The Death Penalty Intro.

The poet Hyman Barshay once said, The death penalty is a warning, just like a lighthouse throwing its beams out to sea. We hear about shipwrecks, but we do not hear about the ships the lighthouse guides safely on their way. We do not have proof of the number of ships it saves, but we do not tear the lighthouse down. Unlike the lighthouse ... the DP is in danger ... There are several reasons why the death penalty should NOT be removed from the justice system. One, it acts as a greater deterrent than a LWOP. Two, it is upheld by our constitution. And three, it is our moral obligation.

I.

Firstly, I think agree ... to deter crime. W/o punishment keep unruly, no order. 1. However, 1 big questions about DP is whether it deters crime more LWOP 2. Some say does, other say doesnt 3. It obvious criminals prefer LWOP 4. According to Ernest van den Haag in the book The Death Penalty: A Debate, 99% of inmates on death row plead for LWOP B. Statistics dont support either side 1. One 1 hand we have deathpenaltyinfo.org, which says states with DP 2. On other hand, Isaac Ehrlich, professor at the State University of New York 3. In article, The Deterrent Effect of Capital Punishment: A Question of Life and Death, he says that the DP does reduce

4. Unfortunately, hard produce good unbiased statistics because there are too many factors 5. In sum, you cant use inconsistent statistical evidence condemn moral action, and common sense tells us DP is a better deterrent. II. Death Penalty Constitutional A. Secondly, many abolitionists of DP argue unconstitutional. They argue several grounds 1. 1, say it violates the V amendment. However, V amendment states, you cannot deprive people of life, liberty, or property w/o due process of law. 2. 2, abolitionists argue DP is unconstitutional because it is cruel and unusual. 3. However, DP is not cruel. Methods of execution, such as lethal injections & lethal gas are quick and painless, better than most natural deaths. 4. Nor is DP unusual. The criminal is either going to be locked in cell until he dies, or executed, till he dies. III. inal. 1. First, look at victim, victims family. Family of victim years to recover from loss, and rarely, if ever, recover fully. 2. If criminal put in prison leaves 1 more thing haunt mourners 3. DP provides some closure for victims family, bringing about end of horrible chapter of their lives. 4. Now, lets look morality of justice system, letting punishment 5. In perfect justice, all punishments forms restitution. Victims robbery would be given back possessions + some, victims of assault be given compensation. Last question about DP is question of morality. Two sided. Looks both victim & crim-

6. Unfortunately, we prison based punishment system, Prison sentences given out rehabilitate inmates in hope that when released be benefit to society instead of hinderance. 7. However, in case of murder, only punishment fit crime is DP. 8. Victims life cannot be given back, LWOP isnt releasing anyone, so rehabilitation is of no import Conclusion To recap, the death penalty cannot be removed because of the lack of statistical evidence that it is not a deterrent, and common knowledge tells us that it is. Nor can the death penalty be called unconstitutional. The writers of our Constitution had full knowledge of it, and it did not bother them. Lastly, the death penalty is the moral obligation of society. It helps ensure civilization does not devolve into a barbaric rabble.