o decide with each individual case. In this situation, this is where the question of cruel punishment, or effective deterrent comes into light. The financial problems are extreme because the United States has spent over 2 billion dollars for the execution of inmates on death row. The average execution costs about 3 million dollars and up to 10 million in some cases (www.law.about.com).One other reason why people oppose the death penalty is because of the way the media portrays the death penalty. One case in particular involves a man on death row named Mumia Abu-Jamal. Jamal is on death row for killing Officer Daniel Faulkner in 1981. The scenario is, Jamal was standing on a street corner, when his brother was pulled over by Officer Faulkner. When Jamals brother was asked to step out of the car, he punched Faulkner in the face. When Jamal saw this, he ran across the street and shot the Officer twice, once in the back, and once between his eyes. The amazing part to this story is, Mumia is still on death row, 9 years after numerous eyewitnesses testified to seeing this whole episode. Now you may ask yourself why he is still on death row. Personally, I feel that the media is giving out false information so people do not get the true story. If the death penalty were instituted, the media would never have a chance to misinform the public, and it would serve as a lesson to future murderers.People who support the death penalty believe it is effective for several reasons. One reason is that execution protects the public by preventing a criminal from ever murdering again. A murderer serving time in jail could escape, kill another inmate or prison guard, and even be released into society. The prisoner could get out of prison and murder someone else. The average time served on a life sentence is about six years. After their sentence, they could be released and cause threats to society once again. Six years is certainly not enough ti...
