at the same time emboldened prosecutors.
|
|
#8
08-22-2005, 08:55 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Re: Does the Death Penalty Save Lives?
I'm not sure if I'm replying to you or your alter ego ...
[ QUOTE ] I've never understood how a life in prison is preferable to death... [/ QUOTE ] Actually the primary point of the post was about the real life consequences of the death sentence. There is a question in the post. If you were innocent, which sentence would you prefer?
|
|
#9
08-25-2005, 04:53 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Redemption
[ QUOTE ]
If I were convicted of a capital crime I did not commit, I would rather be sentenced to death than to life in prison. [/ QUOTE ] You would be assuming then also that there is no chance of ever being released, under whatever circumstances, there is no chance of ever being able to escape and your innocence would never be proven.
|
|
#10
08-25-2005, 05:01 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Re: Does the Death Penalty Save Lives?
1. Which sentence would I prefer? Dunno. depends on the prison appeals process etc. I guess.
2. Does it save lives? Evidence seems to suggest not, but who cares. Isn't it all about societal revenge. 3.Remind me did God commute Cains sentence?
|
 |
|
|
Linear Mode
