Del Valle

Edel Del Valle

Professor Massey

ENC1101

12/04/17

Capital Punishment: A necessary evil.

Introduction: The death sentence has always been a polemic topic, there are many sides

and arguments on why it should, or should not be allowed. When asked if I believe the death

penalty should still be a form of punishment, I cannot say that, if a criminal has committed such

a terrible crime deserving of death, I would not want the death penalty to be served. Capital

punishment is reserved for the most terrible and unspeakable crimes, for those criminals

unworthy of the luxury that is being given another chance. It is not a sentence to be taken lightly,

but it is needed to serve as an enforcement to the belief of justice and retribution.

I. Topic sentence: This form of justice is not to be taken lightly, only the worst of

the worst are sentenced, reflected by their crimes.

A. " This is not, as some critics argue, a kind of state-run lottery that randomly

chooses an unlucky few for the ultimate penalty from among all those convicted

of murder. Rather, the capital punishment system is a filter that selects the worst

of the worst..."

B. "...less than death would fail to do justice because the penalty presumably a

long period in prison would be grossly disproportionate to the heinousness of

the crime."
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C. "We reserve the death penalty in the United States for the most heinous murders

and the most brutal and conscienceless murderers."

II. Topic sentence: In some cases, like one petitioner since put to death for raping

and murdering an 11month-old baby, asked a court to nullify their sentences as

'cruel and unusual' under the Eighth Amendment.

A. "They rely on this provision because it is the only provision they can rely on"

B. "The reason is obvious: It is impossible to hold unconstitutional that which the

Constitution explicitly contemplates..."

C. "I would not presume to tell parents whose life has been forever altered by the

brutal murder of a child that life imprisonment is punishment enough."

III. Topic sentence: Some crimes are so terribly wrong that they demand strict

penalties up to and including life sentences or even death. Most Americans

recognize this principle as just...

A. "... the majority of studies that track effects over many years and across states or

counties find a deterrent effect."

B. "other recent investigations, using a variety of samples and statistical methods,

consistently demonstrate a strong link between executions and reduced murder

rates..."

C. "... In short, capital punishment does, in fact, save lives."

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Conclusion: In closure, I believe the death sentence is a necessary evil. Incarcerating

murderers for life is only going to have one effect, having murderers caged in a system where

survival of the fittest is their everyday life, and with nothing to lose, you best believe they will

kill again. I can say without a doubt in my mind, if someone kills an innocent person, and the

evidence is undoubtable or confessed, execution is the last, but needed resort. For me the death

sentence is a necessary and constant reminder, that if you take innocent peoples life's, you will

pay with your own. It is understandable that people have different opinions, life is the most

valuable thing, and the death sentence is not taken lightly by those who impose it.