Capital Punishment is Murder
analytical Essay
1748 words
American history is replete with examples of brutality and foolishness that will forever blot the American conscience. Early in this century, Sacco and Vanzetti were railroaded for a murder of which they were almost certainly innocent. The trial was a farce, and the verdict was a more a result of bias against Italians than of the evidence. Their lives were forfeit. Later in the century, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were tried for conspiracy to commit espionage. Despite questionable evidence and even more questionable conduct on the part of prosecuting attorneys and government agencies, they were convicted; the verdict was a statement of public hysteria and fear of Communism. They too met the executioner. Not yet ingrained in the annals of history, in the past months the state of Texas executed a man who even the state admitted had not pulled the trigger, but was only an accomplice. If the recent elections prove anything, it is that these examples of the state-sanctioned murders of innocents have done nothing to change the American mind. Many Republicans ran and won on a "law and order" platform; in New York, Governor George Pataki defeated former Governor Mario Cuomo largely on the basis of Cuomo's opposition to capital punishment. This article is an appeal to readers' morality, to their consciences. It does attempt to show that the death penalty is costly and impractical (though it is), or that it is unconstitutional (which it may well be). The article is an appeal for mercy.
Perhaps the greatest problem with the death penalty, as the cases of the Rosenbergs and of Sacco and Vanzetti point out, is the chance for error incurred in capital cases. A study conducted at Stanford University found that, since 1900, more than fifty pe...
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...run by criminals unless the criminals are all destroyed: it is a war of us against them and we must use whatever means are necessary to fight against them. Even more moderate advocates of capital punishment tend to hold to a black-and-white morality that justifies the brutality of capital punishment as a necessary act of self- protection. However, before giving in to fear of crime and justifying the deaths of innocents that inevitably result from the institution of capital punishment, we should remember that one of the few things that distinguishes human from animal is the capacity for mercy. Even if we could be absolutely certain of a person's guilt, by killing him or her do we not make murderers of ourselves. Darrow reminds us exactly what it means for society to abandon its mercy: "I would hate to live in a state that I didn't think was better than a murderer."
In this essay, the author
- Opines that american history is replete with examples of brutality and foolishness that will forever blot the american conscience.
- Opines that the death penalty is imperfect and guarantees innocent people will be put to death. the finality of execution distinguishes capital punishment.
- Argues that capital punishment advocates dismiss the murder of innocents at the hands of the state as a necessary evil.
- Argues that the capriciousness of capital punishment violates the basic tenets of our criminal justice system, which discriminates on the basis of race, wealth, and fame.
- Explains that race is not the sole subject of bias in capital cases, as poor defendants are represented by inadequate and incompetent counsel. this bias affects the district attorney's decision to ask for the death penalty.
- Explains that capital punishment is often used as a political tool with little regard for the person whose life hangs in the balance.
- Argues that the best argument against capital punishment stems from a basic feeling of human compassion.
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- The Death Penalty: Can It Ever Be Justified?analytical essayEdward I. Koch uses his essay “The Death Penalty: Can It Ever Be Justified?” to defend capital punishment. He believes that justice for murderous crimes is essential for the success of the nation. The possibility of error is of no concern to Koch and if would-be murderers can be deterred from committing these heinous crimes, he feels the value of human life will be boosted and murder rates will consequently plummet (475-479). Koch makes a valiant effort to express these views, yet research contradicts his claims and a real look at his idea of justice must be considered in order to create a fair nation for all.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how edward i. koch uses his essay "the death penalty: can it ever be justified?" to defend capital punishment. he believes that justice for murderous crimes is essential for the success of the nation.
- Analyzes how koch tries to address the value of human life. he believes that the death penalty helps to establish this fact by demonstrating that if someone commits a heinous crime, they will suffer the worst of consequences.
- Analyzes how koch believes that capital punishment can prevent future murders by eliminating the murderer and making potential murderers think twice about committing a crime.
- Analyzes how koch argues that mistakes must be overlooked in order to succeed. the case of willie darden is not the only one of its kind.
- Analyzes how koch's main claim lies in the issue of justice when it comes to capital punishment. he argues that all other forms of punishment are insufficient, yet he does not clarify why.
- Analyzes edward koch's apprehensions about capital punishment, but his execution solution contains flaws and is not the right answer for solving the murder and justice problems in society.
- Cites the works of the death penalty information center.
- Cites the national coalition to abolish the death penalty.
- Explains that the library of congress has a bill of rights document, which is available at http://www.memory.loc.gov/const/bor.html. the united states department of justice.
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- Explains that the twentieth century is recognized as the commencement of the "progressive period", which indicates immense reform in the united states.
- Explains that the current percentage of support for the death penalty is 60%, according to another poll from gallup.
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- Analyzes how the supreme court ruled that the death penalty was unconstitutional in furman vs. georgia.
- Explains that the issue of capital punishment is controversial, profound, and tense, even today. the difficulty in deciding when the punishment becomes cruel and unusual has led to much dissention in the country.
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In this essay, the author
- Opines that the death penalty should be administered for particularly heinous crimes.
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- Opines that the lengthy appeals in death penalty cases frustrate everyone involved, from families of victims to prosecutors and investigators alike.
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In this essay, the author
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- Opines that the death penalty is the ultimate punishment imposed for murder or other capital offenses.
- Opines that a closer look into policies and procedures might be where our focus should be with the ongoing use of the death penalty in our country.
- Argues that the death penalty is a good way to assure the citizens of this country that someone who is going to kill again, like shawcross, will never be able to hurt another individual.
- Argues that the death penalty violates the constitutional ban against cruel and unusual punishment and guarantees of due process of law and equal protection under the law.
- Analyzes how the death penalty is a deterrent, and how it may lead to fairer criminal justice systems.
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- Analyzes how david von drehle addresses the controversial issue of the death penalty in the time article.
- Analyzes how von drehle informs readers about the five reasons why the death penalty is a flawed system by appealing to ethos and logos and using different ideas that pertain to the issue of the failing system.
- Analyzes how david von drehle explains the rising issue of the death penalty in the united states.
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- Analyzes how von drehle appeals to logos in his article to convince his audience that his reasons for abolishing the death penalty are logical.
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- Analyzes how von drehle is successful in educating his audience about the troubled system of the death penalty.
- Opines that von drehle's article strengthened their views and beliefs about the abolition of the death penalty.
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- States that the european convention on human rights has been ratified by 39 european states and signed by three others.
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- Explains that the governor of the us state of illinois, george ryan, declared a moratorium on executions in january 2000.
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In this essay, the author
- Analyzes liptak, adam, "does death penalty save lives?" the new york times.
- Opines that sharp, dudley, and justice for all, "death penalty paper." pro death penalty.
- Analyzes sharp, dudley, mental retardation and the death penalty.
- States that fear is used in the death penalty as a way to deter people from murder and provide justice for the victims.
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In this essay, the author
- Argues that the death penalty is cruel and unusual, but we still give constitutional acceptance to the federal system.
- Explains that the center of wrongful convictions studied the individual cases of 86 death row exonerees. the evidence pointing to those who are wrongfully accused is overwhelming.
- Argues that the death penalty is arbitrary since it isn't a requirement of justice in the punishment of murderers.
- Opines that capital punishment shows how america clings on to practices used from long ago. rehabilitation is better for the people than life-ending threats.
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that the debate over capital punishment in america is a controversial issue. david muhlhausen's article, "the death penalty deters crime and saves lives," states that 67 percent of americans still agree with it. jack greenberg disagrees with the system.
- Explains that muhlhausen's article shows that capital punishment helps in the prevention of crimes.
- Opines that capital punishment is a must in america and that all states should be using it. however, they feel that it is not used consistently enough, and if it were, it would be even better at reducing future crimes.
- Analyzes how mario m. cuomo believes there are too many inconsistencies within the system and many innocent people are convicted and sent to death row.
- Opines that race is a big issue when it comes to the controversial debate over capital punishment. cuomo claims that out of the last eighteen executions in new york, thirteen were african-american and one was hispanic.
- Explains that cuomo and greenberg state in their articles that capital punishment does not deter crime.
- Opines that life in prison is worse than being executed. they argue that capital punishment deters future crimes. both sides of the debate have valid arguments.
