What is the evidence that the death penalty reduces serious crime?
It has been debated in Australia as foundless. The death penalty appeals to the mob instinct, and yes I've been part of the mob on occasions. But I know of no data that the death penalty has done anything to reduce, murder, rape or terrorism.

I personally like the image of people going to gaol for ever. The boredom, the abuse, the hoplessness .

I hope they rot

Cindy 

I do not like reading between lines when some writers suggest me deserving a severe punishment/ Capitol punishment.

The evidence is on a national level, number of murders per year increase with the lack of executions and decrease with the increase of executions.

That in itself proves it as a crime deterrent.

Citing that the states which have the death penalty are highest in crime is stupid: there's a reason they enacted it in the first place.  Find evidence that after it was enacted that crime went up and then you'll have a case.

Quote from: DarkLady on May 09, 2009, 07:44:29 PM
For lisagurl: look western democracies in Europe, Australia, NZ, Canada.
Seems to me that the US is only real western democracy nowdays using the Capitol punishment.

Look at population. More of the earths people live in areas that have the DP. The world has too many people anyway.

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Post Merge: May 10, 2009, 10:15:19 AM

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In a true sense we are not a democracy. We are closer to a Federal republic.

After reading what Pam's House Blend had to say, this additional sentence makes complete sense.  One way to view the sentence is to break it down into its components:
--Life without parole is for the murder itself;
--commission of a bias-related crime added 12 years;
--identity theft added 24 years; and
--aggravated motor vehicle theft added 24 years.

It is a relief to see Angie's family -- like Angie herself -- finally receive the kind of response from the justice system they need to begin healing.