rther evidence proved unfairness in capital cases as reported by the U.S. General Accounting Office. The GAO results of its review concluded that of the 28 studies there was a "pattern of evidence indicating racial disparities in the charging, sentencing, and imposition of the death penalty. And that the "race of victim influence was found at all stages of the criminal justice system process" (Dieter 144). One can conclude then, that in the courts of the nation, even today, the murder of a white person is treated much more severely than the murder of a black person. Therefore, it can be noted that our criminal system reserves the death penalty for those murders (regardless of their race) that kill white victims (Dieter 145). 88 percent of all executions since 1930 have been for murder (Warner). Gender and socio-economic class also aid in the discrimination of who will receive a death sentence to be executed. Only one percent of those on death row were women, although women commit about 15 percent of all criminal homicides (NCADP). Only 33 women, of whom 12 were black, have been executed in the United States since 1930. Fairness in capital cases requires most especially, a competent counsel for the defense. Yet, about 90 percent of those on death row were not able to afford a lawyer when tired. The most common characteristics among death row defendants are poverty, lack of social community, and inadequate legal representation at trial or on appeal (NCADP). The above flaws in the actual administration of capital punishment are only one of the clear reasons for abolition. In the judgement of the fair- minded and unprejudiced "capital punishment is a power that cannot be exercised fairly and without discrimination" (Smart).Therefore, we cannot put human lives in the hands of flawed system, for society will suffer the consequences, as well as the victims. Unlike all other criminal punishments, the death penalty is irreversible. ...
