NCJ Number
58869
Date Published
1979
Length
284 pages
Annotation
PROFILES OF EIGHT CONDEMNED MURDERERS, ANALYSES OF COURT DECISIONS, AND SOCIOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS ARE PRESENTED IN THIS BOOK ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.
Abstract
THERE ARE NO EASY SOLUTIONS TO THE ADJUDICATION OF MAJOR CRIMINAL CASES, PARTICULARLY WHEN CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IS A POSSIBLE SENTENCE FOR THE CONVICTED DEFENDANT. THE U.S. SUPREME COURT HAS UPHELD THE USE OF THE DEATH PENALTY, AND MANY STATES HAVE PASSED STATUTES WHICH PROVIDE FOR EXECUTION. MORAL AND RELIGIOUS ARGUMENTS CAN BE MADE BOTH FOR AND AGAINST THE USE OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, AND LEGAL DEBATE CONCERNING THE APPLICABILITY OF THE EIGHTH AMENDMENT TO CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IS UNRESOLVED. AN EXAMINATION OF EIGHT MEN SENTENCED TO DEATH INDICATES THAT THE MOST COMMON CHARACTERISTIC OF CONDEMNED MEN IS NOT THE HEINOUSNESS OF THEIR CRIMES, BUT RATHER THE INADEQUACY OF THEIR TRIAL DEFENSE. MOST CONDEMNED CRIMINALS MAY ALSO BE CHARACTERIZED AS POOR AND UNSTABLE. THE METHODS USED FOR EXECUTION ARE BEING CHANGED AS SEVERAL STATES REASSESS THE COST AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THEIR GAS CHAMBERS AND ELECTRIC CHAIRS. RATHER THAN SPEND THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS NEEDED FOR SUCH FACILITIES, SOME STATES ARE ELECTING TO ADMINISTER THE DEATH PENALTY THROUGH INJECTIONS OF SODIUM THIOPENTAL AND POTASSIUM CYANIDE. WHATEVER THE RATIONALE FOR THE USE OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, WHETHER FOR RETRIBUTION OR PREVENTION OF FUTURE CRIMES, THE ELEMENT OF DETERRENCE HAS BEEN LARGELY DISCREDITED. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ANY DEBATE ON THE DEATH PENALTY NOT FAIL TO CONSIDER THE CONDEMNED INMATES AS HUMAN BEINGS. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK).