The Death Penalty

[High EGT]

This should raise some BP's

A series of academic studies over the last half-dozen years that claim to settle a once hotly debated argument — whether the death penalty acts as a deterrent to murder. The analyses say yes. They count between three and 18 lives that would be saved by the execution of each convicted killer.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,280215,00.html

[Lenny]

It's the same situation as the man-made global weather change debate. If you're a progressive you disagree with the findings and say "Bush stole the White House in 2000!" as your justification.

[Charles]

Why do people keep pushing the deterrent factor? If someone is convicted unquestionably of first degree murder, there is no circumstantial evidence involved, execute him/her. "Life" sentences are a sham and that person will never have the opportunity to murder again. Deterring other bad people has nothing to do with it, bad people don't pay attention.

[SamSpade]

Originally Posted by Charles

Why do people keep pushing the deterrent factor? If someone is convicted unquestionably of first degree murder, there is no circumstantial evidence involved, execute him/her. "Life" sentences are a sham and that person will never have the opportunity to murder again. Deterring other bad people has nothing to do with it, bad people don't pay attention.

Of course it's a deterrent - executed people NEVER do it again.

I still like the quote from DJ - that you don't put down a rabid dog as a deterrent for other dogs.

[Larry Gude (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Charles

Why do people keep pushing the deterrent factor? If someone is convicted unquestionably of first degree murder, there is no circumstantial evidence involved, execute him/her. "Life" sentences are a sham and that person will never have the opportunity to murder again. Deterring other bad people has nothing to do with it, bad people don't pay attention.

...is a valid part of a public policy debate. I don't think it is the main focus; fair punishment for and individuals actions, but it is a part of the equation. We fine people for speeding to get them to stop and to deter others from doing it. Some people still speed, but, if it was $5 for speeding it's reasonable to figure more people will speed.

I love this;

A 2003 study he co-authored, and a 2006 study that re-examined the data, found that each execution results in five fewer homicides, and commuting a death sentence means five more homicides. "The results are robust, they don't really go away," he said. "I oppose the death penalty. But my results show that the death penalty (deters) — what am I going to do, hide them?"

That is a fair, rational person right there. Anti death people need to start taking responsibility for the deaths they help facilitate, based on pure science and facts.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by SamSpade

I still like the quote from DJ - that you don't put down a rabid dog as a deterrent for other dogs.

Good analogy.

[jetmonkey]

I did a study on this back in the late 80s that conlcuded that there is virtually no effect on homicide rates one way or the other, but crime in general did increase after a highly profile execution. At least I think. Got a good grade on it anyway.

[High EGT]

I've always been a proponent of the death penalty regardless of whether it was a deterrent but the argument from those that appose the practice have always pounded the point that its not or ever has been a deterrent. Regardless, I dont see opponents changing their opinions since the moral argument is still legitimate as long as its not hypocritical (i.e.) Oppose the death penalty but support abortion.

[High EGT]

Originally Posted by jetmonkey

I did a study on this back in the late 80s that conlcuded that there is virtually no effect on homicide rates one way or the other, but crime in general did increase after a highly profile execution. At least I think. Got a good grade on it anyway.

You might get a disagreement from someone whose visited or are from certain counties like Saudi Arabia who practice public executions.

[edinsomd]

Originally Posted by Charles

Why do people keep pushing the deterrent factor? If someone is convicted unquestionably of first degree murder, there is no circumstantial evidence involved, execute him/her. "Life" sentences are a sham and that person will never have the opportunity to murder again. Deterring other bad people has nothing to do with it, bad people don't pay attention.

What do you have against circumstantial evidence? For example, I hear a gunshot, and open a door. There you stand with a smoking gun in your hand, and a dead body is on the floor. I didn't actually see you pull the trigger, but the circumstances leave little doubt as to what occurred.
Ed