The Death Penalty

The Death PenaltyKelsey Harris

September 1,2011English 12

Why oppose the Death Penalty

Capital punishment has been around for centuries. However, a long history does not give anyone the right to sentence a person to death based upon their crime.

The Starting of Death In biblical times capital punishment was by means of stoning

someone to death The crime however, was the worst possible, unlike today.

THENNOW

Stoning Hanging Firing squad

Lethal Gas Lethal Injection Electrocution

Capital Punishments

GAS CHAMBER

1924-first introduction of lethal gas

VIRGINIA

Theresa Lewis-the first woman to be executed in VA by lethal injection.

Purpose of the Death Penalty

The Death Penalty serves two purposes:› Deterrence of capital crimes to be committed › Retribution of crime

7.1 years : average time spent on death row › Death sentences take years to conclude› This wait traumatizes the victim’s family

Anti-Death Row

With the waiting of a sentence, the focus is taken from the victim and their family, to the criminal and the courts.

Anti-Death-Row

Capital Punishment Facts 1940s-death penalty was declared ILLEGAL 1976-Capital Punishment reinstated1977-NO death penalty as punishment for rape of an adult woman that is not murdered

December 7,1982-Charles Brooks became the first person executed by lethal injection

1984-Velma Barfield, first woman to be executed

NO MATTER THE CRIME THEY ALWAYS HAVE AN EXCUSE.

1986-Banned execution of insane persons

1994-Gov.Allen, allowed victim’s families to view execution

Youngest to be executed, 16 year old Percy Ellis Oldest to be executed, 68 year old Joe Lee

No Limit On Death

$$$$ COST $$$ $11 million a year for death row

system

Where does the money come from?

US tax payers Every time taxes are increased

someone new is added to death row

Since 1973, 138 people have been released from death row

Innocent in Prison

What else can be done with all that money?! Violence prevention Solving unsolved

cases Increasing service

for victim’s and their families

Oppose It Who has the right to take a life

Can’t justify a wrong with a wrong

Find a Cure “Can’t cure murder with murder”