With the birth of man comes the birth of crime and hence with the birth of crime is the origin of punishment. Punishments vary based on the seriousness of the offense; robbery can result to months in prison and murder can lead to the death of the convicted man. Many Americans share the same attitude that the convicted must pay for his misdeeds to society. However, should the convicted pay with his life? Should he give up his right to live because of his offense? ...
In 1695, Captain George Kendall became the first adult to be executed in the Jamestown colony of Virginia. ... Thirteen exonerations of people sentenced to death in Illinois - including three provoked by a journalism class at Northwestern University - prompted Governor George Ryan, a Republican, to declare a moratorium on executions in that state. ...