NCJ Number
48835
Date Published
1977
Length
0 pages
Annotation
OPPOSING VIEWS ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE DEATH PENALTY, ITS MORALITY, AND ITS DETERRENT EFFECTS ARE PRESENTED IN THIS CASSETTE TAPE.
Abstract
IN THIS TAPE, THE CHRISTIAN CENTURY (A CHICAGO, ILL., WEEKLY NEWSPAPER) OPPOSES THE DEATH PENALTY AND CITIES THE GARY GILMORE EXECUTION AS AN UNUSUAL CASE. THE PAPER TAKES THE POSITION THAT THE MAJORITY OF THOSE ON DEATH ROW WOULD LIKE TO LIVE, AND STATES THAT ALTHOUGH THERE WERE MANY EXECUTIONS IN THE PAST, THE LAWS FOR THE DEATH PENALTY HAVE BECOME MORE RESTRICTIVE AND JURIES ARE NO LONGER EAGER TO IMPOSE THIS PENALTY. THE ARGUMENT IS MADE THAT THE DEATH PENALTY DOES NOT AFFECT THE INCIDENCE OF MURDER AND THAT ALL WESTERN DEMOCRACIES WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE UNITED STATES HAVE ABOLISHED IT. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT EXECUTIONS SHOULD BE TELEVISED TO DRAMATIZE THEIR IMPACT. M. STANTON EVANS, SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE DEATH PENALTY, STATES THAT IT DOES HAVE A DETERRENT EFFECT, AND MAINTAINS THAT IF THE PENALTY IS IMPOSED MORE OFTEN, THE NUMBER OF HOMICIDES WILL DECLINE. IT IS HIS ARGUMENT THAT WHENEVER THE DEATH PENALTY IS ABOLISHED, THE HOMICIDE RATE GOES UP. FROM 1930-1955, THERE WAS A STEADY DECLINE IN THE HOMICIDE RATE, BECAUSE MOST STATES HAD THE DEATH PENALTY LAWS WHICH WERE ENFORCED. HE ARGUED THAT IN 1968, WHEN THE DEATH PENALTY WAS ABOLISHED IN ALL THE STATES, THE HOMICIDE RATE CLIMBED BY 200 PERCENT. THE QUESTION OF THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE DEATH PENALTY IS MENTIONED AND THE STATEMENT IS MADE THAT IT SHOULD PROBABLY NOT BE CONSIDERED CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT BECAUSE THERE IS A SPECIAL REFERENCE TO IT IN THE CONSTITUTION. (BAC)