Supporters of the death penalty claim that it saves lives because murderers sentenced to life imprisonment will kill other prisoners and guards, and that if released by pardon or parole will likely kill again. These assumptions seem reasonable. Those who oppose capital punishment note that available evidence does not support this argument. The overwhelming majority of homicides that occur in prisons occur in death penalty states. Parolees from sentences for willful homicide are not the most likely to murder again. People paroled from sentences from armed robbery, aggravated assault, and rape are more homicidal than those incarcerated for willful homicide. .
The third argument advocated by those supporting capital punishment is based on the utilitarian view that it is cheaper to execute than to incarcerate. This argument also has a number of flaws noted by those who oppose capital punishment. Murder trials are very costly, often lasting weeks. If prison industries give the opportunity to a life-termer, he or she can support himself and contribute to the maintenance of dependents. Those who oppose capital punishment ask how far the argument of economy can be carried. Should we execute all prisoners who are not self-supporting? The humanitarian feelings of the American public would not tolerate mass executions for economic reasons. .
What would Jesus do? Apparently some Christians do not realize that Jesus and Jehova are one and the same. Jesus was not a prophet with new insights for living, He was God in the flesh "the same God who gave us the Ten Commandments, and who said, "Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God, He made man- (Genesis 9:6). That is not to be confused with the Sixth Commandment, which in the King James Version reads, "Thou shalt not kill."" The proper translation of the Hebrew word is found in the New King James Version, which read, "You shall not murder.