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Professor Gomez
Elias Panzardi
Death penalty, reliable
punishment/consequence?
September 2, 2016

Memorandum
Description of Topic
Using stasis theory, the topic I choose is, How do we know the death penalty system is a reliable
Punishment/consequence for criminals. U.S is one of the countries with the highest murder rates, although we
use the death penalty. Studies show how the death penalty, in certain states, stops potential murders. Yet other
studies show it doesnt even phase these insane murders. There are ongoing arguments and controversies about
whether or not a criminal should be killed as punishment for their crimes. Lifetime imprisonment to certain
people is already enough punishment to give to a murderer, others believe it is not enough punishment and the
only way to make the murderers pay is by execution. There is no middle ground for this issue; we have either
those who are for the death penalty, and those who wish to abolish the cruel system.
Reason for choosing topic
Thousands of innocent citizens are being plead guilty for crimes they didnt even commit. My reason for
choosing this topic is because our judicial system is faulty and man made, and man makes mistakes all the time.
Whos to say we havent made a horrible mistake and sentenced an innocent soul to their death? Spending a
lifetime in prison seems to be enough of a consequence for even the worst criminals. Deciding to use death to
punish a criminal such as a murderer, doesnt make us any better than the murderer does it? There are others
that believe even the death penalty is not enough of a punishment for murderers. Feuds continuously rage on
about whether or not we can depend on the death penalty as a fair consequence for even the worst of the worst
criminals on earth.
Relation to Degree
I have yet to settle on a degree plan, but since my senior year in high school I have been researching certain
careers and degrees to see what I am interested in. Criminal psychologist, among other choices, interested me.
The idea of working with criminals and being able to dig deep into their mind and see what theyre really
thinking just intrigued me. Possibly uncovering the reasoning as to why they committed such crimes, or if they
even committed the crimes can be very fulfilling. Knowing you just saved some ones life or if they were guilty
if you helped them find peace can mean the world too someone and be very rewarding. So although I may not
know what I want to be, I have always found interest in working with the law and discovering the depths of a
criminals mentality and stability.
Sources
http://deathpenaltycurriculum.org/student/c/about/arguments/arguments.PDF
http://www.capitalpunishmentuk.org/thoughtsUS.html