ted. One person make think capital punishment is cruel and unusual, why others may think not. In 1972, the Supreme Court declared the death penalty cruel and unusual, and therefore unconstitutional. It was soon reactivated in 1976 by 35 states. People have tried to influence decisions on the death penalty. For example, the Pope has played a role in the decision of death penalty. The Pope decided a criminals life and a criminal was sentence to life in jail instead of the electric chair. Many people that are innocent have been sentence to death. The possibilty of an innocent being convicted of murder and put to death in America is growing. The risk of executing innocent people far outweighs any good that can come from capital punishment. Some argue that capital is a deterrent of crimes. Studies show, however, that states with the death penalty have a higher crime and murder rate than those without. Harry Blackman, a death penalty oppenent, stated "Innocent persons havebeen executed and will continue to be excuted," explaining why he could no longer support the death penalty. Also Isidore Zimmerman, came within 2hours of execution for a murder he didn't commit. Citing this, death penalty opponents claim that the danger of a terrible mistake capital punishment intolerable. Cost is often comes up when the penalty is mentioned. Those in favor of the death penalty say the government shouldn't waste its money on guarding, feeding, and housing a depraved criminal for the rest of his or her life. The truth is, however, that itcosts much more to put a prisoner to death than to keep a prisoner in jail. It cost about 2 to 3 million dollars to sentence someone to death and keep them on death row for 8years. The same cost to keep 3 prisoners in a maximum security prison for 40 years. Opponents use this as a contridiction. Race is a big issue in death sentencing although not admitted. Theres still alot of hard decision making wh...