1136 wordsRead More - Persuasive Essay On Capital Punishmentopinion essayThe issue of capital punishment in the United States is a complicated and controversial one, one that is emotionally charged and morally perplexing. Some people believe that it is a necessary evil; the only punishment fit for the crimes that we as a society have come to abhor, and the only punishment that all criminals fear. Others see its continuing practice as a source of shame; a cruel, costly and archaic form of punishment that has no place in modern America. I feel THESIS – STILL WORKING
In this essay, the author
- Opines that capital punishment in the united states is emotionally charged and morally perplexing. some people believe it is a necessary evil, while others see it as an archaic form of punishment.
- Explains that capital punishment is more expensive than life without parole. california spends $137 million annually to house death-row prisoners and accommodate the appeal process.
- Argues that if execution did in fact deter crime and save lives, the cost would be justified. there are studies showing a distinct correlative relationship between execution rates and homicide rates.
- Opines that the death penalty is a violation of the constitution's 8th amendment. the process of execution is slow and full of pain and uncertainty for both victims and condemned.
- Explains that cameron todd willingham was executed in february 2004 for murdering his three young children by arson at the family home in corsicana, texas.
715 wordsRead More - Eliminating the Death Penaltyopinion essayA phrase commonly presented in American society, “An eye for an eye,” is used to represent the ideology of the death penalty in the US. The death penalty also known as capital punishment is defined as punishment by death for a crime. In its simplest form, it is “state sanctioned killing (Jones).” Recent facts show that as of, “April 1, 2010, there are approximately 3,260 individuals,” waiting for their execution date while on death row in the US (“Death Penalty”) .It has been reported that, “since 1973 over 130 people have been released from death row with evidence of their innocence (“Death Penalty”).” The execution of an innocent citizen, along with the violation of the, “cruel and unusual clause” and the extensive cost of killing an inmate are all plausible reasons why the death penalty should be eradicated.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the death penalty is defined as punishment by death for a crime in the us. since 1973, over 130 people have been released from death row with evidence of their innocence.
- Opines that killing innocent individuals in jail is enough reason to eliminate the death penalty. it is a subtle mistake to the court because courts do not generally entertain claims of innocence.
- Opines that many people feel that innocent individuals are compensated through money and with a meaningless apology, but does that honestly equate to the number of years that inmate has spent in prison?
- Opines that the death penalty violates the constitution through the use or threat of "cruel and unusual punishment."
- Argues that cruel and unusual punishment eliminates the chances of rehabilitation and ruins one's ability to be a well functioning member of society.
- Argues that the death penalty's elimination involves the finances necessary to conduct an execution.
- Opines that the cost of killing a death row inmate is certainly not the most economical option for dealing with the prisoners punishment.
- Concludes that the death penalty should be eliminated because innocent inmates stuck in prison on death row are being killed.
931 wordsRead More - Capital Punishmentanalytical essayIn 1997, 80% of Americans favored the death penalty. A recent national poll found that, that number has significantly dropped to an all time low of 63%percent. In addition, those favoring the death penalty dropped to fifty percent when those polled were asked to assume that the alternative to the death penalty was life in prison with no chance of parole. And, the amount of death sentences imposed in the United States during the recent years has dropped to the lowest level since capital punishment was reinstated. Hence, it would seem that our society’s attitude toward capital punishment is changing as well. What was once ordinary is now abnormal, and what was once essentially unquestioned is now questioned.The debate over the legitimacy or morality of the death penalty may be almost as old as the death penalty itself and, in the view of the increasing trend towards its complete abolition, perhaps as outdated. Capital punishment is horribly flawed, ineffective at deterring crime, completely unethical, outrageously expensive, and has no place in a civilized society.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the debate over the legitimacy or morality of the death penalty may be outdated.
- Argues that there is no credible evidence that the death penalty deters crime more effectively than long terms of imprisonment.
- Analyzes how the execution of an individual creates a hypocrisy, as most executions are for homicide. the desire for revenge is one of the lowest human emotions.
- Opines that a prison sentence can be shortened or even pardoned with ease. however, the death penalty is different and one-time decision.
- Argues that the death penalty is not enough for the crime that was committed.
- Opines that the poor are the ones who receive the death penalty the most, because of the type of defense they receive. the ethical question is whether the legal system is fair.
- Explains that out of all the individuals on death row about 50 percent are african-american. only three people have been executed under the death penalty in the modern era, two of them were racial minorities.
- Explains that death is an unusually severe punishment, unusual in its pain, finality, and enormity. it is inconsistent with the fundamental premise of the clause that even the vilest criminal remains a human being.
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