The death penalty is probably the most controversial subject in the criminal justice system. It has a wide variety of complex pros and cons. 77% of Americans polled said they supported the death penalty. That number as you can see is definitely the majority. But out of those 77% would actually carry out the sentence if it was in their hands. The taking of ones life is a very sensitive matter and no one can actually say they would or would not unless they were in that position themselves. I believe most people like the idea of the death sentence or the threat of death to be a deterrent, but hesitate to carry it out. America has killed 4,016 death row inmates in its history. That number is no comparison with the number of murderers in the prisons now. .
To get the death penalty in America there are some requirements one must meet.
• One must be convicted of capital murder.
• Both mitigating and aggravating circumstances were considered before imposing the death sentence.
• Sentence is not discriminatory towards race or other acceptable criteria.
Now when I am asked my position on the death penalty, I find myself at a loss of decisiveness. I have to honestly reply that I am not sure! I have two totally different views on the situations of the offense. .
First and foremost I don't believe that any judge nor jury has the power to decide that another individual should be put to death, that is so monarchial. In deciding that this person should die and sentencing the person to death they are becoming murderers themselves. In the worst case scenario let the victims" family decide on what they want to do. I figure that maybe the person who committed the murder will be punished accordingly to god, not other human beings with flaws of their own. In being a Christian and believing in Christianity I feel that breaking one of the ten commandments is a sin, so god will handle the individual in time.