NCJ Number
75701
Journal
Christianity and Crisis Volume: 40 Dated: (June 1980) Pages: 191-195
Date Published
1980
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Arguments against the death penalty are presented in this appeal to the Alabama legislature to abolish capital punishment.
Abstract
That capital punishment does not deter crime is illustrated through a number of examples in which offenders appeared to be fully aware of the legal consequences of their crimes. For example, an inmate electrician, who installed an electric chair at a prison, later killed a policeman and was executed in that same chair. Furthermore, the death penalty is bound to be applied to innocent people regardless of the strength of various safeguards against such events. In addition to those persons who have already been proven innocent after being executed are others whose innocence will never be established since law enforcement personnel do not investigate cases once an execution has been held. The prospect of executing the insane must also be considered. Often, offenders receive only perfunctory examinations which fail to reveal mental disorders, or insane offenders are executed because of public outrage against their crimes. Where the death penalty is condoned and recognized as a legitimate form of punishment, the potential is also present for its misuse as a political weapon when faced in the wrong hands. For example, overzealous prosecutors and other politicians may use this penalty as a means of seeking higher political office. In addition, capital punishment is often discriminately applied. Members of minorities, the poor, the friendless, the uneducated, and those considered 'different' are more likely to be executed than are other persons. Finally, this penalty represents the use of law for vengeance. Numerous anecdotes are provided. Footnotes or references are not included.