The Monstrosity of Capital Punishment

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Capital Punishment is a monstrosity due to the fact that it has unconstitutionally murdered innocent people. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, “Since 1973, over 140 people have been released from death row in 26 states because of innocence. Nationally, at least one person is exonerated for every 10 that are executed” (“Case”). The death penalty can be traced back to its ancient roots in the Code of King Hammurabi of Babylon (“Part”). The Code of King Hammurabi was a list that contained the 282 laws of Babylon; the most notorious law from this code called for an eye-for-an-eye approach to justice. This law basically stated that what one did to another, would be done unto him ("Hammurabi"). This is similar to the “Golden Rule,” which tells people to “Treat others as you would want to be treated,” however the Golden Rule is not quite as severe and gruesome as the Hammurabi Code. Although it is believed by some that capital punishment is a useful and humane way to carry out retribution for victims, death should never be a substitute for justice because the death penalty encourages civilians to take the law into their own hands, it merely condones revenge, and furthermore it has yet to be proven that it actually deters criminals from committing capital crimes. Death penalty permanently prevents one criminal from ever harming another person again, however it does not guarantee that all persons involved with the criminal’s death are protected from people who are seeking retribution for the life of the criminal that was taken by the state. In some cases the legalization of Capital Punishment may provide citizens with the justification they need to take the law into their own hands and take another’s life in order to acqu... ... middle of paper ... .... Global Issues In Context. Web. 23 Jan. 2013. "The Case Against the Death Penalty." American Civil Liberties Union. N.p., 11 Dec. 2012. Web. 04 Feb. 2013. "Death Penalty: Deterrence." Death Penalty : Deterrence. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2013. "Death Penalty Statistics." Statistic Brain RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Feb. 2013. "Hammurabi." CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA:. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Feb. 2013. "NCADP: Devoted to Abolishing Capital Punishment." NCADP. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2013. "Part I: History of the Death Penalty." Death Penalty Information Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Jan. 2013. "Top 10 Pros and Cons - Death Penalty - ProCon.org." Top 10 Pros and Cons - Death Penalty - ProCon.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Jan. 2013. "Update: Death Penalty." Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 1 Apr. 2004. Web. 5 Feb. 2013.

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