Ivan Dawkins – 5th

 

ROUGH DRAFT

While some people believe that the death penalty is a good law, many do not share the

same opinion. To some, supporters of the death penalty are no different than murderers. It is a

pre-meditated, calculated decision to end another human’s life. How is that any different from

the horrific crimes committed by a psychopathic serial killer? The death penalty is wrong

because it is everyone’s constitutional right to live, some people on death row are innocent, and

it increases the destruction and negativity unleashed by the original crime killing people with

families.

The constitution of the United States declares “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Everyone deserves to live no matter the crimes he or she has committed.  – Whether it is robbery,

theft, or even murder – no one deserves to die. Christians believe that if God can forgive you for

anything and everything, humans should follow Christ’s example and forgive someone for

murder. Now death penalty advocates say, “Criminals lost the right to live once they committed

the crime.” But in our constitution man has unalienable rights that cannot be taken from him.

Life, the very first of those rights, is protected by the Constitution of the United States.

Therefore, it is unconstitutional to take a persons life.

Next, there are innocent men & women on death row sentenced to die based on

circumstantial evidence. In the recent case of Troy Davis, he was convicted of murdering an off-

duty policeman working security at a restaurant. Seven of the nine witnesses recanted their

statements saying, the police officers made them lie at the court hearing. Even after the court

heard the witnesses recant their testimony, the refused to change Davis’ sentence or even grant a

 

new trial. Instead, they killed him while he used his last breathe to utter that he didn’t do it. Some

might argue, “If the courts even considering the death penalty, the person is for sure guilty.” 

Realistically, how can one be absolutely guilty unless caught red-handed? T he death penalty isn’t

the answer.

Finally, the death penalty increases the destruction and negativity unleashed by the

original crime. How many families have been destroyed because of the death penalty? How

many dads have been killed? How many moms? Sons? How many daughters? Killing some

people you are killing parents and children. Some kids grow up without their parents because of 

the death penalty. This could potential raise a kid just like their parent.

The death penalty is wrong. The Constitution grants everyone the right to live.

Additionally, some people on death row are innocent, and it increases the destruction and

negativity unleashed by the original crime. The death penalty negatively affects the families of 

the death row inmates. Why is the country going law against its own constitution? What if the

criminal is innocent? Why increase the wrong by more doing wrong? Stop using the death

penalty. Sign petitions. Protests. March. Speak out and speak up. Do anything you can to

eliminate the death penalty. Remember, two wrongs don’t make a right.