The death penalty has not remained constant throughout American History . ... The death penalty has been in our legal system since our legal system was created, but still remains one of the most controversial punishments in United States history. ...
In elections, southern states used poll taxes, literacy tests, and other means to deprive blacks of their voting rights. The Civil Rights Act of 1960 provided for the appointment of referees to help blacks register to vote, likewise the Voting Rights Act of 1965 outlawed literacy test in many southern states. ...
Cothern analyzes the history of Supreme Court decisions in relation to capital punishment as well as an in depth view of juveniles sentenced to death. The criteria for sentencing a juvenile to death is evaluating the seriousness of the crime, the maturity of the juvenile and their environment, the juvenile's history, and the possibility for rehabilitation of the juvenile as well as the public safety issues. ... The juvenile death penalty has been subject to national debate and Cothern describes the history of the death penalty that has authorized 20,000 executions over the last 350 yea...
"In an execution in this country the test ought not to be reasonable doubt; the test ought to be is there any doubt." ... According to Oprah Winfrey's website which showcased Williams" story, journalism professor David Protess gave his students the assignment because he believed that "the case involving Dennis Williams was the worst miscarriage of justice in Illinois history" ("Past Shows"). ... Later a DNA test would exonerate Williams and the other men. ...
Gary Ridgway is one of the most notorious serial killers in United States History, being convicted of 48 rapes and murder, while also having admitted to over 30 more. ... In school, he was not a good student, and even had is IQ tested at a young age to see if he had a learning disability. ... At two million dollars, the Green River murder investigation became the most expensive murder investigation in United States history. ...
Imagine a psychological test for high school students where it is shown that those who fail are as likely to commit a future crime as are those arrested for having committed that crime in the past. ... If it is right to kill to prevent a future crime, then we are just as justified to kill 4 those students who failed the test, as we are those who have committed the murder. ... Teens are very easily influenced and their actions have a lot to do with their family history and environment. ...
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? ...
